We Rate Macau's Almond Cookies — But Do Locals Actually Like Them? | City Bites Macau Edition Ep3

Summary

In this episode, we explore the iconic almond cookies of Macau, a popular souvenir for tourists. From the bustling Pastelaria Chui Heong to renowned brands like Koi Kei Bakery, we discover how this humble pastry became a symbol of the city. Despite their fame among visitors, locals aren't as fond of them, with some considering them too hard or powdery. We also delve into the rich history behind these cookies, from their traditional Zhongshan roots to their rise as a tourist favorite. Join us for a delicious tour of Macau's pastry scene, uncovering the unique stories behind each bite.

Takeaways

• 😀 Almond cookies are a popular souvenir in Macau, especially for tourists, but locals tend not to favor them as much.
• 😀 Pastelaria Chui Heong is a family-owned bakery that has been making almond cookies since 1957, using a traditional charcoal grilling method.
• 😀 The rise of almond cookies as a souvenir in Macau is tied to the growth of tourism in the region, especially after the 1980s.
• 😀 The almond cookies from Pastelaria Chui Heong are distinct due to their crumbly texture and the smoky flavor imparted by grilling over charcoal.
• 😀 Despite their popularity with tourists, locals tend to find almond cookies too powdery and not as appealing, especially for younger generations.
• 😀 Different bakeries in Macau offer variations of almond cookies, with some being machine-made and others handmade, which affects their texture and taste.
• 😀 The packaging and portability of almond cookies make them an ideal souvenir, easily stored and carried for travelers.
• 😀 Macau’s almond cookies originated from Zhongshan, and were popularized in the city by early settlers from that region.
• 😀 Koi Kei Bakery is one of the biggest food souvenir brands in Macau, known for both machine-made and handmade almond cookies, with strong marketing efforts such as featuring in TV dramas.
• 😀 The local interest in almond cookies as a souvenir began to surge around 2008, when the number of visitors to Macau surpassed 20 million annually.
• 😀 When selecting almond cookies, consider factors like texture (crumbly or hard), the size and amount of almonds, and the smoothness of the powder to find your preferred taste.

Q & A

Why are almond cookies a popular souvenir in Macau?

Almond cookies are a popular souvenir in Macau because they are easy to store, package, and carry, making them an attractive gift for tourists. They are also flavorful and have a long shelf life, which is perfect for visitors who want to bring a piece of Macau back home.

How do almond cookies in Macau differ from those in other regions?

Macau's almond cookies are known for their unique blend of flavors and ingredients. While almond cookies originated from Zhongshan, Macau's almond cookies often feature a mix of mung bean powder, peanut butter, oil, water, and sugar, with some varieties even adding whole almonds for extra flavor.

What is the significance of Pastelaria Chui Heong in the production of almond cookies?

Pastelaria Chui Heong is one of the most popular Chinese bakeries in Macau and is known for making almond cookies using traditional methods. They are one of the few remaining stores that still grill their almond cookies over charcoal, giving them a distinct aroma and crumbly texture.

What makes Pastelaria Chui Heong's almond cookies different from other brands?

Pastelaria Chui Heong's almond cookies stand out because they are handmade and grilled over charcoal, which adds a smoky, aromatic aftertaste. The cookies are also notably crumbly and melt in the mouth, unlike some other brands that are more compact or powdery.

Why do locals in Macau not eat almond cookies as often as tourists?

Many locals in Macau don't eat almond cookies regularly because they find them too powdery and hard. Young people, in particular, aren't as fond of them, and they are often seen as a nostalgic treat for older generations or something to gift to relatives and friends visiting from abroad.

What was the historical context behind almond cookies becoming a souvenir in Macau?

Almond cookies became a popular souvenir in Macau during the 1960s and 70s when tourism began booming. Initially, tourists would bring home fresh seafood or other perishable items, but as demand grew, pastry shops began promoting almond cookies as a long-lasting souvenir, especially after the rise of mass tourism in the 2000s.

What role did marketing play in the popularity of almond cookies in Macau?

Marketing played a key role in the popularity of almond cookies in Macau, with large pastry brands such as Koi Kei Bakery using aggressive advertising strategies, including featuring famous food critics and sponsoring TV dramas. These efforts helped make the cookies more well-known, especially among tourists from mainland China and Hong Kong.

How are almond cookies made traditionally at Pastelaria Chui Heong?

At Pastelaria Chui Heong, almond cookies are made by first placing whole almonds into molds, then adding a mixture of mung bean powder, peanut butter, oil, water, and sugar. The cookies are then grilled over charcoal, which takes about 20 to 30 minutes to achieve the desired crumbly texture.

What are the key factors to consider when buying almond cookies in Macau?

When buying almond cookies in Macau, you should consider factors such as how easily the cookies crumble, the size and quantity of almonds inside, the texture of the powder (whether it melts easily in the mouth), and the overall flavor, which is generally consistent across brands but may vary slightly in sweetness or nutty aroma.

Why do tourists seem to love almond cookies more than locals?

Tourists tend to love almond cookies more than locals because they associate them with the Macau experience, often purchasing them as souvenirs. For locals, however, almond cookies are more of a nostalgic treat, and they may not enjoy them as much due to their crumbly texture and powdery nature.