Beer is not our alcoholic beverage of choice, but it is the perfect accompaniment to fried chicken, oyster omelette, mala xiang guo and mutton briyani.
In fact, whenever we have something greasy or spicy or both, there’s always the temptation to fish out an ice-cold can from the vegetable compartment of our fridge.
And that can is almost surely going to be a Taiwan Beer.
We’ve gone through several six-packs of their Gold Label, Honey Lager and Lychee “Sweet Touch” over the past year, but what we really wanted to try was their Pineapple and Mango fruit-infused beer.
Every time we go grocery shopping at our neighbourhood NTUC Fairprice, I make it a point to swing by the shelves of beer to see if they’re in stock. But sadly, they never are.
I also stalk the Shopee online store of their Singapore distributor on a semi-regular basis. While the Pineapple and Mango are always listed, they’ve been tantalisingly greyed out and unselectable.
That is, until a couple of weeks ago, when grey turned into black. I remained skeptical even after placing the order. But a few days later, uncertainty turned into reality.
Pineapple
Taiwan is famous for its pineapples. If you’ve ever been to Taiwan, you must have tried their pineapple tarts at least once.
When I used to travel regularly to Taipei for work, I would buy a box of Taiwanese pineapple tarts back home after every trip. They were always well received by The Old Folks.
Leveraging on the popularity of the spiky yellow fruit, Taiwan Beer decided to include 5% of Taiwanese 金鑽鳳梨 (Golden Diamond Pineapple) into their brew.
What makes the Golden Diamond Pineapple special? Here’s how ChatGPT 3.5 explained it when I asked the question.
What is so special about Taiwanese 金鑽鳳梨?Taiwanese 金鑽鳳梨, also known as "Golden Diamond Pineapple" or "MD2 Pineapple," is a popular and highly regarded pineapple variety cultivated in Taiwan. There are several factors that make this pineapple special:
1. Exceptional Flavor: The Golden Diamond Pineapple is known for its exceptional sweetness, juiciness, and overall delicious flavor. It has a perfect balance of sweetness and acidity, making it a favorite among pineapple enthusiasts.
2. Low Acidity: Unlike some other pineapple varieties that can be overly acidic or tangy, the Golden Diamond Pineapple has a lower acidity level, which contributes to its pleasant taste and makes it easier to consume.
3. Uniform Size and Shape: These pineapples are typically uniform in size and shape, which makes them visually appealing and easy to handle. This consistency is a result of careful cultivation and quality control.
4. Aromatic Fragrance: The Golden Diamond Pineapple is known for its aromatic fragrance, which adds to the overall sensory experience when consuming it. The scent is often described as tropical and enticing.
5. Minimal Fibrousness: Unlike some pineapples that can be fibrous and tough, the flesh of the Golden Diamond Pineapple is tender and minimally fibrous, making it more enjoyable to eat.
6. High Sugar Content: This pineapple variety is renowned for its high sugar content, which contributes to its sweetness and desirability. The high sugar levels are a result of selective breeding and optimal growing conditions.
7. Export Quality: Taiwanese Golden Diamond Pineapples are grown to meet strict export standards, ensuring consistent quality and freshness. They are exported to various countries worldwide, and their premium quality is recognized internationally.
8. Economic Importance: Pineapple cultivation, particularly the Golden Diamond Pineapple, holds significant economic importance in Taiwan. It supports local agriculture, provides employment opportunities, and contributes to the country's economy.
9. Protected Geographical Indication (PGI): In 2002, Taiwanese Golden Diamond Pineapples were granted a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status by the Taiwan government. This designation emphasizes the unique qualities and origin of the pineapple and helps protect its reputation and quality.
Due to its exceptional taste and quality, the Taiwanese Golden Diamond Pineapple is highly sought after both domestically and internationally. It has become a symbol of Taiwan's agricultural excellence and is often regarded as one of the world's best pineapples.It was a very long and detailed answer, but this particular sentence caught my attention.
