5 best Singapore snowskin mooncakes of 2011
Snowskin mooncakes, the (literally) cooler cousin of the staid, traditional mooncakes are always a treat with their delicate, flavourful skins, and innovative fillings.
While some snowskin mooncakes go overboard on the creativity and border on just plain strange, you can be sure that the top five snowskin mooncakes we've chosen will be nothing but a delight for your taste buds (no worries, the mooncake stuffed with gummy bears didn't make the cut).
Our vote for the most appetizing array of new Singapore mooncakes this year goes to Fullerton Hotel for their range of tropical fruit snowskin mooncakes that includes mango pomelo with sago, honey pineapple, chocolate banana with chocolate chips and durian red bean (S$55 for four pieces each).
While many lesser fruit mooncakes often end up cloyingly sweet, Fullerton's offerings find the careful balance. Our favourite is the honey pineapple version, which is generously filled with caramelised pineapple paste that's equal parts sweet and tart -- it resembles the Chinese New Year favourite pineapple tart, but even more addictive.
For years, Goodwood Park Hotel's durian mooncakes have reigned as one of the best on the Singapore mooncake scene. And, while many would crumble under the pressure and fail to live up to expectations after a while, the D24 durian paste mooncakes (S$55 for four) are just as excellently done this year, if not better, as before.
The best of the group though is the new mega mao shan wang snowskin mooncake (S$50 per piece).
The other new creation on offer this year is the lychee and lime marshmallow snowskin mooncake (S$45 for four), which is also surprisingly refreshing and light. Both newbies round out the array of the usual Goodwood fruity snowskin treats, the mango with pomelo (S$45 for four), D24 durian paste and cempedak paste (S$54 for four).
Exclusive Privileges
UOB, Citibank, DBS, CapitaCard credit and debit card members enjoy 15 per cent off all mooncakes, and Goodwood Park Hotel Gourmet card members get 20 per cent off all mooncakes, from 5 August to 12 September 2011.
Goodwood Park Hotel, 22 Scotts Road, +65 6730 1867/1868 (Mooncake Call Centre)
[See Goodwood Park Hotel's Durian Buffet (available next year)]
Jewels Artisan Chocolate
Known for its exotic Asian-flavoured creations including the (in)famous Korean black garlic flavoured chocolate mooncake, Jewels Artisan Chocolate has now come up with an array of mini snowskin mooncakes which, unfortunately (or fortunately depending on your sense of culinary adventure), does not include the more exciting flavours like chilli.
Nevertheless, options such as the mini snowskin mooncake with espresso truffle (S$52.80) are deliciously smooth and quickly devoured. Also try the Korean black garlic mooncake (S$56.80 for eight), which isn't as scary as it sounds; the flavours are intriguing without being overwhelming.
Kudos to New Majestic Hotel for coming up with a selection of snowskin mooncakes that is just as impressive, if not more so, as its traditional mooncakes (which we picked as our favourite Singapore mooncake for 2011).
Flavours such as kopi luwak (S$50 for eight mini mooncakes), yuan yang paste (S$48 for eight), black sesame paste (S$48 for eight) and lychee liqueur (S$48 for eight) are intriguing and well done, but it's the mini snowskin with mao shan wang durian paste ($56 for eight) that takes the cake with its luscious and creamy durian filling that's rich without being overwhelming on the palate -- probably our favourite snowskin mooncake of the year, too.
[See Majestic Restaurant's Mid-Autumn Set Menu and Top 5 Luxury Boutique Hotels in Singapore]
As far as mooncakes that embody the meaning of "exquisite", Raffles Hotel's ever-popular snowskin mooncake with lotus paste, Champagne truffle and ganache (S$60 for eight) continues to impress. It's not the easiest on your wallet, but it's worth every cent.
This year, Raffles Hotel also tries its hand at a durian flavour with its new snowskin durian mooncake (S$68 for eight pieces), which features oodles of the luscious pulp swathed in its signature soft snow skin.
[See Long Bar Steakhouse Introduces Menu du Jour]
Head over to LifestyleAsia for full details on these five best Singapore snowskin mooncakes of 2011.
Related Articles:
If you think this list isn't comprehensive enough, we've got our Ultimate Mooncake Guide 2011 just for you. Everyone in Hong Kong is also gearing up to Mid-Autumn Festival so read-up on the best Hong Kong mooncakes of 2011 and best Hong Kong mooncakes for picky eaters.
