マーサ
Jomoto Seika's yokan, my second purchase of the new year. I have completely fallen in love with it. Long ago, yokan was something that you would find in the corner of a bento box. It would come with gifts for the elderly, or as part of a funeral meal, among other occasions. The bento boxes from catering services would typically be divided into four sections, with rice (or okowa or black rice), salt-grilled salmon, teriyaki chicken, fish paste, simmered dishes (such as oden or chikuzenni), rolled omelette, simmered shrimp, and pickles being common items. And in one corner, you would find yokan. A perfectly cut triangular piece of yokan snugly fit into place. It had a visual presence and stood out, even though it was unclear when you were supposed to eat it during the meal. When I was a child, whenever my parents or grandparents brought home a bento box, my siblings and I would share the meal. And even though I wanted the chicken due to my love for meat, I often ended up with the yokan. Despite losing out on other items, as long as I had yokan, I was content. The deep black color, the sharp edges when cut, and the perfectly flat calmness at the top. To a child craving sweetness (perhaps during wartime), it shone brighter than anything else. Back then, yokan, especially as part of a bento box, probably wasn't that tasty. It was likely coarse, overly sweet, and had a cloying texture that would make even the bravest shy away from a cup of strong tea. As usual, this introduction is long. Nowadays, the trend is towards less sweet desserts, as sugar has become the villain due to the urban legend that sweet things equal high calories. This led to yokan, a sugar lump, being avoided. Catered bento boxes are no longer as common. Perhaps it's due to convenience stores taking over. Now, one-bite yokan has become mainstream, and the thick yokan is considered outdated, meant for women who want to avoid overeating. However, these same women who avoid sweet treats tend to overeat everything else but sugar. I digress. Now, about this yokan. I've been curious about this shop for about ten years. Upon researching, I found out that they started retailing in 2006. Finally, I gathered the courage to buy some. All the yokan is the same, just in different sizes. There are variations in size, from directly packed in a container for gifts to large board-shaped pieces cut into various sizes. I sliced it open. The smooth surface, the effortless feeling as the knife cuts through. You can feel the care put into making it even before you taste it. I started with a thin slice. Smooth as silk, with a subtle sweetness. Delicious. Then, I tried a thicker slice. Equally delicious. The smoothness, softness, and restrained sweetness are elegant, enough to surprise even Toraya. It's not mass-produced, but the quality is exceptional, and the price is reasonable. Why did I not try this sooner? I only have regrets. By the way, the gift version, packed directly in a container, tends to lack the smoothness that some fans of the shop desire. Personally, I enjoy the slightly coarse texture, but for those who prefer a smoother yokan, I recommend trying the gift version, which can last for about a week. It's truly impressive how this shop competes with just one type of yokan, differentiated from others visually and in taste, and manages to deliver outstanding results. I admire their dedication. For those who love sweet treats: ===========