ぱりそら
The B1 floor of Hankyu Umeda Main Store is lined with popular Western confectionery shops to traditional Japanese confectionery stores. Among them, Tartine, a tart confectionery specialty shop, is particularly popular for its stylish packaging. The cute brand logo featuring twin girls and the sweets in tin cans are also popular as gifts. Despite feeling hesitant due to the always-present line, I finally mustered up the courage and arrived on a Sunday around 11 am, only to find a line of nearly 20 people already formed. As I waited in line, I carefully examined the products displayed in the showcase. The signature Tartine comes in two varieties: the classic Strawberry and the limited-time Winter Praline Chocolate. I decided to try both by choosing a cute canned product.
- Tartine Square Can (Small) 1,772 yen (3 Tartine Strawberry, 3 Tartine Praline Chocolate, 2 Tora Cookies)
First, I tried the Tartine (Strawberry). The tart cup with a flower shape is filled with a vibrant pink strawberry cream. Beneath the rich strawberry cream, a berry sauce with a hint of acidity flows out, followed by a white chocolate with strawberry flavor at the bottom. Despite its small size, it has a two-layer structure that allows you to enjoy various flavors and textures. The top is decorated with a white chocolate plate and sweet-sour freeze-dried strawberries, creating a delicate finish. The strawberry flavor is stronger than expected and not too sweet.
Next, I tried the Tartine (Praline Chocolate), a chocolate-based limited-time product. The thick and fragrant tart is generously filled with a creamy praline chocolate cream. Beneath the fluffy praline chocolate cream, there is a firm hazelnut praline. The crunchy almond caramelized topping adds a crispy and fragrant flavor. Although it disappears in an instant, the combination of the crunchy praline chocolate and the melting praline chocolate cream is delightful.
Lastly, the Tora Cookies are a satisfying size with a cute tiger face shape. The surprisingly thick cookies have a crispy texture with a distinctive layered feel and a pleasant buttery aroma. The subtle and fragrant scent may be due to the orange peel. The unique hardness and the taste that allows you to feel the abundance of butter and eggs remind me of homemade cookies (at the highest level).
While Tartine may seem a bit pricey considering its size, its flavors and textures are elegant, and the toppings are well thought out. However, in terms of taste, it may not leave as strong of an impression compared to famous patisseries in Osaka. Nevertheless, the popularity of Tartine is likely due to its appealing appearance (cute can and packaging design) and high rarity value. Personally, I prefer the taste of authentic buttery baked goods, even if they may look plain. I would still be happy to receive Tartine as a gift, but I may be satisfied after trying it once if I were to buy it for myself. It was nice to be able to try this trendy confectionery. Thank you for the meal!