Pineapple cake, or "Feng Li Su," is one of Taiwan's most iconic pastries and a popular souvenir among tourists. These small, rectangular pastries feature a buttery, shortbread-like crust encasing a sweet and tangy pineapple filling. The contrast between the crumbly, melt-in-your-mouth exterior and the jammy interior creates an irresistible combination that has won hearts worldwide.

The history of pineapple cakes is deeply intertwined with Taiwan's agricultural development. In the 1900s, Taiwan was a major pineapple producer, and these pastries were created as a way to preserve the abundant fruit harvest. The name carries symbolic meaning in Taiwanese culture - "pineapple" sounds similar to "prosperity arrives" in Taiwanese Hokkien, making these treats popular gifts for special occasions and celebrations.

Creating authentic Taiwanese pineapple cakes is a labor of love that requires patience and precision. The filling is made by slowly cooking down fresh pineapple with maltose and winter melon (which helps achieve the perfect texture) until it becomes a thick, fragrant jam. The pastry dough, made with butter, flour, and powdered sugar, must be carefully handled to achieve the right balance between firmness and tenderness. Each cake is meticulously assembled by wrapping the filling with the dough and pressing it into molds to achieve its characteristic shape.

While traditional pineapple cakes contain pure pineapple filling, modern variations have emerged to cater to different tastes. Some bakeries offer versions with mixed fruit fillings, while others experiment with premium ingredients like aged pineapples or organic butter. You might also find seasonal variations featuring local ingredients or special editions with elaborate packaging for festivals and holidays.

In Taiwan, these pastries are available everywhere from humble neighborhood bakeries to high-end shops specializing exclusively in pineapple cakes. They're commonly served with Chinese tea, which helps balance the sweetness and complements the buttery pastry. During festivals like the Mid-Autumn Festival or Chinese New Year, elaborately packaged pineapple cakes become popular gifts, symbolizing wishes for prosperity and good fortune.

Each pineapple cake typically contains around 180-200 calories and is relatively high in carbohydrates due to the pastry and sweet filling. While they're not particularly high in nutrients, they can be enjoyed as an occasional treat. The pastries contain gluten from the flour and dairy from the butter, so those with related allergies or intolerances should be aware. Due to their rich nature, it's recommended to enjoy them in moderation, perhaps one or two pieces at a time with tea.