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Christmas Eve in Japan is celebrated more like Valentine’s Day is in America and Europe. In the weeks leading up to Christmas, and on the day itself, young couples bask in all things lovey-dovey like taking arm-in-arm city strolls to see the illuminations, wandering around the Christmas markets, sharing a romantic meal at an expensive restaurant and eating obligatory “Christmas” cake.
However, Japanese Christmas cake is not rich, fruit-laden or even spiced with ginger. Instead, it is a light sponge cake, covered in whipped cream and decorated with fresh strawberries. And it’s delicious.
Though seemingly plain, there’s much to be said about the infamous Japanese Christmas cake. Here’s five festive facts (and some great alliteration) to enjoy while you’re scoffing your face with cake! Go on, it’s Christmas.
Click here to read more.
© Savvy Tokyo
15 Comments
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MsDelicious
Casutera with whip cream and strawberries is boring.
Alex Einz
there is much better use for whip cream and strawberries ,it also involves much less calories
sensei258
Just barely enough ingredients to qualify as a cake, but you will be charged as thought it were filet mignon, or king crab legs
kurisupisu
So not worth the exorbitant price!!!!
ifd66
Strawberries at Christmas - huge carbon footprint and tacky ....
Derek Grebe
Here's a fact - Christmas Pudding is a) tastier, b) a real tradition, c) easy to make, and d) made without strawberries, which are a summer fruit.
Anyone who spends so much time banging on about how proud they are about the unique for seasons shouldn't make summer fruit an intrinsic part of a winter meal.
peterl
And back home in America, we have the hard-as-a-rock fruit cakes that, I swear, can seemingly last forever. You can literally receive one from someone, keep it for a year, and then repackage it to give to someone else for the next Christmas.
gaijinfo
For those of you too lazy to click on the "read more" link:
1) It's everywhere
2) it's got an emoji
3) It's got deep connotations (women after 25 y/o are "discounted" Christmas cakes after the 25th are discounted)
4) It's red and white like the Japanese flag
5) it's a status thing (only rich people can afford sugar)
Tamarama
2 days ago I was asked what Christmas cake I would like by my wife from a catalogue she presented to me. In lieu of a proper christmas cake, which should be full of fruit, cherries and soaked in brandy or rum, I opted for the chocolate cake option, because I just don't rate a flimsy sponge with strawberries that aren't fresh and cream that is too sweet.
Yesterday, she spent the day berating me for my selfish choice that apparently runs the risk of ruining her Christmas, because she (somewhat suddenly I might say) deeply loves the Japanese Christmas cake.
Maa, ii ya. Betsu ni.
goldorak
@Tamarama, feel for you mate. Chocolate yule log for me. Haven't had one for years but it's about to change in a few hours time! Xmas just ain't xmas without its yule log!
Nippori Nick
Tamarama-then your wife should not bother asking you what you want if she is going to be petulant about it.
I have been married 30 years and certainly would not let my wife berate my all day. I don't know how you but up with it.
turbotsat
Dude. Buy two cakes.
Manuel D. Valencia III
Just make your own. It's more special, cheaper, and memorable.
Pukey2
I'm betting that's just as much sugar and fat (plus extra fake cheap cream), all at a 'premium' price.
coskuri
J- bakers are genius that can bake wonderful desserts... so please ban the Xmas cream tart.
It's yucky in 99% of case. Strawberry short cake can be delicious, but that's not what you get. The fruits are out of season, tasting like the greenhouse vapid veggies they are. The sponge is well named. The whip is whipped, not real cream (better for me as I don't digest the dairy one, but that still tastes like shaving cream.)
The good point is that the cheap crap I had to share every year with coworker was low in sugar...for a cake, that is. That mitigates the assault on your insulin levels.
That was in 19th century. Now only the poors still want to intake sugar.