山形県のスイーツ１店目は米沢の人気菓子店 : Kashi Kobo Shiroi Kumo Koen Tori Ten

I visited on a holiday. Based on a quick search on Tabelog, there seem to be hardly any patisseries in the Okazaki region. While it's true that not only patisseries sell cakes, it makes me wonder if Yonezawa isn't as urban as I initially thought. To get a clearer picture of new establishments, I plan to explore more through Google Maps, which provides a vivid representation these days. I arrived at the store around 2:20 PM, and it was pouring rain. There’s parking available for more than five cars right in front of the shop. The interior is spacious, with a few groups of customers already present. As I was lining up to order cakes from the display case, I noticed about four other groups forming behind me. Perhaps it was just a busy moment, but this kind of situation usually suggests that the store is quite popular. Throughout my visit, there were consistently one or two groups of customers inside. In addition to cakes, they offer various sweets like macarons and rusks. I didn’t ask about ice packs. Given the rainy and chilly weather, I assumed they might not think they were necessary. ● [b: Cream Puff - JPY 172] The top of the choux pastry has a texture resembling that of melon bread, making it sweet and slightly crispy. The choux pastry itself is lightly sweet as well. No issues with any burnt flavor. The custard cream inside is soft and melts in your mouth. It looks rich, but the aftertaste is quite refreshing, which balances well with the choux pastry. Considering the current rise in prices, it’s actually the cheapest cream puff I've had compared to past experiences, making it a high-value treat. (^.^) ● [b: Japanese Chestnut Mont Blanc - JPY 518] When it mentions using Japanese chestnuts, it gives off a perception of being on the pricier side. Upon a little research, I found out that besides Japanese chestnuts, there are Western chestnuts, Chinese chestnuts, and American chestnuts. What kind of chestnuts are used in non-Japanese Mont Blanc? Maybe I’ll ask someday if I get the chance. Although someone might say that I would already know the answer, there's an unmistakable flavor in Japanese chestnut Mont Blanc that gives off a distinctly Japanese vibe. Of course, using Western liquor could mask that flavor; it seems counterproductive to use Japanese chestnuts and then ruin the flavor with alcohol. Personally, the Japanese chestnut flavor gives me a sense of traditional sweets, leading me to think that Mont Blanc doesn’t necessarily need to use Japanese chestnuts. If the price increases because of using Japanese chestnuts, then I’d say it could do without them! While the chestnut cream and bean paste felt somewhat rustic and unrefined, the fresh cream and sponge cake showcased the skill of this shop. The fresh cream is refreshing and melts beautifully in your mouth, and according to their website, it’s made by blending two types of Hokkaido milk, resulting in a health-conscious and not overly sweet finish that women would love. The sponge cake maintains its moisture and gently dissolves in the mouth. Although the customer in front of me cleaned out the shortcake from the display case, I could already tell why their shortcakes are so popular. ● [b: Basque Cheese Tart - JPY 453] This is a crispy tart characterized by sweetness reminiscent of an egg tart. I was undecided on which tart to choose, but I eventually picked this one as it caught my eye at the last moment. It leaves an impression of a simple yet delicious cheesecake resting on tart pastry. The cheesecake itself is mildly sweet, while the tart crust is quite sweet, making the overall dessert pleasantly sugary. While it’s nice to place some berries on the edge of the tart, I think it might be interesting to add a thin layer of slightly tangy berry sauce either on top or in between. It was a great meal. Thank you for reading today!