Matsumoto is a lovely place. And the produce you see most of around this time of year is apples. Yellow apples that have a hint of pear flavour, red sweet juicy apples that have a nice crunch. Apples the size of a grapefruit, in cakes, biscuits, wafers, apples as crisps, juiced in bottles to go, dried apples, and so on and so forth.
I got two of each kind, on my way back to the station from the castle. A young woman was sampling them outside the store and she let me pick the ones I found to my liking. Later on I picked a lovely box of apple biscuits from the Midori food hall.
(or so says the translating app)
The wider region seems to be a cornucopia of tasty produce, known for a variety of ‘must try here’ items. It is also a region famous for its waters, which, may easily contribute to the taste of the fruit (chestnuts, grapes, apples) and the wheat with which the soba noodles are made of. You can find several famous wells around the city, and I do recommend you bring your water bottle to fill.
Next: Nagano Food!
The best mini apple and custard pie I had near the gate, and start of the row of stores to the Zenkoji temple. It was hard to ignore the sweet scent emanating from what looked like a boutique store the posters colourfully displayed a half moon of pastry topped with caramel sauce and another half-bitten into with custard.
I opted for the “less sweet” apple and custard. It was just on the cusp of being a tad too sweet, but if I had a cup of coffee, it would balance it just right.
It was a delight. I wish I had had two more. But one must measure these things. The compulsion to finish whatever is on the plate or the fridge can only be contained if one’s portions are smaller. This pie was just the right size. Should you find yourself in the vicinity, I urge you to give it a go. I don’t think I can look at another apple pastry the same way again.
Oyaki Buns
I had three of these little buns: 1x pumpkin, 1x sweet potato and sesame seeds, 1x bitter greens. The store I stopped at, was closest to the temple gate. The difference in price to the stores further down, was around the 10% mark. As I’ve heard it said before, this could be an added ‘spiritual’ value. However, the taste was great! Not long after I thought this is the kind of food your grandmother presents to you in a basket, covered with a cotton blanket to keep it warm. Then she sends you off, to walk through the woods, and back to your parents. Worth every bite.