Tamayose offers sweets and snacks familiar to any Japanese but with a slightly different sensitivity. 'Tamayose' is Japanese for a treasure collection and true enough, easily recognizable nibbles look like treasures in this stylish and modern shop. Tamayose's patissier carefully crafts treats that are beautiful to the eye but ultimately delicious to eat. Rice chips are made from only the highest quality domestic glutinous rice.
Their most popular offering is Fukiyose. Envoking words used to describe fallen leaves in the autumn breeze, Fukiyose is a collection of 20 different carefully produced sweet and savory confection. The right texture and pattern is achieved by thinly rolling the dough into whirlpool patterns and die-cutting one by one. Addicting karinto is made with wasanbon, fine grained sugar especially reserved for Japanese sweets.
Kakinotane, named for its shape similar to persimmon seeds, come in different flavors including sweet soy sauce, sea salt, Japanese style curry, hot and spicy chili pepper, herb salt and vinegar, yuzu lemon, and plum. These kakinotane are handmade and punched over an open flame. Gently seasoned, it is a far cry from the industrial kakinotane available at supermarkets or convenience stores.
Aside from rice chips, Tamayose's cookies shine in blending the East and West. Decadent butter cookies are combined with sesame and kinako, or matcha and walnut. The result is a delightful cookie with a soft texture that goes well with coffee or tea. Their kurobo (black stick), a snack hailing from Kyushu, is transformed into an elegant confection similar to Italian biscotti and comes with either raisins or chestnuts.
Attractively packaged, a jar or tin box of Tamayose goodies makes a perfect gift for someone who would enjoy a taste of Japan.
