Gartien

Special thanks to Gartien for extending this product review invitation.

Update: This business has ceased its operations.

Since my previous visit to Gartien (小田佳园) at Penang Road (Jalan Penang), the retail store has installed a new signboard to increase its visibility to passing traffic.

Immediately behind the retail counter is Gartien's kitchen. At certain hours on weekdays, customers have to privilege to witness how Gartien's products are made.

Gartien is in the midst of expanding its product line-up. Besides the Classic Pineapple Cake, Gartien is rolling out a new variant: Uji Matcha Pineapple Cake (宇治抹茶手工凤梨酥)!

This new flavor is presented in a box of 6 pieces (50 grams each). The box is elegantly designed, making this product ideal as a gift. Retail price of each box is RM36.00.

Each piece of pineapple cake is individually wrapped to maintain freshness. Alongside each piece is oxygen absorber to prevent the pineapple cake from becoming stale.

The ingredients for the new Uji Matcha Pineapple Cake are the same as the original ones: flour, butter, eggs, milk powder, sugar, honey and pineapples. Of course, new flavor also contains premium matcha in its pineapple fillings. Matcha is sourced from Uji (宇治市), Japan, where one of the finest green teas is grown. No preservatives are used, which explains the relatively short 1-month shelf life.

The outer layer of the Uji Matcha Pineapple Cake is made from buttery pastry, which has a delightful crumble as I sink my teeth into it. Despite the aroma of butter, my fingers do not become noticeably oily after picking a piece.

As for the pineapple filling, its hue is slight greenish due to its matcha content. Matcha is made from premium green tea leaves, which is a rich source of antioxidants. The overall taste is quite balanced: neither too sweet or nor too tangy. In other words, the pineapple is safely within the "Goldilocks zone"!

Gartien is open daily except on Mondays, from 9:00am to 6:00pm. For customers' convenience, Gartien provides phone and online ordering too. If picking up from the store is not possible, nationwide delivery is also available.

As it is illegal (and dangerous) to park directly in front of the shop, Gartien allows its customers to use the open-air parking compound of Hotel Central (中央大酒店) and Hotel Fortuna (富都大酒店). Bring along your parking ticket when making a purchase at Gartien; the staff is happy to validate your ticket in order to waive the parking fee.

Name: Gartien (小田佳园)
Address: 380, Jalan Penang, 10000 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Contact: 04-229-0068
Business hours: 9:00am-6:00pm, closed on Mondays
Website: http://gartien.com
Coordinates: 5.41645 N, 100.32936 E
Directions: From Jalan Dato Keramat, Macalister Road (Jalan Macalister) or Magazine Road (Jalan Magazine), turn to this one-way section of Penang Road. Gartien is located approximately 200 meters ahead on the left. As for parking, turn left into Lorong Bertam just before the traffic lights. There is an open-air parking compound on the right. Remember to bring along your parking ticket for validation.