Oita Prefecture has many exotic confections. Following " Zabire" by Zabire Honpo, we introduce "Don Francisco" by Kikuya.

Kikuya's "Don Francisco

The unusual product name "Don Francisco" is a reference to the baptismal name of Otomo Sorin, a Christian feudal lord who contributed to the development of cross-cultural exchange in Oita. The black-toned wrapping paper depicts exotic people along with the name of Otomo Sorin. If you look closely, you can see that each person is dressed differently and stylishly.


The box inside is also designed in a Namban style. The large ship painted on a black background is impressive.


Although the name does not give an idea of what kind of pastry it is, it is a crème d'amande dough made with European almond paste, layered with homemade jam and baked. There are two types: blueberry jam and apple jam. The purchase price for an assortment of 3 pieces each is 580 yen.


About the size of a lid, the dough is an appetizing color. The outside is slightly crispy and the inside is moist. The aroma of wheat and almonds is softly wafted into the nose.


The blueberry jam is very fruity, using melon puree, plum puree, and grape vinegar in addition to blueberries. The bright purple jam's acidity is a perfect match for the rich dough.


The apple jam has a delightful texture of diced apples that can be slightly felt in the sticky jam. The flavor reminds me of apple pie, with a mild sweetness. Please enjoy it with a cup of tea.


By the way, "Don Francisco" won the Monde Selection Gold Award for 17 consecutive years in 2019. If you are unsure of what to buy as a souvenir from Oita, please remember the "famous Namban confectionery" with its proven deliciousness.