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The Perfect Lunar New Year Snack Pairings
With Nespresso
As we approach the auspicious Year of the Dragon, the spotlight shifts to Lunar New Year snacks as they inevitably become the centrepiece of any living room. These delightful treats serve as the perfect accoutrement for our conversations with friends and loved ones. From the sweet and flaky pineapple tart to the chewy and stretchy nian gao, these classic Chinese New Year (CNY) snacks have become a staple every time the festive lunar season rolls around. This year, consider adding a touch of sophistication to your festive celebrations by incorporating Nespresso’s range of coffee capsules into the mix.
Embark on a refined pairing experience as we explore the best Nespresso coffee to complement your favourite Lunar New Year snacks. Let the rich aromas and flavours of Nespresso’s Original and Vertuo ranges enhance the joy of celebration this festive holiday.
Pineapple Tart
The iconic pineapple tart is the epitome of traditional Lunar New Year delights. It features a sweet and tangy pineapple filling in the centre with a buttery, flaky crust that intertwines beautifully in a satisfying bite. For the best coffee pairing with this snack, you’ll want a coffee with a fruity and floral profile. The vibrant notes of such a coffee can complement the pineapple tart’s unique flavours and textures — adding layers of depth and elevating the overall experience.
As for the choice of Nespresso coffee, consider pairing pineapple tarts with our Istanbul Espresso from the Original range or Ethiopia from the Vertuo range. Both options fit the perfect coffee profile for this particular snack.
You can find the Istanbul Espresso and a diverse range of coffee capsules in our limited-edition Lunar New Year 80-Capsule Pack assortment pack. Alternatively, there’s also an assortment pack for the Vertuo range, Lunar New Year Vertuo 30-Capsule Pack, that contains Ethiopia as one of the coffee capsule options.
Nian Gao (Rice Cake)
Nian gao or rice cake is one of the most beloved cultural symbols of the traditional Lunar New Year experience. The snack is embodied by a soft and chewy texture that has subtle hints of sweetness. Thus, the perfect pairing for it would be a coffee with a medium roast and balanced profile.
Nespresso’s Venezia (Original) or Melozio (Vertuo) fit the bill perfectly for this particular Lunar New Year Snack pairing. The nuanced flavours of each of the coffees seamlessly meld with the nian gao’s flavour profile, bringing out its inherent sweetness to the forefront.
Almond Cookies
Almond cookies are another CNY snack that requires little to no introduction. Crispy and crumbly with hints of nutty undertones, they are the go-to snacks for many visitors during the Lunar New Year season. To elevate this classic treat, seek coffees that can complement its toasty nut flavour. A medium roast coffee with nutty notes or a dark roast coffee can be a great choice for pairing with this snack.
Vertuo’s Roasted Hazelnut or Livanto from the Original range are excellent selections that harmonise well with almond cookies. The delightful hazelnut richness from the former intensifies the nuttiness of the almond cookies, whereas Livanto’s balanced body with caramel notes adds another layer of complex flavours to the mix.
Mandarin Oranges
Mandarin oranges are synonymous with abundance and good fortune during the Lunar New Year. They also serve as a refreshing (and healthy!) treat to take a brief respite from other “heavier” Lunar New Year snacks.
With a sweet and citrusy essence, you can never go wrong with a coffee that can amplify the fruit’s natural flavours. Aim for a coffee that is citrusy like Original’s Shanghai Lungo or a coffee that has a fruity note such as Colombia from the Vertuo range. Adding a citrus-infused element to coffee is nothing new, and there have been many coffee recipes that have successfully incorporated oranges into the mix.
Check out our latest recipe, Fortune Peach, which uses Shanghai Lungo to learn more about how these flavours can blend to create a delightful and invigorating coffee experience.
Pair Your Favourite Snacks With Nespresso This Lunar New Year
Whether it’s the classic taste of pineapple tarts or the chewy nostalgia of nian gao, a perfect cup of coffee can pair exceptionally well with your favourite Chinese New Year snacks. To discover the best pairing for these snacks to enjoy at home, check out Nespresso’s wide range of Original and Vertuo coffee capsules today.
Explore Nespresso’s range of Original and Vertuo coffee machines today to enjoy the ultimate coffee experience at home.
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