So which is worth the calories?
Photos: Weekender
With Chinese New Year bounding in like an enthusiastic puppy, it's time to splash your abode in shades of auspicious red with bulbous silk lanterns, blinking firecrackers, spring couplets, and of course, an array of red lid-touting containers filled with your favourite festive goodies. From perennial favourites of crunchy arrowhead chips and smoky bak kwa squares to trendy ones such as salted egg yolk chips and fried fish skin, these addictive snacks will leave the fingers all dusty and crusty with sugar and spice during this joyous occasion.
Out of the lot, we zeroed in on our personal favourite CNY goodie: The pineapple tart.
A delicious staple during the festive shenanigans, the pineapple tart is flaunted like a prized pig by bakeries from around the nation, each vying for your attention with promises that their buttery creation is the best.
We'll be the judge of that, after eating our way through 10 brands of pineapple tarts.
2. Sprmrkt’s signature pineapple tart, $38.80 per 600g bottle [Editor’s Pick]
A side-eye comes inevitably when a time-honoured CNY treat is taken (without its consent, mind you) and injected with a modern flair. But savouring Sprmrkt’s own version of the pineapple tart has softened our judgemental gaze into a face of glee. In line with Sprmrkt’s three-month-long Vietnam cultural showcase, the restaurant has breathed Viet flavours into the tart, namely: Subtle hints of lemongrass in the filling, and Earl Grey tea leaves in the shortcrust pastry. Touting a dotty-golden-brown exterior, the pastry comes true with the tea accents, while the lemongrass flavours are almost too subtle. The ratio of pastry to filling can also be more balanced (more filling please!). Aside from the welcoming touches, the craft of pineapple tart is well-executed – the crumbly pastry is melt-in-the-mouth and the filling packs a nice sweet-tarty pineapple punch.
Available at Sprmrkt outlets including 41 Robertson Quay, Singapore 238236
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