Japanese Food Tips

Sweets called castella are very popular in Japan. The prototype is said to have been passed to Nagasaki Prefecture in Japan by a Portuguese missionary in the mid-16th century. (Nagasaki prefecture is located in the northwest part of the Kyushu region, the southernmost island of mainland Japan.) Castella evolved as unique yellow sweets and now have became widespread throughout Japan. Basically it is made of flour, sugar and eggs, and is poured into a large rectangular mold, which is baked in an oven. It is characterized by its fluffy texture (due to the long time the eggs are whipped) and its sweetness. It is usually made and sold in confectionary shops, supermarkets and department stores rather than made at home. There are also types that include milk, green tea and chocolate. If you are interested in castella, it is available throughout Japan. If you would like to try making castella, please check out our castella recipes.