Japan – Honey Castella

by Zayna Khan

INTRODUCTION

This is a soft, spongy, fluffy, super moist cake with a honey glaze over it. This is actually the most fluffy and spongy cake of Japanese Cuisine. This is sold in many varieties but honey glazed one is the most sold and cooked cake in Japan. Its texture is very fine and light in weight. It has a huge amount of air content to gets the exact fluffiness and sponginess. This is also a kind of Japanese Confectionery delight known to be as ”WAGASHI”.

It is traditionally baked in rectangular shape and then cut and served with famous Japanese sweetener, ”MIZUAME”

There are many other similar cakes sold all over the world like France, Italy, Turkey, etc.

There are different names of this cake like:

• Spongy cake
• Castella
• Kasutera
• Honey glazed kasutera
• Kastella
• Casutera, etc.

WAGASHI

Wagashi is the Japanese confection delight, mostly sweets or desserts are served. It is like a tea party after confession. It is served with green tea and other sweet items. From old tradition, they serve nuts, fruits, some fruit juice as confectionery treats. But with time, the dessert dishes were introduced to the WAGASHI, like :

• MOCHI
• CASTELLA
• ANMITSU
• DANGO
• ANKO
• AZUKI BEANS PASTE, etc.

ENTYMOLOGY OF CASTELLA

The name of this cake came up in the 16th century by the Portuguese. The word is derived from PAO DE CASTEIA, which means Bread From Castile. Castile cake is slightly long, rectangular, and sold inboxes. These are around 27 cm long.

SIMILAR SPONGE CAKES

There are following similar spongy cakes sold around the world:

In French : Pain d’Espagne

In Italian : Pan di Spagna,

In Portuguese : Pão d’Espanha

In Romania : Pandi șpan

In Turkish : Pandispanya

In Spain : Castile Cake

In Philippines : taisan 

FLAVORS OF CASTELLA

There are all possible flavors of cake can be baked like :

• Chocolate
• Green Tea
• Coffee flavor
• Wasabi
• Caramel
• Matcha
• Strawberry
• Lemon
• Honey
• Vanilla, etc.

With the complementary side items to accomplish the whole cake appearance and taste like :

• Whipped cream
• Jam
• Chocolate
• Hazelnut cream
• Butter frosting
• Maple syrup
• Custard
• Custard cream
• Fruits
• Nuts, etc.

VARIETIES OF CASTELLA

There are following castella varieties :

1. Green Tea Castella

This flavor is very exotic flavor of castella. Japanese green tea cake is very popular and has a separate fan following.

2. HONEY CASTELLA

This is also a traditional cake with amazing sweetness and taste.

3. MINI CASTELLA

From the festivals these are very famous and sold as small dessert treats.

GLAZE OF CAKE, CASTELLA

MIZUAME

Mizuame is a water sweetener and mild jelly water sweetener of Japan. It is clear, stick and thick liquid syrup made up of sugar. It is very similar to corn syrup in taste and texture.

INGREDIENTS OF CASTELLA

• White plain flour : 2 cups
• Eggs : 6
• Sugar : 1/2 cup
• Butter : 1/2 cup
• Water : 1/3 cup
• Honey : 4 tablespoons
• salt : pinch

COOKING METHOD

• Pre heat the oven for around 320 degree until the mixture is prepared.
• Sieve the flour for at least 4 time to get exact fluffiness while cake making.
• Now beat the eggs,until they get fluffy.
• This air content in the eggs make it fluffier cake.
• Add sugar, butter, salt, honey in the flour with eggs and fold it with light hands.
• Prepare the rectangular mold with butter paper and pour all the mixture into it.
• Now bake it for 20 minutes on 160 degrees.
• Serve with honey on the top.
• Enjoy 🙂