Walking Down Memory Lane: The Little Nyonya Comes to Life in Melbourne
Peranakan Cuisine is a beautiful blend of Food, Culture and heritage since the 15th century. Peranakan culture is usually described as a hybrid of Chinese, Malay and Western cultures. While specific cultural practices and customs may differ from generation to generation and family to family, there are a few elements common to Peranakan culture. One such element is the language and also food. Therefore, the Nyonya food can be summarized as "Malay Archipelago Delicacies of Nanyang Cuisine". From the Malay influence, a unique "Nyonya" cuisine has developed using typical Malay spices.
Many have been enjoying the beautiful flavours, colours and benefits of My Blue Tea's Butterfly Pea , Pandan superfoods and now Dragonfruit + Roselle. Some may not realise that these two (Butterfly Pea & Pandanus) humble plants have actually been used for centuries in Malacca (Penang, Singapore, Kelantan, Indonesia and Thailand) by the Peranakans.
The Peranakans were the first to create their own unique cuisine using Pandan and Butterfly Pea in their kuehs and a variety of other dishes. These two ingredients alone have made Peranakan cuisine stand out and given it a distinctive colour and flavour that is so easily recognisable. Our predecessors favoured natural hues, whereas contemporary preferences tend towards artificial colouring which tend to be harmful.
Peranakan Association of Melbourne (PAA Melbourne)
"The Peranakan Association Australia Inc (PAA Melbourne), also known as Melbourne Peranakans, is a vibrant multigenerational community with a vision to preserve, propagate and promote the Peranakan culture and values. We have become a “home away from home” for many Peranakan migrants from Malaysian and Singapore and a place to belong for the Australian-born Peranakans".
We are delighted to announce our collaboration with Peranakan Melbourne for this upcoming event. They have generously allocated some seats for our valued guests, friends and customers and those who like to learn about Peranakan and enjoy some food. Moreover, Peranakan Melbourne is enthusiastic about imparting knowledge about Peranakan history, culture, and cuisine, which we will have the pleasure of experiencing firsthand at the conclusion of the event.
In Melbourne PAA, it is customary to have a sharing session at the conclusion of each meeting. So, if you decide to bring a dish of your culture and background, please do.
Before the day ends, we may also “joget” and if there’s time, to introduce you Peranakan card game called Cherki. Joget (Jawi: جوڬيت ), is a traditional Malay dance that originated in Malacca in the colonial era.
Cherki is a popular card game originating from Malacca played by the Nyonyas of olden days. There will also be kid's activity tables that will be set up by PAA Melbourne.
Taste of Nyonya - Melbourne - What's in Store?
Taste of Nyonya & Mooncake + various demo
Sunday, 29 September 2024,
Venue : The Pines Senior Citizen Centre
25 Central Road, Blackburn VIC 3130
Time : 12.30 noon (registration) -3.30pm
Our team of Pastry Chefs, Home Chefs and friends will be sharing :-
(1) Pulut Inti Mooncake
(2) Momoyama Mooncake (if time permits)
(3) Cupcake frosting/piping
(4) Sambal Prawns/Ikan bilis**
(5) Chicken curry (Nyonya)
(6) Various presentations by Peranakan Melbourne
How to join Taste of Nyonya - Melbourne event?
Date - 20th July 2024 till sold out
How - When you buy any Mooncake mould along with either Dragon Fruit Powder or Butterfly Pea Powder totaling $60.00, from 19th - 31st July, 2024, you will receive a spot to attend the event.
*Dress to impress, as the first attendees will have the best chance.
*Only 10 spots available.
*If you're not in Melbourne but qualify, you can nominate a friend or family member to attend on your behalf.
*Once your spot is confirmed, you will receive an email notification and be featured on our Facebook Page.
We may have lucky draws, door gifts, best dress prize and plenty of food to share. For more information and clarification, please contact us, at MyBlueTea. For new subscribers, you will enjoy 10% on regular products and 20% savings for loyalty programs or a special code will be created for Peranakan Melbourne members for a limited period.
If you are interested, you are also encouraged to join Peranakan Melbourne for their monthly social meets. Please visit their website for the application form or speak to the President and team during the event.
What to wear at the Taste of Nyonya - Peranakan Melbourne event?
To get into the spirit of understanding Peranakan culture and to add a touch of festivity, we suggest wearing a Kebaya for ladies and, for men, batik shirt, if you have one available.
A Nyonya kebaya is typically identified as a sheer blouse, made using lightweight fabric. Sarong. It is a large length of fabric sewn together to form a wide tube. The sarong is worn by both men and women in many parts of Southeast Asia. The sarong kebaya is not just a piece of clothing; it is a tapestry woven with threads of history, culture, and tradition. It's a beautiful representation of the Peranakan culture's ability to assimilate different influences, ultimately resulting in a unique and vibrant identity.
Admire the stunning attire of Fan Bing Bing wearing a Kebaya during her June 2024 visit to Melaka, as she represents Melaka (or Malacca) as the Tourism Ambassador. Malacca was once the world's merchant gathering point enabling the birth of Baba and Nyonya ethnic group.
For those who are not familiar with Fan Bing Bing, she is a popular Chinese actress, television producer and pop singer. Fan rose to fame in Asia in 1998-1999 with the mega-hit TV series, My Fair Princess.
Melaka with Fan Bing Bing in the gorgeous Baju Kebaya, designed by a local, Kenny Loh couture.
The Peranakan are the descendants of the first large Chinese diaspora in the Malay peninsula. First appearing in Melaka in the 1500s, the Peranakan are descended from Chinese settlers who settled in Malay towns and intermarried with the local womenfolk.
Some Perankan food ie we given a twist to Pulut Inti and made it into Pulut Inti moonake .Get Pandan Sermuka and Nasi Kerabu, originated in Kelantan by Peranakan of Kelantan.
It will definitely be a fun and amazing time of cooking, demo, joget and eating and get together community spirit. Hope to see you there! Before we head back to Sydney the next day.
Kam siah and terima kasih for joining us in this event. Jumpa Lagi!!
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