Customers impressed with the king of fruits and Malaysian products

Yummy treat: Tastiway sales manager Lai Xing preparing a durian ice-cream for a customer.

QINGDAO: It was “bliss at first taste” for many Chinese customers who sampled Malaysian durian and coffee at the 2015 Malaysian Gour­met Cultural Festival Roadshow here.

“The taste is quite pleasant,” said Li Li, 35, who tried different types of coffee available there, and went home with a packet of instant white coffee.

The event was co-organised by Malaysia External Trade Develop­ment Corporation (Matrade) and Parkson China.

Twenty companies and government agencies took up booths at the event held at the Parkson China store in the coastal city of Qingdao, which is brimming with tourists enjoying their summer vacation.

The event is part of the Malaysia Kitchen Programme, an initiative to promote Malaysian cuisine and food products in overseas markets.

Durian ice-cream, durian puffs, bird’s nests and cookies were among the products offered.

Army officer Wu Di, 32, tried durian ice-cream for the first time yesterday. He found the dessert more acceptable than the fruit itself.

“I just couldn’t bring myself to swallow the durian flesh. But this is good.

“I wouldn’t mind having the ice-cream again,” he said.

Li Wenbin, 35, bought coffee as gifts for his friends. Having seen Malaysian products in supermarkets elsewhere, the doctor from Fuyang, Anhui province, was lured by the promotional prices.

“I am happy to chance upon the road show,” said Li, who was visiting Qingdao with his family.

Parkson Retail Group Ltd regional general manager Wu Dan said this was the second time it was hosting the event.

“Promoting Malaysian products is our responsibility. Judging from the encouraging response from customers last year, we have begun to offer more varieties of Malaysian products in our store like curry powder and biscuits.”

Malaysian ambassador to China Datuk Zainuddin Yahya said Malay­sian businesses would have access to a huge consumer group with a growing purchasing power if they gained a foothold in the Chinese market.

“What the customers enjoy here today is the distinct flavour of Malay, Chinese and Indian recipes blended and captured in one spoonful,” he told guests at the opening ceremony.

After Qingdao, the roadshow will be held at Parkson outlets in Taiyuan and Datong in Shanxi pro­vince.