Pineapple cake / Feng Li Su

AI Gourmet Analysis

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Overview

Pineapple Cake (Chinese: 鳳梨酥, English: Pineapple Cake) is one of Taiwan's representative confectioneries, widely cherished as a staple at souvenir shops, airports throughout Taiwan, and at night markets. Especially popular at Kaohsiung’s Liuhe Tourist Night Market among both tourists and locals, pineapple cakes are readily purchased for eating on the go or as souvenirs. Originally, the cake is a traditional sweet that has been made throughout Taiwan since the early 20th century, and nowadays, each local confectioner offers their own unique recipes and package designs.

Origins and History

The origin of the pineapple cake is closely linked to the development of Taiwan's confectionery industry and the spread of pineapple as a crop. From the late 19th to early 20th centuries, as pineapple cultivation flourished in Taiwan, processed sweets were developed as a means of preserving excess pineapples. At first, winter melon was the main ingredient for the filling, but over time, the amount of pineapple increased, and it established itself as the “fengli su” we know today.The commercialization of the sweet accelerated from the 1970s onward with the rise of famous shops, and the cake developed into a classic Taiwanese souvenir. Today, pineapple cakes are not only used as gifts for celebratory occasions such as the Mid-Autumn Festival but are also well-known across various Asian countries due to tourism booms.

Characteristics and Production

Pineapple cakes are typically made by wrapping a jam-like pineapple filling in a cookie-like pastry dough that uses butter or lard, then shaping it into squares or cylinders and baking it. The filling is a rich, jammy reduction of ripe pineapple, notable for its fibrous texture and a balance of tartness and sweetness. In recent years, variations including winter melon and mango have also appeared.Traditional methods consist of the following steps:

Process	Description
Dough Preparation	Flour, butter, egg yolks, sugar, etc. are mixed to achieve a crispy texture.
Filling Preparation	Pineapple flesh is simmered into a jam; winter melon may be added as needed.
Wrapping	The filling is wrapped in the dough and shaped.
Baking	Baked at around 170-180°C.

Regional and Cultural Significance

The word for pineapple in Chinese, "旺来" (wànglái), sounds like "prosperity comes," and the fruit is thus considered auspicious, symbolizing the bringing of wealth and luck. In Taiwan, pineapple cakes are highly valued during New Year celebrations and as congratulatory gifts, and they are often presented as boxed gifts. In the tourist city of Kaohsiung’s Liuhe Night Market, a wide variety of products are offered, from individually wrapped fresh cakes to luxurious gift boxes for souvenirs.

Modern Pineapple Cakes and Internationalization

Today, pineapple cakes are available not only throughout Taiwan but also in Hong Kong, mainland China, Southeast Asia, and the Japanese and Korean markets from Taiwanese-style cafes and shops. In 2011, the Ministry of Economic Affairs of the Republic of China (Taiwan) established a certification mark for "Taiwan Pineapple Cake," which serves as proof of origin for famous production areas. Furthermore, there has been an increase in premium products targeting overseas pineapple cake enthusiasts, focusing on sugar content and the origin of ingredients.

Conclusion

Pineapple cake is a renowned confection born from Taiwan's rich food culture, history, and agricultural development. For visitors to vibrant locations like the Liuhe Tourist Night Market, it is one of the foods they should try to experience the local street food culture. It is a representative sweet that continues to provide a uniquely Taiwanese taste experience, blending tradition and innovation.