Nur Farrah Diba Azhar, who has run a halal mooncake and nian gao (kuih bakul) business for more than a decade, said she was motivated to create the new flavours thanks to customer feedback and her own desire to offer a fresh take on the traditional treats.
The pineapple flavour, she shared, is inspired by the much-loved pineapple tarts enjoyed during Chinese New Year. “We make our own jam so it’s not too sweet and retains that real fruit flavour.
“What makes it even more special is that they come in the shape of pineapples, which adds a fun touch for customers.”
The chocolate version, meanwhile, was created to delight younger consumers who prefer sweeter, more contemporary tastes. “We use high-quality chocolate to give it a nicer texture,” Nur Farrah noted.
According to the mother of one, the response to her new mooncake flavours has been very encouraging, with more than 1,000 sold since they were introduced.
“While I make mooncakes throughout the year, the numbers jump during the Mooncake Festival. September saw brisk sales for the traditional red bean and lotus mooncakes, but the new flavours have been a hit, too,” she added.
Nur Farrah, who is fluent in Mandarin, revealed that her mooncakes are made using a recipe from her late grandfather. This business allows her to keep his memory alive in her kitchen.
Her mooncakes are priced between RM5 and RM12 each, depending on the flavour, while six-piece sets with mixed flavours are available for between RM24 and RM30.
Although mooncakes are a traditional Chinese delicacy, Nur Farrah’s halal versions have been well received by the Malay and Indian communities. In fact, she often receives orders from the Chinese community for mooncakes to be given as gifts to their Malay friends.
Nur Farrah, who is assisted by 10 workers, said her company is in the process of obtaining a halal certificate so she can export her products and tap into the international market in the near future.
“If all goes according to plan, we hope to get a halal certificate next month, and after that we plan to sell our mooncakes abroad, particularly in Dubai, where there is strong demand for desserts.”
Find out more about Nur Farrah’s baked goods on Facebook.