Golden pineapple filling made with Taiwan No. 2 pineapples — Ike Coffee’s champion Taiwanese-style pineapple cakes paired with organic German floral tea are an absolute delight

▲ Ike Coffee’s Golden Taiwanese Pineapple Cake comes in multiple flavors including traditional pineapple and Earl Grey tea, as well as coffee-flavored options. (Photo / Reporter Chen Rui-zhong)

Tourism Center / Comprehensive Report

When it comes to Taiwan’s most iconic dessert, many people immediately think of the “pineapple cake.” This small golden square has a yellow, shiny crust and a slightly sticky filling. With one bite, the crumbly texture of the pastry and the sweet-and-tangy flavor fill your mouth, growing more fragrant the more you chew — always leaving you wanting more.

Thanks to this enchanting taste, pineapple cakes have created a unique pastry culture in Taiwan. Whether made with winter melon filling, traditional pineapples, or even innovative fruit-based sweet fillings, each type of filling has its own devoted fans. But the most popular and most representative local flavor is undoubtedly the rich and full-bodied traditional pineapple filling.

▲ To celebrate the festive season, Ike Coffee has launched a series of themed gift boxes.

High-quality traditional pineapples have a tangier taste and a stronger aroma than regular pineapples, offering a bold presence. The Golden Taiwanese Pineapple Cake launched by Ike Coffee uses Taiwanese No. 2 pineapples from the Nantou Farmers’ Association as its filling. Its slightly coarse natural fibers provide a firm, chewy texture. The flavor is sweet with a touch of tartness, not harsh on the tongue or sticking in the throat, and it has the distinctive fresh aroma of traditional pineapples lingering on the taste buds. The golden cheese crust is flaky and smooth, and the appropriately sized elongated shape ensures that every bite combines the crust and pineapple filling in perfect harmony. It comes in three flavors: original traditional pineapple, coffee, and Earl Grey tea. Thanks to Ike’s attention to detail in every aspect,the Golden Taiwanese Pineapple Cake won the championship in the traditional category at the 2015 Taipei Pineapple Cake Cultural Festival, making it Ike Coffee’s hottest souvenir gift item this year.

▲ Paired with Samova organic tea, certified by Germany’s organic label, along with naturally flame-toasted cashews and seaweed sugar nougat, it’s the perfect combination.

In addition to the Golden Taiwanese Pineapple Cake, starting in November, Ike Coffee has also collaborated with Germany’s Samova Organic Tea to launch a series of tea-themed gift boxes and in-store beverages.Samova Organic Tea, which has previously only appeared at banquets and fashion parties, prides itself on using only natural, organic herbs and ingredients, and is certified by Germany’s organic label. It is highly suitable for health- and quality-conscious consumers.Its “drink with peace of mind, eat with confidence” quality aligns perfectly with Ike Coffee’s core philosophy, allowing the two brands to jointly spark new inspiration in beverage culture.

▲ Sweetheart Exclusive Gift Box. (New Year’s price: 880 TWD)

The “Sweetheart Exclusive” gift box lets you enjoy Ike drip coffee, Samova organic floral tea, naturally flame-toasted cashews, and nougat made with seaweed sugar. With only 45% of the sweetness of regular sugar, the seaweed sugar makes the nougat a great match for the sour and bitter drip coffee or the sweet Samova floral tea. For those who love Western-style desserts, the “Dance of Indulgence” gift box includes drip coffee, Samova floral tea, roasted cashews, and a newly launched square biscuit, offering a unique option for discerning palates.

▲ The second-generation A-card now features contactless functionality for more convenient use by members.

Ike Coffee says that whether it’s launching classic pineapple cake desserts or collaborating with Germany’s Samova organic herbal teas, it represents the brand’s ongoing commitment to providing consumers with newer and more diverse choices. Along with continuous updates to the menu and dishes, Ike Coffee’s second-generation A-cardhas also evolved from the traditional card-insertion method to a “contactless” service that meets public habits. With its electronic sensing feature, the second-generation A-card offers enhanced business functionalities and faster payments, reflecting Ike’s attention to detail for customer convenience.

▲ Dance of Indulgence Gift Box. (New Year’s price: 880 TWD)

As a member of the Ike Coffee family, franchise owner Zeng Shih-hung of the Wanhua Youth Branch in Taipei has a particularly strong sense of Ike’s “changes.” Zeng noted that the Youth Branch used to be a traditional-style café, but after renovation in mid-January this year, spatial partitions were removed and four different types of wood were used to create a warm, open space. In the afternoon, sunlight streams through the large floor-to-ceiling windows into the interior, and the tree-themed wall decorations harmonize with the greenery of the nearby Youth Park across the street, creating an even cozier atmosphere. Zeng joked that the Youth Branch used to be just a “place that sells coffee,” but now it’s common to see professionals and creatives gathering there for inspiration — even a kindergarten came to carol during Christmas last year.

▲ Through the floor-to-ceiling windows, the greenery of Youth Park complements the tree decorations and warm ambiance of the Youth Branch.

In addition to visiting newly renovated stores like the Youth Branch to enjoy coffee and purchase gift boxes, customers can also easily order Ike products online via Yahoo! Shopping and Line Giftshop. To thank second-generation A-card members, from January 1 to February 29, 2016, those who top up 2,000 TWD can participate in a “4-for-1” gift selection event (options include a small box of Samova organic herbal tea, a box of Italian Porta Filtration Coffee, a box of Private Collection Italian Classic Latte, and a box of selected tea). From December 28 to February 15, 2016, customers purchasing 10 or more Lunar New Year gift boxes in a single transaction will receive an additional 10% discount. From January 25 to February 7, those presenting public transport tickets can enjoy a “buy one get one free” promotion on all beverages. On February 15, there will also be a Lunar New Year “buy one get one free” promotion on coffee beverages of the same variety, letting everyone enjoy great coffee, fine tea, and a wonderful new year.

More details on Ike’s official website www.ikari.com.tw