The Food52 blog has put together a recipe for a decadent cheesecake that is infused with traditional Japanese ingredients. Although black sesame seeds are an extremely important part of Asian cuisine, this ingredient is still largely uncommon outside of Japan. This dish uses the tasty seeds to add a nutty flavor to a creamy cheesecake dessert.
This recipe celebrates traditional Japanese ingredients through the addition of matcha powder and black sesame seeds. The first layer of the cake is a simple hazelnut-shortbread crust. The following layers feature a combination of cream cheese, matcha powder and black sesame seeds. The final product is not only visually stunning but is also extremely delicious. The matcha powder delivers a subtle green tea flavor while the sesame seeds provide a rich and nutty taste.
The dish is the perfect way to experiment with delicious ingredients from the Far East and is health-conscious to boot.
What's Driving This Trend
- Japanese Ingredients in Western Desserts
- There is an opportunity to introduce traditional Japanese ingredients into Western-style desserts to create unique and delicious flavor combinations.
- Healthy Desserts
- There is a growing trend for health-conscious consumers looking for new and inventive ways to satisfy their sweet tooth.
- Alternative Flours and Crusts
- The use of alternative flours and crusts, such as hazelnut-shortbread, provides an opportunity to add new textures and flavors to traditional desserts.
Who This Affects Most
- Food and Beverage
- Restaurants and food companies can add unique flavors and ingredients to their dessert menus to appeal to adventurous eaters and health-conscious consumers.
- Baking and Pastry
- Pastry chefs can experiment with traditional Japanese ingredients and alternative crusts to create new and innovative dessert offerings.
- Health and Wellness
- There is an opportunity for health and wellness companies to promote alternative flours and ingredients in desserts that cater to health-conscious consumers.
