Goodies to Raise Your CNY Game
17 January 2020
Put together a selection beyond the usual suspects, so your relatives won’t be eating bak kwa (barbecued chicken or pork slices) or love letters for the umpteenth time by the time they visit your home this Chinese New Year.
1. Handmade Chocolatey Goodness
Try swapping the gold foiled chocolate coins for a tantalising array of made-in-Singapore artisan chocolates – with an interesting blend of flavours from the delicate tasting honey orchid dancong oolong tea, to the more adventurous roasted black glutinous rice dark milk chocolate.
2. Party of Exotic Flavours
Impress your uncles and aunties with a one-two combo of exotic flavours. A bucket of keropok (prawn cracker) or emping (bitternut crackers) and spicy, citrusy dip might just do the trick. Or for something with a more ‘modern’ taste, offer them a medley of flavours – from salted egg yolk, Mala hot pot to chilli crab.
3. A Sweet Streak
As they say, there’s always room for dessert. We like to think there’s also room for an enhanced dessert selection. To ring in the festive season, how about serving up some exquisite Nonya Kueh (bite-sized desserts), or go with an assortment of artisanal, reduced sugar cookies – made with premium ingredients and freshly baked upon order.
4. Locally-Inspired Brews and Spirits
This New Year, don’t just pop open a cold one with your uncle. Pop open a cold one from a proudly local brewery with an amazing story – such as a beer that draws inspiration from grandma’s chrysanthemum tea. Or perhaps, spice things up with a glass of Singapore-made mandarin chilli gin, best paired with tonic water.
5. A Cuppa Above the Rest
As the festivities go on, a warm and soothing beverage is something few can say no to. Offer your guests a cup of Pu’er tea, that carries a smoky floral aroma and fruity savouriness with a tangy aftertaste. Or perhaps they would fancy a mug of coffee from a local brewer, a taste of buttery and milky biscuits coupled with hints of sugary meringue sweetness – the perfect companion to an afternoon of celebration and light banter.