Golden Honey Grapefruit with Pineapple
I must
admit I get totally confused with the multitude of mooncake varieties. Every
year, new ones emerge that reflect the current trends, kinda like the latest
Paris fashions. Some flavour pairings are so outlandish that my brain can’t
compute their compability until I taste how the flavours work together. Despite
doing so many mooncake tastings for the past few years, I confess I never
ventured for a taste of the Tai Thong varieties.
Grapefruit version has a pineapple jam filling
After tasting my first batch of their baked skin mooncakes, I admit
I should have looked a bit closer at this established restaurant backed with 20
years of mooncake experience. All the baked varieties have soft supple skins
paired with interesting flavours – the
work of Chef Yiu Weng Keung. I didn’t manage to sample their snowskin varieties
but I understand Tai Thong uses imported flour from Hong Kong to get the soft
texture for the mooncake. Unlike other places, their snowskin mooncakes also
goes through a steaming process to prevent any bacteria growth. Emphasis has
also been placed on the production of the mooncakes using stringent quality
controls and manufacturing techniques that are in compliance with HACCP food
regulations. The traditional delight is preservative-free with no added
artificial colourings and flavourings. Certified halal by Jakim, they’re good
for Raya gifts.
Four seasons aluminium boxes
This year’s theme focuses on the
four seasons (spring, summer, autumn, winter) from its packaging to the different
flavours. The four-piece mooncake boxes
all depict a whimsical drawing showing a different Mid-Autumn festivity scene
and comes in four colours. When assembled together, it forms a distinct pattern.
Made from aluminium, these collectible boxes can be recycled into storage
containers or even gift boxes. Two-piece boxes are also available. Also on
offer is their corporate box for six assorted flavours together with three
instant bird’s nest drinks.
snowy white lotus with sesame and custard
Always the pioneers in the market in terms of innovative flavours, this year
Tai Thong introduces five flavours – four baked and one snowskin. The Wholesome
wheatgrass with single yolk represents Spring, a green tinged mooncake with
grassy flavours that goes well with the salty edge attributed from the salted
egg yolk. For those who like a tangy hit to their mooncakes, the summer theme
of Golden honey grapefruit with pineapple is ideal. The grapefruit taste gives
it an overall tanginess that undercuts the sweet taste of the lotus paste. I
especially liked the pineapple centre since I’m a big lover of that fruit. For
autumn, the Savoury white lotus with the shrimp sambal centre is definitely an
acquired unique taste with the pungent dried shrimps aroma. Leaving the last
for the best is my all-time favourite, the
Snowy white lotus with sesame and custard for winter. This mooncake skin
has an alluring aroma of Chinese almond that pairs well with the black sesame
and the creamy custard centre to give an irrestible combination.
Rounding up their new varieties is the snowskin chocolate yoghurt
with cranberry bits. These new varieties join other best-selling flavours such
as Lotus Paste Double Yolks, Red Bean Paste, Low Sugar White Lotus, Jade
Custard, Snow Skin Yam Paste Single Yolk, Snow Skin Durian Coulis & many
more.
shrimp sambal mooncake
Another huge perk in buying their
mooncakes would be the chance to win big
in their “Sweetest Snapshot Contest”, the first ever Tai Thong contest for
their Facebook fans. It runs from July 11 to September 4, with weekly prizes of
coveted electronic goodies like Apple iPads 2, Apple iPhones 4 and dining vouchers.
Each week sees one Apple ipad 2, RM100 dining voucher for first prize while the
second prize is one Apple iPhone 4 and RM100 dining voucher. For Week 8, (starting
from August 28) it is the Grand Prize week where you stand to win one Apple
iPad 2, Apple iPhone 4 and RM500 dining voucher.
shrimp sambal in front, wheatgrass mooncake at the back
Just like their
Facebook page
to start winning prizes. You will need to take photo of any of the new mooncake
boxes, post it on the Facebook contest at the app
with a caption, “I love Tai Thong Mooncakes because…” in less than 25 words. 5
posts with the most votes in that week will go on to the next round where
internal judges will select the most creative photo and caption as winner. For
the grand prize on week 8, all the same rules apply except that fans are to
take a photo of ALL of the new mooncake boxes. Sounds incredibly easy – buy,
eat and snap pictures of the mooncakes – win big in the contest!
Available at all Tai Thong outlets, Mid Valley Megamall Mooncake Fair
*This is an
advertorial. For more pictures, see the Flickr set.