EQ PRESENTS CELESTIAL TREASURES FOR MID-AUTUMN FEST

Rabbit motifs take pride of place on EQ mooncake gift boxes this year. Referencing the Chinese folklore where the rabbit was immortalised by the Emperor of Heaven for its selfless act, the rabbit once again was the icon of choice for EQ's Mid-Autumn Fest gift packaging.

Origami-style rabbit motif hot-stamped in gold played a central role in my Longevity Collection gift box in vibrant red. Inside, I found 4 traditional baked mooncakes (RM198). Should you prefer snowskin, a set of 6 snowskin mooncakes (RM228) is available too.

Featuring blind-embossed elements of the moon and other decorative motifs, the understated gift box can be repurposed into a keepsake or jewellery box post-celebration.

Headlining the array of baked classic mooncakes is EQ’s Signature Pearl of Harmony. Featuring a combination of black sesame paste, mung bean paste and salted egg yolk, it was meant to resemble a full moon glowing against a night sky. The delicate nutty sweetness of black sesame was balanced by the savoury richness of the salted egg yolk.  

 
We also like the mildly sweet Low Sugar White Lotus Paste with Single Yolk. Equally agreeable was the Pandan Lotus variant with a discernible fragrance of pandan whilst the perennial Red Bean filling proved on-point.

 
Visit https://www.eqkualalumpur.equatorial.com/celestial-treasures-mooncakes/ for more details on EQ’s other Mid-Autumn Festival gift boxes and mooncake selection. Otherwise, drop by EQ Kuala Lumpur, Kampachi and IPPUDO restaurants, Pavilion KL Centre Court or Thyme Out Café, AICB Building to purchase and view the Celestial Treasures available.

For more information, please WhatsApp EQ Kuala Lumpur: +60 12 278 9239 or email: dineateqkl@kul.equatorial.com 

OVER THE MOON CELEBRATION WITH HONG KONG MEI-XIN MOONCAKES

When it comes to mooncakes, Hong Kong Mei-Xin (HKMX) has been a forerunner in the business since 1987. Personally, I never realise how different the brand’s Mid-Autumn selection is until I sampled some HKMX mooncakes several years ago.

When it comes to the timeless mooncake with lotus paste filling, I daresay the White Lotus Seed Paste Mooncakes with 2 Egg Yolks (RM173 per box of 4) from HKMX is incomparable. Packed in a gold metal tin box embossed with the silhouette of Chang Er against a full moon, this particular set of HKMX Mooncakes has been my preferred choice when it comes to personal gifting during the Mid-Autumn Festival.

The creamy-nuttiness of its lotus seed paste is more pronounced at first bite. Combined with the muted savouriness of salted egg yolks, a wedge of HKMX mooncake will invariably whet the appetite for a second helping.

Coming in a close second is HKMX Lava Egg Yolk with White Lotus Seed Paste Mooncake (RM179 per box of 8 pcs). This year, HKMX has unveiled a new rectangular box in maroon with gilt etchings on the lid. Smaller in size but big in flavour, the mooncake’s molten egg yolk core gives this trad treat a novel albeit appealing factor.

 

Of course, most HKMX fans will undoubtedly clamour for its award-winning Lava Custard Mooncakes (RM179 per box of 8 pcs). Todate, no other brand can rival this signature speciality of HKMX. You have to taste one personally to understand its distinctiveness.  

 

 

Ever mindful of its health-conscious customers, HKMX also has Low (Reduced) Sugar White Lotus Seed Paste with Pine Nuts Mooncakes (RM182 per box of 6 pcs). The subtle sweetness melds with the nice nuttiness of pine nuts to ensure health buffs can have their mooncake and eat it too.

Hong Kong Mei-Xin mooncakes are sold at Jaya Grocer, Ben’s Independent Grocer, Isetan KLCC, Urban Fresh, and AEON outlets. For information, call Nguan Seng (1980) Sdn Bhd, hp no: 016-335 6884.

SWEET COLOURS OF MID-AUTUMN FROM CONCORDE KL

Modern. Minimalist. Whimsical. Concorde Hotel Kuala Lumpur’s contemporary mooncake gift boxes have raised the ante again for Mid-Autumn Festival this year.

After last year’s runaway best-selling 'bejewelled' gift boxes, the Hotel has gone square with sleek and minimalist lacquer boxes. Available in a set of two, the Mid-Autumn gift box set comes in alluring baby blue and candy pink hues or sunny yellow and vibrant orange. A whimsical bunny and a reindeer adornment on top gives the boxes a refined touch of ‘bling’.

To make an even greater impression on intended Mid-Autumn Fest recipients, the boxes are presented with finesse in a classy, rectangular matte silver cover gold-embossed with the Concorde Hotel KL logo and the appropriate festive greeting.

Each mooncake is also hygienically sealed in plastic wrapping, and held in a silver matte box. The Pink & Blue Giftbox (RM88+) proffers Japanese Red Bean and Pure Lotus Double Yolk mooncakes while the Yellow & Orange Giftbox (RM88+) comprises White Pure Lotus Paste and Green Tea Pure Lotus Single Yolk mooncakes.

The much sough-after Snowskin with Musang King Durian Mooncake (2 pc giftbox RM98+, 4 pc giftbox RM168+) also makes its much anticipated return. Decadent and luscious, this chilled snowskin treat will thrill die-hard durian lovers who like to have their mooncake and eat durian too.

Newer variants joining the festive array this year are Snowskin Lotus Paste with Longan & Wolfberries, Snowskin with  Yam & Egg Yolk and Snowskin Lotus Paste with Roselle mooncakes (pix above). These creations are priced at RM88+ for the 2 pc giftbox set, RM148+ for the 4 pc giftbox set.

We like the longan-wolfberries combination as the mooncake tastes pleasantly sweet with hints of fruitiness coming through on the palate. The roselle version evokes a subtle tanginess which balances the expectant sweetness somewhat.

Special 15% discount available for credit card holders of CIMB, HSBC, Citibank, Hong Leong Bank, Maybank and RHB. For more information, call Concorde Hotel KL, tel: 012-399 5007 (office hours) or visit the Mid-Autumn Festival kiosk at the Hotel Lobby from 10.30am – 8pm until 24 September.