Desserts need to be smashed before eating? Australia’s viral “Anna’s Exploding Planet” lands in Taiwan

▲ The smash-before-eating “Anna’s Exploding Planet.” (Photo / Provided by Shangri-La’s Far Eastern Plaza Taipei)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

Sweet-toothed foodies are in for a treat as Shangri-La’s Far Eastern Plaza Taipei invites Anna Polyviou, the judge from the Australian version of “MasterChef” and dubbed the “Red Punk Queen,” to make a guest appearance from July 24 to 29. She will bring a selection of her best-selling, wildly popular Australian desserts, including the smash-before-eating “Anna’s Exploding Planet.”

Anna’s Exploding Planet features an eggshell-thin white chocolate shell that encases mascarpone vanilla mousse, raspberry curd, strawberry purée, cranberry financiers, cocoa caramel tuiles, and French meringue, then decorated with fresh strawberries, raspberries, rosemary, and popping candy — all requiring 75 steps to complete. The only way to enjoy “Anna’s Exploding Planet” is to lift the dessert high and then Smash it into pieces, letting all the sweet elements mix together before eating.


▲ The unsmashed Anna’s Exploding Planet. (Photo / Provided by Shangri-La’s Far Eastern Plaza Taipei)

Shangri-La’s Far Eastern International Tower Taipei’s The Cake Room (1F), a limited-time dessert shop, will offer the award-winning 2014 “Best Dessert in Australia” Carrot Cake – Rabbit Trap, along with various classic signature cakes by Anna. The Marco Polo Lounge (38F) will also launch a limited-time “Anna Punk Afternoon Tea” at NT$988+10%.

Additionally, starting at 2 PM on July 24, Anna will host a limited pop-up shop at SOGO Zhongxiao Branch 1F, featuring Australia’s viral “Anna’s Exploding Planet” in three sizes: the standard version (serves 4, NT$1,600), mini version (NT$400), and jar version (NT$280). Quantities are limited for each and will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis. On July 27 at 11 AM, an Anna Exploding Planet meet-and-greet event will take place at the Marco Polo Lounge (38F) at NT$1,880+10% per person.


▲ Anna Polyviou, dubbed the Red Punk Queen (Photo / Provided by Shangri-La’s Far Eastern Plaza Taipei)