It is the time of year for fireworks, which are a summer tradition and representative of the beauty of Japan. Among fireworks, Senko-Hanabi, or Japanese sparkers, have always captured the hearts of the Japanese because of their fleeting beauty. Do you know that each stage of a firework has its own name, from when it’s lit to fall? It starts with “bud” as the fireball gradually grows larger until it becomes “peony” with short sparkles begin to burst one by one. It then makes “pine needles” by gaining momentum, and the sparks spread in all directions till eventually it gets softened as sparkles get thinner and drop slightly like “willow.” The final part is “scattering chrysanthemum,” in which the sparks fall one by one till the last. Japanese people may see their own lives in how short-lived fireworks burn beautifully. Our pair of seasonal canelés for this month, “Salt of Guérande” and “Passion Fruits” are available from today, August 1st. The Salt of Guérande canelés are made with salty dough flavored with “fruits of the sea” or salt of Guérande, France. Please enjoy the fresh afternote spreading as the mild saltiness gently brings out its sweetness. Passion fruit canelés have the paste of the sweet white bean and passion fruits inside the apricot dough, dolled up with homemade jam made from the passion fruits from Amami-Oshima on top. The refreshing sweetness and sourness of passion fruit will bring you tropical island vibes.

花火大会が開催される時期になりました。夏の風物詩、日本の美の代表格とも言える花火の中でも、線香花火はその儚さから、日本人の心を掴んでやみません。火をつけてから火の玉が落ちるまでの段階にそれぞれ名前があるのを知っていますか？点火から次第に大きくなっていく火の玉を花が咲く前に見立てた「蕾」、パチパチと短い火花がひとつずつ弾けはじめるまでを「牡丹」、勢いを増し火花が四方八方に広がっていく「松葉」、火花の勢いが衰え、火花は細く、やや垂れ下がる「柳」、火花が一本、また一本と落ちていく「散り菊」です。日本人はこの様子を人生に重ねてしまうのかもしれません。8月の季節のカヌレは「仏ゲランド産塩」と「パッションフルーツ」が、本日8月1日(木)よりお目見えです。「仏ゲランド産塩」は”海の果実”と呼ばれるゲランド産塩を使った塩生地のカヌレです。まるみのあるしょっぱさが甘さを引き立て、爽やかな余韻が広がります。「パッションフルーツ」はあんずの生地に白餡とパッションフルーツ餡を混ぜたものを中に入れ、奄美大島のパッションフルーツを使った自家製のジャムをのせました。パッションフルーツの爽やかな酸味と甘みが南国気分をお届けします。