Pineapples grow really well in Taiwan because of the warm, humid weather. Farmers grow long rows of them in the south of the island. The fruit is harvested, peeled and cooked down with a little sugar until it becomes a thick, sticky jam. Some bakers add a touch of winter melon to make it less sharp.
To make the cake, the baker wraps a ball of jam inside a square of pastry dough. The cake is pressed into a small rectangular mould and baked until golden. Once they have cooled, they are wrapped individually in shiny paper, ready to be packed into pretty gift boxes.
Pineapple cakes are a lucky gift in Taiwan. The Taiwanese word for pineapple - 'ong-lai' - sounds a lot like the words for 'good fortune is coming'. So giving someone pineapple cakes is a small, sweet way of wishing them good luck. People often take a box when visiting a sick friend or starting a new job.
Bakeries all over Taiwan compete to make the best pineapple cake. Some use only pure pineapple jam; others use a mix. There are even chocolate-coated versions and pineapple cakes shaped like fruits, animals or buildings. The annual 'best pineapple cake' competition in Taipei is hotly watched.