Products stand out in souvenir shops for several different reasons, and the Marukome Shinshu Miso Cheese Stick Cake introduced here is a perfect example.
It attracts attention twice over: first through its familiar package character, and again through the unusual pairing of miso and cheese.
An eye-catching product can also make a souvenir more memorable when it is given to someone.
Of course, if the flavor is a major disappointment, it creates the wrong kind of memory. I therefore wanted to find out whether miso and cheese truly work together.
This is presented as a Shinshu or Nagano souvenir, although I purchased it at Michi-no-Eki Showa in Saitama Prefecture.
Marukome Shinshu Miso Cheese Stick Cake by Takachiho
A box contains six sticks and costs ¥648.
The package features the familiar Marukome-kun character, while the overall pattern resembles a traditional miso barrel. It certainly stood out in the store.
The best-before date is printed on the bottom. The box I bought was good for about one month.
Six cakes are arranged vertically inside.
The individual wrappers do not feature Marukome-kun and instead look like conventional Western-style confectionery packaging. That is slightly disappointing and makes the cakes less effective as individually distributed souvenirs.
What Does Marukome Shinshu Miso Cheese Stick Cake Taste Like?
Let us try one.
After tasting it, I was surprised by how little miso flavor appeared.
Only a faint miso aroma emerges in the aftertaste. Without being told, many people might not recognize it at all.
The cheese is not particularly strong either, but the cake itself has a rich buttery character and tastes very good.
With this gentle flavor, even someone hesitant about miso in sweets should have no difficulty enjoying it.
Anyone specifically looking forward to a bold miso taste may find it underwhelming.
Overall, it resembles a well-made baked confection from a good pastry shop. It pairs beautifully with either milk or coffee.
The stick shape is easy to eat, and the size is just right for a snack when you feel slightly hungry.
Thank you for the treat.
Marukome Shinshu Miso Cheese Stick Cake Product Info, Expiration Date, Manufacturer
| Product Name | Marukome Shinshu Miso Cheese Stick Cake |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer / Seller | Takachiho Co., Ltd. |
| Address | 5888 Mamejima, Nagano, Nagano Prefecture, Japan |
| Expiration Date | Approximately 1 month from purchase |
| Place of Purchase | Michi-no-Eki Showa |
| Price | ¥648 |
