Prices of mooncakes in Singapore: 4 reasons why mooncakes are so expensive
Here are a few factors contributing to the high price tags of mooncakes in Singapore. (IMAGE SOURCE: Getty)
In East Asian nations, the Mid-Autumn Festival or Mooncake Festival is commemorated annually when the moon shines at its brightest and fullest. This customary celebration allows friends and families to congregate and indulge in mooncakes, a delectable delicacy that typically boasts a sweet or sweet and savory flavor.
When Is The Mooncake Festival In Singapore?
In the year of 2023, the Mooncake Festival, otherwise known as Mid-Autumn Festival, will take place on the 29th of September in Singapore. Leading up to this date, there will be a bustling atmosphere with mooncake vendors promoting their diverse range of mooncakes and captivating packaging designs. People will be eager to discover enticing mooncake flavors and creative packaging options to present as gifts to their loved ones or business associates.
Mooncakes, whether they are the classic oven-baked ones with salted egg yolk and lotus-seed paste or the unique non-baked snowskin ones with exciting flavors, are highly valued treats. The reputation of a brand also plays a role in their value, such as the luxurious and expensive champagne truffle snowskin mooncakes sold exclusively by Raffles Hotel, as opposed to more affordable options from regular bakeries.
Luxury Hotels In SG: Mooncake Prices Surge
Let's take a glimpse into the pricing of high-quality mooncakes offered at five renowned hotels in Singapore that are famous for their mooncake varieties.
Elegant sparkling wine-flavored truffle snow-skin mooncakes (pack of 8)
Mooncake lovers rejoice! We present to you our delectable creation - the Double Yolk with Macadamia Nuts and White Lotus Paste Baked Mooncake, available in a set of eight pieces. Prepare to indulge in this heavenly treat that will surely satisfy your taste buds. Our mooncakes are meticulously crafted with a double yolk surprise nestled within the velvety smooth White Lotus Paste. The addition of crunchy macadamia nuts adds a delightful texture and a nutty flavor that perfectly complements the sweetness of the lotus paste. Baked to perfection, these mooncakes bring together traditional flavors with a modern twist. Each bite is a burst of harmony, blending the richness of the double yolk, the crunchiness of macadamia nuts, and the lusciousness of the White Lotus Paste. Whether you are gifting these mooncakes to loved ones or treating yourself, our set of eight pieces ensures there's enough to go around. Share the joy of this exquisite delicacy with your family, friends, or colleagues. Be sure not to miss out on this limited-time offering - seize the opportunity to savor the incredible Double Yolk with Macadamia Nuts and White Lotus Paste Baked Mooncakes. Place your order today and get ready to experience the irresistible allure of these delightful treats!
Cherry Blossom & Raspberry Truffle Snow-Skin Mooncakes (8 counts)
Shang Palace offers a unique treat called the Spirulina Mung Bean with Bird's Nest Charcoal Mooncake. This delectable dessert comes in a set of four pieces.
Deluxe Black Thorn Durian Snowskin Mooncakes (pack of 8)
Low sugar plain white lotus seed paste (4 pieces)
"The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore" is a renowned luxury hotel located in Singapore.
Delight your taste buds with a scrumptious treat – Double Yolk White Lotus Seed Paste pastries! Indulge in the exquisite flavors of these delicately crafted pastries, each oozing with a rich, creamy filling made from white lotus seeds. These delectable pastries are further enhanced by the addition of not just one, but two golden egg yolks, adding an extra burst of lusciousness to every bite. Each box contains four of these delectable creations, ready to be savored and enjoyed. Treat yourself or surprise a loved one with these extraordinary delights – your palate will thank you!
Small snowskin mooncakes filled with white lotus seed paste and a salted egg yolk, comes in a pack of 8.
Snowskin "Mao Shan Wang" Durian (4 units)
White Lotus Seed Filling with a solo Egg Yolk (4 portions)
Snowskin Black Thorn Durian (set of 4)
Snowskin Ondeh Ondeh (4 units)
Delicious 'Orh Ni' Mooncake with High-Quality Golden Pumpkin & Singular Egg Yolk (Set of 4)
Freshly baked mooncakes made with high-quality 'Jin Hua' ham, a variety of nuts, and tangy tangerine peels. This delectable treat comes in a set of four.
Cognac Truffle Coffee & Chocolate Crispy Bead Tiny Snowskin Mooncakes (set of 8)
Influencing Factors Of Mooncake Prices In SG
Why are mooncakes so expensive? In this post, we will delve into the elements that impact the cost of mooncakes and why this customary sweet treat generally has a higher price tag than regular desserts.
Packaging - An Art Of Presentation
When the Mid-Autumn festival rolls around, it's customary to exchange mooncakes as gifts. As a result, the packaging of these treats has become a focal point. Sellers continuously strive to create more innovative and creative boxes, using fancy designs and themes to catch customers' attention.
