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Juchheim Co., Ltd. opened a new confectionery shop called "kikoricake" on July 21, 2023 on Nene-no-Michi Lane in Kyoto. This is their first store in Japan.
Kikoricake’s journey began with its pilot store in London’s Mercato Metropolitano (MM) on June 30, 2023. The concept of this sweets shop revolves around gathering world-class delicacies and offering innovative culinary creations to their customers. Andrea Rasca, founder and Chief Executive DreaMMer (CED) of MM, is driven to create a diverse market specializing in sweets, exploring beyond just the taste to a new realm of possibilities.
A unique collaboration has emerged for kikoricake in Japan. The first is THEO, a dedicated AI-powered Baumkuchen cake baker, a technology developed by Juchheim. Also known as tree cake, Baumkuchen is a type of layered German sponge cake popular in Japan. THEO specializes in crafting this cake with precision. The other collaborator is Badiani, a renowned gelato shop that marked its Asian debut in Kobe’s Motomachi area on July 1, 2023. Together, they've crafted an unforgettable new delicacy.
Sweets unite to create surprising delight: A fateful encounter with THEO's Baumkuchen
Baumkuchen originated in Germany, but the art form continues to be innovated largely in Japan, including the development of state-of-the-art baking technology like THEO. Andrea Rasca met THEO in London and tasted Baumkuchen made using this impressive technology. From the first bite, he was blown away by the fantastic flavor.
At the time, THEO was in London training to bake Baumkuchen on-site in locations throughout the world. This aligned perfectly with Andrea Rasca's vision, and so the two began working together. THEO can craft Baumkuchen on par with artisans, providing freshly baked cakes for customers anywhere in the world. This ability sparked an idea for Andrea Rasca: pairing freshly baked Baumkuchen with creamy gelato. After creating a prototype and tasting the delicious confection, he was convinced that the combination would be a huge hit.
The birth of kikoricake and delicious "wa"
Kikoricake was devised as a "gateway" to sweets throughout Japan and a "junction" of sweets from all around the world. The word "kikori" means "lumberjack" in Japanese, and is a reference to the word baum, which means "tree" in German. The name reflects Andrea Rasca's deep interest in Japanese culture.
The delicious sweets at kikoricake are created with many concepts in mind. In Japanese, "wa" refers to traditional Japanese culture, customs and cooking. Kikoricake's recipes are imbued with "wa" and capture the essence of Japanese culinary arts. While respecting tradition, kikoricake also utilizes incredible new technology like THEO. The future of sweets is limitless, and kikoricake is always searching for new ways to excite their customers.
From London's MM, a gathering spot for gourmets, to Kyoto, Japan’s cultural heartland: kikoricake's debut in a city brimming with tradition
Kikoricake, a combination of Baumkuchen and gelato, was unveiled for the first time at MM.
Kikoricakes are sweets made with Baumkuchen and gelato.The ingredients used in kikoricakes are inspired by local food culture and artisans. As more kikoricake stores open, they plan to make more kikoricake variations that will be named after each location. Following the first location in London, the second shop opened in Kyoto, which happens to be Andrea Rasca's favorite city in Japan. Kyoto is rich with history and tradition, the perfect location for this confectionery shop that honors Japanese customs while looking forward to the future of sweets.
The Kyoto Kodaiji location is nestled amongst old-fashioned cobblestone roads and historical townhouses. The traditional atmosphere and local flavors create an immersive Japanese experience totally unique from the London location.
Combining the charm of Japanese tradition and kikoricake to create: kikoricake Kyoto
In the Kyoto location, THEO bakes fluffy Baumkuchen right in the store. The cakes are topped with creamy gelato and drizzled with freshly brewed Uji matcha green tea from Kyoto just before serving. This dessert, called “kikoricake kyoto”, offers a delicate, smooth sweetness unlike any other.
The Baumkuchen are freshly baked and served warm, a perfect match for the smooth gelato, and the sweetness is balanced by the bitter matcha green tea. kKikoricake has skillfully blended traditional Japanese and international culinary techniques to create a truly unique delicacy.
Menu using Uji matcha green tea unique to Kyoto
Gelato float
A scoop of Badiani’s creamy milk gelato floating in Uji matcha green tea from Kyoto. Also available as a latte.
Badiani gelato, matcha green tea flavor
Just like the kikoricake kyoto and gelato float, this gelato is made using matcha green tea from Marukyu Koyamaen, a long-established company in Kyoto. Enjoy the rich, bittersweet flavor of green tea. (You can order two or three flavors of gelato.)
Kikoricake official Instagram: Kikoricake_jp
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