The Thorngrove Table

Wonderful Wagashi

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Sakuranbo (Cherry Jelly)

I went to a rather splendid RA exhibition of Cranach the Elder's work last month and having time (and money) to kill, indulged myself by visiting state-of-the-art Japanese confectioners, Minomoto Kitchoan, down the road. There I bought myself (and tatanatanya) several seasonal wagashi.

Tanya ate the Iwamura (Plum Jelly) wagashi, which she thoroughly enjoyed. Somewhat unsurprisingly, my first choice of treat was the Sakuranbo, or Cherry Jelly (photo above). This was almost too beautiful to eat, however when I did it was delicious. The jelly & cherry were light, sweet and delicately flavoured and scented. I loved the dissolving sensation of the jelly in my mouth.

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Wagashi in their wrappers, in front of the accompanying green tea
Back row, L-R: Yuka (Citron Jelly), Iwamura (Plum Jelly), Sakuranbo (Cherry Jelly).
Front row, L-R: Ayaichigo (Strawberry Jelly), Kurizutsumi (Bean Cake).

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~Yuka (Citron Jelly)

Yuzu (japanese lemon) has a distinctive taste that is wonderful in both sauces and sweets. And with the aid of a little colouring, was the most amazing vibrant shade of greenish yellow as you can see (although admittedly I Photoshopped the shadows in a sudden fit of artsiness). There were little curls of yuzu rind in this very tasty wagashi and it smelt divine.

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~Kurizutsumi (Bean Cake)

This was an Azuki (Red) Bean & Chestnut Paste-filled pastry, topped with Sesame Seeds. The Japanese do such fantastic things with chestnuts - one memorable dish being chestnut icecream at Toku, the Japan Centre restaurant, last year. Slightly more filling and solid than the other wagashi but just as yummy.

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~ Ayaichigo (Strawberry Jelly)

OK, it may look like some type of Gelatinous Monster from Star Trek, but it's actually another kanten/agar agar sweet (yes, I am inordinately fond of those). This proved to be my favorite offering. The innards were a stawberry paste that managed the oft-difficult trick of combining a distinctive but delicate scent, a fresh strawberry flavour and a pleasurably smooth paste texture into one highly enjoyable combination.

Easter Egg Coolness

This, for those of you who haven't already suffered my geekgirl squeeing over it, was my Easter egg this year*. Amusingly enough the foil was black (who puts black foil on an Easter Egg?!?), but the best part was, when you pressed the button, a little Dalek voice demanded, "EXTERMINATE!". So I did.

Exterminate the egg that is, not the human race.
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Lousy photo taken by my mobile phone

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*From the usual Twinney 'I haven't bought you an egg, go out and buy one and say it's from me and I'll do the same' exchange.