A Mont Blanc made with Japanese Chestnut

Waguri Mont Blanc

Brand: Patisserie Mon Plaisir

Price: 710 yen

Place of purchase: Patisserie Mon Plaisir

Rating:

I know it can be quite confusing when a patisserie sells two products that look very alike and also have a very similar name! It took me a while to get the difference by appearance for the two different type of "Mont Blanc" offered at Patisserie Mon Plaisir. By taste it is easy: the Waguri Mont Blanc is, in my opinion, the better of the two. They both cost the same (710 yen before tax), so it comes down to taste preference. Unlike some Mont Blancs that focus mainly on sweetness, this cake highlights the flavor of Japanese chestnuts, known as waguri, which are prized for their rich aroma and natural sweetness. Fine strands of chestnut cream are carefully piped over a filling of fresh cream and custard, all sitting on a crisp tart shell. This particular version was dressed up for Halloween!

While this Halloween Waguri Mont Blanc is beautifully made and undeniably charming, there are a few reasons it may not appeal to everyone; mainly the cost. At ¥710 before tax for a single serving, it is firmly in pâtisserie territory rather than an everyday dessert. It was always expensive, but the price actually went up considerably in the last few months. For the same amount, some shoppers could purchase several supermarket sweets or even a small cake or two or three tarts to share with family. The other problem is that it has a very short shelf life. They recommend eating it the day you buy it. Which indicates how fresh it is. But if you don't want the pressure of eating it the same day you buy it, you might want to opt for something else.