WOK°15 Kitchen, a Cantonese eatery located in Sentosa Cove, shared that their motivation for this year's Mid-Autumn Festival package design was to fashion something unique from the ordinary drawer-style boxes often employed for mooncakes. The team observed that these boxes were seldom repurposed after the mooncakes were enjoyed, hence they aspired to create packaging that could be reused while still being aesthetically pleasing.
The final layout showcases a container adorned with intricate flower-shaped openings and a handle on the upper side to resemble a lantern. The packaging design proudly displays an illustration of a peacock gracefully positioned against the moon, representing opulence and elegance as stated by the restaurant.
Wok°15 Kitchen presents delectable mooncakes to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival 2023. (PHOTO: Wok°15 Kitchen)
Might the intricate wrapping substantially contribute to the total price of the mooncakes?
You can get a bundle of four WOK°15 Kitchen's Exquisite Snow Skin Mooncakes for S$79, while a set of four of their Classic Baked Mooncakes is available for S$69.
Although WOK°15 Kitchen has chosen not to disclose the precise expenses associated with its packaging, they have emphasized that they consider packaging costs when calculating the overall price of their mooncakes. Their main objective is to find a harmonious balance between making their mooncakes affordable for all customers and maintaining the exceptional quality of their handmade treats.
Dr. Leslie Tay, a well-known food blogger in the area, has the opinion that the increase in mooncake prices can be attributed to intense competition between sellers striving to create more extravagant and visually appealing packaging.
Dr. Tay mentioned that in case sellers decide to offer Chinese New Year pineapple tarts in separate packaging and present them in attractive containers, they would probably be priced at a minimum of S$50 to S$60. As an alternative, buyers who are not concerned about fancy packaging can choose more economical mooncakes that are packed in modest paper boxes. These mooncakes are commonly found in traditional local bakeries.
Check out: Price Manual For Corporate Gifts of Mooncakes during Mid-Autumn Festival (Including Delivery)
Check out: Our assessment of mooncakes from 8 different brands, and which ones you should consider purchasing.
Don't miss: Snowskin mooncakes being recalled because of E coli bacteria contamination: SFA
In addition to the usual mooncakes that are relatively basic, more intricate mooncakes are being created, including mooncakes with luxurious ingredients like Mao Shan Wang durian, truffle, champagne, and bird's nest. Although these high-end ingredients can be quite expensive, the basic components needed to make mooncakes are quite affordable.
When you browse through Phoon Huat's online shop, RedManShop, you'll find that 1kg of ready-made lotus paste is priced at approximately S$16.00, while 1kg of pre-made red bean paste is more affordable at around S$8.30. Additionally, they offer a wide selection of other paste flavors like pandan and green tea mung bean, with prices ranging from approximately S$8 to S$21 per kg.
Multi-purpose flour, typically utilized in crafting the exterior of classic mooncakes, is available at a cost of approximately S$4 per kilogram, whereas cake flour, an alternative option for producing mooncake skins, is purchasable for just S$2.95 per kilogram.
The pricing of mooncakes is also influenced by the brand's notoriety. Well-known mooncake brands like Goodwood Park Hotel and Ding Bakery often charge higher prices due to their established reputation.
Elroy Lim, a banking relationship manager, understands the importance of making a positive impact when he purchases mooncakes for his clients. Each year, he selects his mooncakes from Goodwood Park Hotel, where the prices vary from S$49 for a two-piece set to S$138 for a set of four mooncakes.
"It's a label that makes the receiver exclaim, 'Wow, this is quite expensive!" expressed Lim.
A representative from Goodwood Park Hotel stated that their mooncake packaging for this year follows a conventional style with a contemporary twist. The packaging features a classic lantern design adorned with floral decorations, all showcased in a shiny copper color scheme.
Others, such as financial advisor Cheong Jia Qi, take into account elements like personal preference and the geographical location of the seller when deciding which brands to opt for.
Cheong expressed that every year we have the choice to order mooncakes, and during this period, we are given the opportunity to make corporate orders that include personalized company boxes. Cheong shared that in the previous year, we collaborated with Mandarin Oriental.
Yet, I have faith in endorsing indigenous enterprises. Thus, this year, I am exploring Insta-shops such as Ladyleflour or Mahota. I engage in multiple taste trials to guarantee that the flavors and standard meet the expectations of my clients," Cheong further stated.
Based on Dr. Tay's insights, the labor expenses play a significant role in determining the prices of mooncakes. Dr. Tay highlighted that mooncakes produced by machines often have a thicker crust, as machines are incapable of achieving the desired thinness. Consequently, machine-made mooncakes are usually more affordable. On the other hand, Dr. Tay expressed his belief that handmade mooncakes hold greater worth and are favored by the majority of mooncake buyers.
"Individuals purchase mooncakes for various purposes. Certain individuals are motivated by the desire to consume them, hence valuing their freshness. However, when considering procuring mooncakes for clients, the primary focus would likely shift away from freshness and towards packaging and price range," stated Dr. Tay.
Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter.
