The Bird’s Paradise Midnight Bakery
The Wheat Bakery located in Horta da Mitra, has been patronized them when young till now for more than thirty years; I believed many locals might not aware of this shop. Most products are home-made, mainly wholesaling local supermarkets within Macau like say Seng Cheong, Veng Kei supermarkets, etc; available for sale at specific period, which, they quite popular. As a local fan like me, I would definitely visit these hard working, non-stop couples; at least once or twice a week.
Relatively speaking, their bakery store does not hold a spectacular outstanding decoration. Their design has been maintained back to the 1970s till now. They still uses manually temperature controlled, old-style bread ovens on both sides of their doorway; since these oven emits more heat, the whole shop now looks like completely smoked, due to years of repeating accumulations; as years passed, the entire shop’s wall have layered into golden color; whilst the antique “red and white squared” floor tiles, have patterned out one of old tenement block’s outlook; which now yet, still kept its nostalgic look back to the eighties properties. When entering in the shop, it felt extremely nostalgic and special; and the childhood memories immediately projected in my flash backs.
My best favorite Raisin bread
Both couples were relatively taciturn. The shop open from eleven morning till one after midnight; Once clock strikes after eight at night, the bread’s fragrance drenched the entire Rua da Mitra; one of the small street of the Bird’s Paradise. Basically after ten thirty, most of their bread almost sold to the neighborhood nearby. Majority for sale normally remain the long squared white bread loafs; these bread choice always go more suitable for other Cha Chaan Teng and other small local shops.
I particularly in love with raisin buns, like the size of my palm, offering at eight dollars for three. After a nice bite; it goes so soft and tender, though it has a light flavor, but feel quite healthy indeed; not too sweet and does not contain lots of preservatives. The hidden raisins not too much, couple or triple grained inside the bun; Flour used chosen from special Japanese and Korean suppliers, and has been using for a long time.
Other bread options
Apart from that, there are not too many bread choices. They mainly provide brown wheat buns, bread loafs, and raisin bread roll. Majority uses naturally made vegetable oil. Though most of their bread ingredient contains egg in it; their most popular bread type goes to vegetarian made bread. Lots of vegetarians have been patronizing this shop for years.
Persistence in today business
When asked about the couple’s persistence in today’s business, they claimed working in full conscience is the key. Since they have been working for so many years, their qualities maintained till today were all contributed to their long term supporting patrons. At present, most customers originate from their loyal patron’s second and third generations families; start patronizing them from childhood till present, more people start to bring their grandkids even buying their breakfasts; They sell their bread items not only to close by neighborhoods and new visitors, but also performing as long term main bread suppliers in other core supply chain stores, tea restaurants, schools etc; as well as other small business holders.
At present, they did not expect to retire that soon, but also would like to continue operate in order to show gratitude to their loyal customers who have been supporting them for years. Speaking of the shop successors, they haven’t thought that so much after all; The kind of passionate neighborhood touches is the reason why it still keep themselves continue to operate till today.
