When it comes to food, Singapore is crazy. And with Chinese New Year around the horizon, you know we got to talk about CNY food like pineapple tarts.
Everybody knows that this is a CNY food you should eat for the lunar new year.
Because in Hokkien, pineapple is known as Ong Lai, which can also be read as “fortune comes”.
So the Chinese believe that if you eat pineapple tarts during the lunar new year, fortune will come into your life.
Which begs the question:
Pineapple-less Tarts: Are They Still Pineapple Tarts?
Not everybody appreciates the taste of pineapple tarts.
Some people love the buttery crust but not the pineapple; so they remove the pineapple jam and eat the crust itself.
But are they still pineapple tarts? Or should they be called pie crust?
Well, a shop in Singapore certainly believes in the former. And they’re selling them to other believers.
Meet BoTart SG
BoTart SG was set up by three friends who unite in their hatred against pineapples. Well, PinkoTaro would be really disappointed with them.
The trio remembers how they always had a love-hate relationship with pineapple tarts.
They love the crust but hate the pineapples.
So every year during Chinese New Year, they’ll “nibble” on the buttery crust and threw away the pineapple jam.
And they have to do it secretly because, well, the adults will scold them.
Decide To Do Something About It
What’s the first rule of business? You identify a problem or a need, provide a solution and see if it works.
And that was what the three friends did.
- Problem: You love pineapple tarts’ crusts but hate the pineapple.
- Solution: You make one without the other.
And so, they did. In 2019, they started selling pineappless tarts secretly and realised that there are others like them.
“Responses were encouraging,” they told CNA Lifestyle.
They sell two different versions:
The Pineappless (Read: Kosong) Tart
Their tagline: Why settle for small bits of the crust when you can get a whole mouthful of melt-in-your-mouth buttery crust.
That, we can get behind. Nothing can go wrong with butter.
And The Pineapple-Glazed (Read: Siew Dai) Tarts:
For those who find normal pineapple tarts overpowering and desire something a bit more balanced.
Unfortunately, if you’re hoping to get some for your relatives this CNY, you can’t.
Sold Out
Yup, these buttery goodness are all gone, according to their Facebook page.
So I guess if you really want them for CNY, you’ll have to wait till next year.
Back To The Question
Are they still considered pineapple tarts? I guess it depends on where you’re coming from.
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If you’re the superstitious sort who believes in the symbolism of pineapple tarts, then it’s not. After all, the ong lai isn’t there anymore.
But if you’re like most Singaporeans, it’s still a pineapple tart.
After all, if we can have nasi lemak burger without the rice (read: nasi) or chicken rice burger (without the rice), why can’t this be called a pineapple tart?
Guess I’ll have to contend with throwing pineapple jam away this year. Again. Goddamnit.