A Tantalizing Murcott-based Pastries for Ramadan by Taichung City & UPM

Taichung murcott is well known for its golden sheen, thin peel, succulent, fresh, juicy and high nutritional value. Good news! This long-time favourite in Taiwan and citrusy goodness is coming to Malaysia just in time for the Ramadan 2024!

L to R: Mr. Liao Ting-Chien, Director of Supply and Marketing, Shigang District Farmers’ Association of Taichung City and promoting the sweet and fragrant Taichung murcot; Ms. Tsai Hsin Tien, National Vice President of the Taiwan Chamber of Commerce & Industry in Malaysia; Ms. Edmanda Chang, Chief Financial Officer of Khaishen Trading; Chef Johari Edrus, Malaysia Celebrity Chef; Ms. Eva Peng, Director of Taiwan Trade Center KL Office; Mr. Fu Yu Chin, Director of Marketing Department, Shigang District Farmers’ Association of Taichung City.

The Agricultural Bureau of Taichung City Government is teaming up with Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) Faculty of Food Science and Technology for the first time ever to create special iftar pastries based on Taichung murcott to share the delicious taste of Taiwan with Malaysians.

We were honoured to be invited to the press conference held by The Shigang District Farmers’ Association of Taichung City to officially launch the Taichung murcott in Malaysia on 11 Mar 2024.

L to R: Ms. Eva Peng, Director of Taiwan Trade Center KL Office; Mr. Fu Yu Chin, Director of Marketing Department, Shigang District Farmers’ Association of Taichung City

During the grand launch event, Eva Peng; Director of Taiwan Trade Centre KL Office in Kuala Lumpur, was invited to join in the ceremonial "citrus picking," symbolizing the arrival of fresh Taichung fruits in Malaysia. Ms. Tsai Hsin Tien, National Vice President of the Taiwan Chamber of Commerce & Industry in Malaysia, also attended the event to show their great support for the high-quality Taiwanese fruits.

According to Mr. Fu Yu Chin, Director of Marketing Department of the Shigang District Farmers’ Association of Taichung City, murcott is not only a popular gift during the Lunar New Year but is sold throughout the year in Taiwan. The growing conditions at Shigang are favourable for cultivating murcott and the fruits grown there are famous for their beautiful golden sheen, thin peel, succulent fresh, and high nutritional value. The fruits are also packed in GLOBAL GAP and ISO 22000 certified facilities, so their quality is guaranteed.

The first batch of Taichung murcott have arrived in Malaysia on the 3rd of March and they will be exported to Singapore, Canada, and other selected countries. Taichung is expecting to export some 150 metric tons of murcott this year.

In the spirit of local cooperation based on the environmental, social and governance (ESG) framework, the Agricultural Bureau of Taichung City Government is collaborating with UPM to transform the Taichung murcott into delectable Malaysian pastries. The students will be led by renowned Malaysian celebrity chef, Chef Johari Edrus (Chef Jo), to create these delicious treats for Ramadan month.

Chef Jo shared that he has been obsessed with the sweet and juicy Taiwanese murcott ever since he first tasted the fruit last year. This year, he is grateful to have the opportunity to teach at UPM and naturally wanted to introduce these delicious murcotts to more Muslim friends.

The specially curated pastries are available at L'apprenti Deli located in the UPM campus from 29th March to 4th April 2024. Diners can order the delicious pastries from their special menu between this period. The limited-edition pastries include murcott marmalade & scones, murcott coconut filled crepe rolls, and murcott danish that are guaranteed to tickle your tastebuds.

L to R: Dr. Mohd Rohaizat bin Abdul Wahab, Science Officer, Department of Food Service and Management, Faculty of Food Science & Technology, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM); Ms. Tsai Hsin Tien, National Vice President of the Taiwan Chamber of Commerce & Industry in Malaysia; Ms. Eva Peng, Director of Taiwan Trade Center KL Office; Mr. Fu Yu Chin, Director of Marketing Department, Shigang District Farmers’ Association of Taichung City; Chef Johari Edrus, Malaysia Celebrity Chef; Ms. Edmanda Chang, Chief Financial Officer of Khaishen Trading, Mr. Liao Ting-Chien, Director of Supply and Marketing, Shigang District Farmers’ Association of Taichung City and promoting the sweet and fragrant Taichung murcott.

Meanwhile, Taichung murcotts are already available for purchase at Harvest Impact, Aeon, Jaya Grocer, Star Grocer, Whole Foods Express, Just fruits, Dr Fruit, iFruit Market, and Fujin Kuching. Do not miss this opportunity to try the awesome goodness of Taichung murcotts!