Generally, one does not pair cakes with precious stones. Then again, if you can have a wedding cake that is studded with 500 Swarovski crystals, why not rice cakes topped with diamonds? In the Philippines, the more affluent Chinese-Filipinos are rushing to buy rice cakes that are covered in gold and studded with diamonds ahead of the Lunar New Year. These cakes have been moulded in the shape of rabbits in a bid to attract good luck in the Year of the Rabbit.
Foil made of 24-carat gold drapes these rabbit-shaped rice cakes and a few small diamonds add to the glittering effect. Obviously, the gold and the diamonds have made the price of these rice cakes shoot up. There are priced between $500 and $2,700.
Chinese-Filipinos have a tradition of ringing in the Lunar New Year by sharing rice cakes among friends and family. This year, the Lunar New Year is on Thursday, and many well-to-do Chinese-Filipinos are likely to pick up some golden rabbit-shaped rice cakes.
These rice cakes have been custom-made by entrepreneur Angelito Araneta Jr. The sweet rice cake, known locally as Tikoy, was wrapped in 24-carat edible gold leaf, then studded with a single diamond. Wealthy Chinese-Filipinos have apparently ordered for thirteen such rice cakes, worth 21,500 pesos each (about $485). The most expensive rice cake that Araneta Jr. has created this year was a specially ordered piece – a two-diamond gold encrusted rice cake. This came with a price tag of 12,000 pesos (about $2710). But for prosperity-seekers, that is a small price to pay.
Via: AOL News