“The scent is often described as tropical and enticing”
I couldn’t have said it any better.
When The Wife cracked open a can and poured it out, I could immediate smell an enticingly tropical scent wafting in the air.
Given its aroma, I was expecting my first sip to be very pineapple-heavy. Surprisingly, it was well balanced and not overwhelming at all.
There’s no mistaking the inherent pineapple-ness, of course, but it didn’t overrun my palate like how taking a big bite of the juicy fruit would have.
Instead, it simply stood there and confidently stated: “I am pineapple.”
Mango
Taiwan is also famous for its mangoes, especially 愛文芒果 (Aiwen) mangoes. They’re so popular that dried mango strips are created from the fresh fruit, so that you can enjoy them even during the off season.
Again, here’s what ChatGPT 3.5 had to say.
What is so special about Taiwanese 愛文芒果?Taiwanese 愛文芒果, also known as Aiwen mangoes, are renowned for their exceptional taste, quality, and unique characteristics. Here's what makes them special:
1. Flavor: Aiwen mangoes are celebrated for their exquisite flavor profile. They are known for being incredibly sweet, aromatic, and juicy. The flesh is tender and has a rich, tropical taste with hints of citrus and peach notes, making them highly sought after by mango enthusiasts.
2. Texture: These mangoes have a smooth and creamy texture, which adds to their appeal. The flesh is not fibrous, so you can enjoy the fruit without any unpleasant stringiness.
3. Aroma: The aroma of Aiwen mangoes is captivating and intense. When ripe, they emit a fragrant, sweet scent that can fill a room and entice anyone nearby.
4. Size and Shape: Aiwen mangoes are typically larger than other mango varieties and have an oval shape. They can weigh anywhere from 500 grams to over a kilogram, making them quite substantial.
5. Color: When ripe, Aiwen mangoes have a beautiful golden-yellow skin with occasional red or orange blushes. The vibrant color indicates their ripeness and readiness to eat.
6. Harvest Season: These mangoes are known for their relatively long harvest season, which can extend from April to August. This extended season allows mango lovers to enjoy them over a more extended period compared to some other mango varieties with shorter harvest windows.
7. Export Quality: Taiwanese Aiwen mangoes are produced under strict quality control measures, ensuring that they meet high export standards. This makes them a popular choice for export markets, and they are often considered a premium mango variety.
8. Cultural Significance: Mangoes hold cultural significance in Taiwan, and Aiwen mangoes are celebrated as a symbol of prosperity and good fortune. They are often given as gifts during special occasions and festivals.
9. Versatility: Aiwen mangoes can be enjoyed in various ways, including eating them fresh, making mango smoothies, incorporating them into salads, or using them in desserts and savory dishes.
10. Health Benefits: Like other mango varieties, Aiwen mangoes are a good source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. They provide essential nutrients like vitamin C, vitamin A, potassium, and dietary fiber, making them a healthy snack option.
In summary, Taiwanese 愛文芒果, or Aiwen mangoes, are special because of their outstanding flavor, texture, aroma, and cultural significance. They are considered a premium mango variety, and their unique qualities make them a favorite among mango enthusiasts and fruit lovers worldwide.A sweet, juicy and aromatic mango with notes of citrus and peach? Nice.
Like its spiky sibling, it made its presence felt without shouting. All it took was a light whiff and a small sip, to confirm that there was indeed mango in the pale amber drink.
Both the Pineapple and Mango were fantastic, surpassing even our previous favourite, the Lychee “Sweet Touch”. If we had to choose one, the Pineapple would win, but only after a close photo finish.
I’m not sure how long the distributor will have both flavours in stock, and I’m tempted to order a few more six-packs, just in case it’s a limited seasonal offering.
But we’re still struggling to run down our strategic alcohol reserves, and the fruit beers have a recommended shelf life of only one year. So, I’m going to take my chances and check in again a few months later.
Worst comes to worst, we’ll just have to fly up to Taiwan. Which, actually, doesn’t sound like a bad idea at all.
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