Christmas at Home... Increasing Varieties and More Elaborate Cakes

Seoul Westin Chosun Hotel 'Chosun Deli' Christmas Cake.

[Asia Economy Reporter Seungjin Lee] This Christmas, influenced by the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), spending a modest party at home has become the trend, and the variety of Christmas cakes has become more diverse and elaborate. As Christmas is spent at home, more consumers are seeking not only the taste of the cake but also the visual enjoyment.

According to the hotel industry on the 25th, this year, the variety of Christmas cakes has expanded compared to last year. This is because last year's Christmas cake sales increased by more than 20% compared to the previous year, and demand is expected to increase further this year due to the impact of COVID-19.

First, Lotte Hotel Signiel Seoul's 'Pastry Salon' introduced the 'Mont Blanc Christmas Log.' The Mont Blanc, which contains chestnuts, is covered with white chocolate to represent a snow-covered log.

Signiel Busan, which opened this year, will also present its first Christmas cakes with the 'Christmas Tree Cake' and 'Pine Tree Cake' at the 'Pastry Salon.' They utilized trees and pine cones, which are reminiscent of the Christmas season. At the bakery Delica Hans of Lotte Hotel Seoul and Lotte Hotel World, from December 15 to 25, eight types of Christmas cakes, two types of cookies, and one type of cake pop will be offered.

Seoul Shilla Hotel Christmas Cake 'White Holiday'

Seoul Shilla Hotel launched two special limited Christmas cakes at its bakery 'Pastry Boutique.' The signature tree-shaped 'White Holiday' appeared again this year. It is so popular that a dedicated fan base has been formed, with customers seeking only this product every year. Also, the 'Snowflake Wishes,' which can only be tasted this Christmas, is popular.

At Seoul Westin Chosun Hotel's 'Chosun Deli,' three types of Christmas season limited cakes?'Santa's Gift Cake,' 'December White Cake,' and 'Pastel Forest'?were introduced. Christmas cakes, which can be ordered by reservation at least three days in advance, are reported to have almost sold out most of the prepared quantities.

The department store industry also introduced a large number of unique cakes limited to Christmas. Godiva at Lotte Department Store Main Branch launched a 'Chocolate Layer Cake' for the first time targeting the Christmas season this year. At the Main Branch and Jamsil Branch's Six Oven, and Daejeon Branch's Seongsimdang, unique European-style Christmas season limited breads such as Stollen, Panettone, and Pandoro were introduced, reflecting diverse demand.

Lotte Hotel Seoul World 'Noel Cake'.

Hyundai Department Store Trade Center Branch's 'Bezzley' offered a 'Christmas Tree Cake' in a limited quantity of 250 at the store. It is characterized by shaping a Christmas tree by sprinkling green tea powder on fresh cream and topping it with star-shaped cookies, and all quantities were sold out.

Due to COVID-19, online cake orders have also grown explosively. Shinsegae Food's own online-exclusive bakery brand 'Becia Enouveau' reported that cake sales from last month to the 15th of this month increased by 296% compared to the same period last year. Especially in this month, the peak sales season for cakes, sales surged up to 381%.

An official from the distribution industry said, "This year, spending Christmas at home has become the trend, and more consumers are looking for more elaborate cakes even if they are expensive," adding, "Most of the limited quantity cakes have already been sold out."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.