Tips on how to prepare Suan Tian Ku La for your wedding gate crash!
Sour (酸）
1. Citrus fruits
The fruit with highest acidity and likely one of the most sour fruits conveniently found across Singapore is none other than Lemon. While its other peers such as grapefruit, lime, orange and pomelo could be equally effective at awakening the senses of the groom and his band of brothers, Lemon is still the most commonly chosen fruit for its sour yet palatable (for most) taste. While these fruits are sour enough when eaten on its own, you can always take it up a notch by blending a medley of healthy citrus fruit juice for the groom.
Gatecrash from Kang Wei & Jamie’s Wedding
2. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple Cider Vinegar is a fermented vinegar made out of apples. It is known to have many health benefits such as lowering blood glucose levels and improving heart health. One method to serve this to the groom and groomsmen would be to make a tonic drink out of it by mixing 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with lemon juice.
Image taken from KraftHeinz (n.d.)
3. Kombucha
Kombucha is a fermented drink that has been popular since the 1990s for its health benefits such as aiding digestion and removing toxins. Many would describe its taste as a vinegary soda. A sip of it would be sufficient to agitate one’s taste buds.
Image taken from Raman (2018)
4. Greek Yoghurt
Greek yoghurt is a fermented food that has a distinctive sour taste. Depending on one’s taste bud, Greek yoghurt may be an enjoyable healthy breakfast treat for some.
Image taken from Fairprice (n.d.)
5. Sour Candies
Not all candies are sweet, some are sanded with an acidic coating to give a tart taste. The popular ones found in Singapore that can be nostalgic for some of us would be Nobel Super Lemon Candy and Warheads. You can find them in Fairprice or online grocery stores such as Redmart and Shopee!
Image taken from Candy Empire (2022) & Prestigio Delights (n.d.)
Sweet (甜）
1. Sweetener
While Sweet is the number two on the 酸甜苦辣 list, to symbolise sweet and blissful union of the couple, normally Sweet is the last taste prepared for the groom before he unveils and fetches the bride. Often we see healthy options like Honey, Pei Pa Koa and the occasional condensed milk. A memorable few times, we recall these sweet liquids placed in baby milk bottles and the groom had to empty everything within the milk bottles.
Gatecrash from Desmond & Kylie’s Wedding
2. Bubble Tea
Probably one of the most favoured Sweet challenges served to groom and groomsmen. Some bridesmaids have shared that to live up to the Sweet challenge, the bubble tea purchased are of the max sugar level of 120%. While the sugar level seems like a bit of an overkill, this is likely a more pleasant and enjoyable Sweet challenge.
Gatecrash from Abel & Angelynn’s Wedding
Bitter (苦）
1. Bitter Gourd
Bitter gourd is definitely the top one ingredient used in the Suan Tian Ku La game. Many bridesmaids would either get the groom and groomsmen to eat the bitter gourd raw or juice it into a nasty drink.
Gatecrash from Shaun & Sok Yee’s Wedding
2. 24 Medicated Herbal Tea
24 herb tea is a cantonese drink that works all-round to relieve all sorts of common illnesses like cough and flu. However, the catch is that it has a foul smell and an extremely bitter taste. Just like what Confucius said, “Good medicine tastes bitter”.
Video screengrab from Norman & Audrey’s wedding
Spice (辣）
It is recommended to prepare milk for the groom and groomsmen before beginning the spice segment.
1. Daebak ghost pepper spicy chicken noodles
This instant noodle is the spiciest that you can find in the grocery store. The noodles score 1,000,000 units on the scoville scale, making your mouth burn within a bite.
Image taken from Sukri (2019)
2. Samyang
The Samyang brand is well known among many Singaporeans for its spiciness. Add the sauce into your desired food or even drink (if it is safe!)
Gatecrash from Ming De & Yu Fang’s Wedding
3. Wasabi
Wasabi is infamous for its nasal burning sensation when too much is taken, forcing one to shed tears from the pungent flavour.
Gatecrash from Abel & Angelynn’s Wedding
4. Bird’s Eye Chilli (Chilli padi)
Chilli padi, a common spice that can be found in Singapore, measuring up to 100,000 scoville units despite its small size. Eating it raw can instantly give you the urge to get a cup of water.
Gatecrash from Kang Wei & Jamie’s Wedding
