The difference between Yuanxiao and Tangyuan: Why does Yuanxiao shake out?

The method is different: jiaozi is wrapped, and the skin is slippery and sticky. Yuanxiao is rolled out, and the skin is dry and soft.

Most of the Lantern Festival in the north is to prepare stuffing first and make small balls. Then put the stuffing ball into a sieve filled with glutinous rice, add water and shake it constantly, and the glutinous rice will stick to the stuffing ball like a snowball.

Some areas in the south will eat glutinous rice balls during the Spring Festival, winter solstice and other solar terms. However, the Lantern Festival is easy to crack after a few days or freezing, so usually only the north can make it on the spot and sell it on the same day, which is more festive.

The key word is glutinous rice flour. Many people think they are synonyms. Generally, it is called Yuanxiao in the north and Tangyuan in the south (I'm from Heilongjiang, also called Tangyuan).