🍍 Pineapple buns don't actually have pineapples? The secret revealed!

Hello everyone~ Today, I'd like to share a fascinating little bread trivia that's familiar to Hong Kongers: the pineapple bun, surprisingly, doesn't contain any pineapple at all! 😲 This might sound strange to some, wondering why it's called "pineapple bun" but has nothing to do with pineapple? Don't worry, I'll break down the history, characteristics, and cultural significance behind it.

📖 The origin of pineapple buns

1. Misunderstanding of the name

It turns out that the name "pineapple bun" comes from its golden and crispy skin with a cracked pattern on the surface, which looks like the shell of a pineapple, so it is called "pineapple bun". 🍞➡️🍍
Moreover, early Hong Kong people had limited knowledge of Western bread, so when they saw new and unusual styles, they would naturally use figurative names to refer to them.

2. A product of Hong Kong's tea restaurant culture

The pineapple bun originated in the 1950s and 1960s, when Hong Kong was influenced by both Eastern and Western culinary cultures. Bakers sought to create a bun that was crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, sweet but not greasy. As a result, this crispy crust became a huge hit, gradually becoming a popular choice at tea restaurants and bakeries.

🍞 Features of pineapple buns

skin

• Golden and crispy with a buttery aroma
• The checkered texture resembles pineapple skin and looks very attractive.

Inside

• Soft and dense, with a little sweetness
• Some versions also add cream, red beans, and pineapple jam (this one actually has pineapple!)

Classic Variations

• Pineapple bun: Cut the hot and spicy pineapple bun, put thick frozen butter in it, take a bite, the blend of hot and cold is super delicious!
• Pineapple Barbecued Pork Buns🥓: Combining the savory and fragrant barbecued pork, it becomes a salty and sweet taste with a unique flavor.

🌍 The cultural status of pineapple buns

Pineapple bun is more than just a piece of bread; it is also a symbol of Hong Kong's food culture.

• UNESCO : In 2014, Hong Kong applied to include the "pineapple bun making technique" on the list of intangible cultural heritage, demonstrating its unique cultural value.
• Must-try for tourists : Many tourists visiting Hong Kong will go to tea restaurants specifically to try pineapple buns to experience the authentic Hong Kong flavor.
• Collective memory : For many Hong Kong people, buying a pineapple bun as a snack after school is already part of their growing up memories.

🤔 Why are pineapple buns so popular even without pineapples?

I believe the pineapple bun's enduring popularity stems not just from its crispy exterior and soft interior, but also from its symbolic symbol of "common happiness." These loaves, available for just a few dollars, embody the hard work, creativity, and life of Hong Kong people.

🎉 Editor’s Summary

Although there's no pineapple in the pineapple bun, its name, shape, and delicious taste are deeply rooted in the hearts of Hong Kong people. Whether it's a simple afternoon tea or a late-night snack with friends, taking a bite of a pineapple bun always brings a simple and sincere joy. 💛

👉 Next time you go to a tea restaurant, why not try ordering a hot and spicy pineapple bun and pair it with a cup of silk stocking milk tea? That would be perfect! ☕🍞