Wagashi Experience

Wagashi is the Japanese term for Traditional Japanese confectionery, artisanal as it is most of the time made only by hands, it is truely the Japanese abundant culture and traditions interpreted through the art of Wagashi. Each piece is carefully crafted from sugar, adzuki paste, flour and glutinouse rice flour.

In courtesy of the Japan Foundation and in cooperation with CCA Podium and The Podium Mall, three Japanese Pastry Chefs (specialized in Wagashi) were sent to the Philippines to present their wonderful art and techniques on a demo for free. The exclusive demonsration with hands on was held at CCA Podium, while another batch was held at The Atrium of The Podium Mall for public viewing.

Will you believe? Each piece costs about 10,000 pesos each! Made from the cherry tree the molds are available only at Kyoto. This set was handed down by their master/sensei from generation to generation,really priceless!

What amazes me is not only their skills but their value for their traditions, they opt to use years old wooden tools and molds that has been passed on generation to generation. Each piece of Wagashi tells a story, can be really expensive but imagine a rich experience that comes with it.

The Wagashi requires a very expensive type of Sugar, about 1,500 Pesos per kilo. The sugar is whiter than regular table sugar, and resembles Iodized Salt.

When already dried, can be as hard a cement and Pastillage!

Beautiful in Photos, more beautiful in person

Each piece costs about 250 Pesos, the Pink one is the hardest to make as you can notice the pattern is inverted. According to the Chefs, a licensure examination is needed in Japan for a person to professionally work as a Wagashi Chef, it requires great skills, discipline and years of experience.

DORAEMON'S FAVORITE!!!!!!!!! For everyones' information It's not Hopia, it's Dorayaki!

These were also hand made.. amazing!

No, it's not a bark.. yes it is, but it is hundred percent Wagashi! amazing!

The girls on hands on

Time to eat! nom nom!

We patiently wait for the demo to finish as the Chefs said "We prepared something for everyone to take home" and everybody went like "Awwwwwww!" so sweet!

Tastes really good! I ate these at Hong Kong, I had a nostalgia!

I'm sorry, I was the person to finish these. I suck on mochi you know :) My favorite!

Looks like from Lotte or Meiji, but no! these were freshly baked

The Japanese Chefs were very strict with sanitation. A factor that makes each Wagashi expensive, since it is hand made it cannot be stored too long for a week. Wagashi tools varies, "depending on the size of your hands" as they say, anything that has good grip for you may be used. Anything from chop sticks, tree bark or wood that has been sharpen. Each tool is unique from Chefs to Chefs, each set tells a story, and yes, each design as well is unique. Very Very clever.

Thank you to Japan Foundation and The three Chefs!(sorry the names were in Japanes characters but will give credit again soon!) Visit the Philippines again soon! Sayonara!