The Delectable Japanese Choux Cream

Choux cream puffs (pronounced as “shoe”) are a popular dessert or snack food in Japan. There are many delicious variations to choose from, like cookie topped, chocolate dipped, or simply dusted with powdered sugar.  They are all so delicious it can be so difficult to decide which one to try. It is similar to a profiterole, choux à la crème, or simply, a cream puff.

The origin of this much loved pastry is France. It is said that the word “choux” literally means cabbage in French and the top of the choux cream resembles a head of a baby cabbage.

Usually the pastry shell is piped through a pastry bag or dropped into a baking sheet using a spoon, then baked until they look like large hollow puffs. The shells are then cooled and injected with delicious cream. The pastry shell can also be sliced in half and the cream piped in between the pastry shell, like a sandwich. This summer, a bakery in Japan called Fujiya has come out with “Summer Choux Cream”. They are overstuffed cream puffs that you can drink! They have coffee jelly in milk custard and milk jelly in custard flavors.

It is said that we eat with our eyes as well as our mouth. The pleasure of eating should be a delight to all our senses and not just to fill the belly. Over the years, my culinary appetite has evolved. I tend to seek texture, flavor (that’s a given), visual impact and, to a degree, the quality of ingredients that go into the food. The choux cream puff fulfills every aspect of my expectations. It is a true delight for all the senses. When you get a chance to try Japanese choux cream puffs, grab it. You will surely be in for a culinary delight.