Longevity peach

A longevity peach, or shoutao, is a type of lotus seed bun, sometimes with a filling made of red bean paste or lotus paste. It is white with a red dyed tip with a crease along the side, mimicking the shape of a peach. Occasionally, bakers add green decorations that mimic leaves.^[1] The longevity peach is a representation of Peaches of Immortality. According to Chinese folk legends, these peaches ripen every thousands of years, and grant immortality to humans when consumed.^[2]

Longevity peaches, with sweet lotus paste inside

Shoutao in a bamboo steamer

Longevity peach
Traditional Chinese	壽桃
Simplified Chinese	寿桃
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin shòu táo Hakka Pha̍k-fa-sṳ su thò Yue: Cantonese Jyutping sau6 tou4 Southern Min Hokkien POJ siū-thô Eastern Min Fuzhou BUC sêu tò̤

The pastry is typically served at the birthdays of elderly people to celebrate their achievement in having reached old age.^[2]

See also

• List of buns
• List of steamed foods