2011 Tai Thong Mooncakes

          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.