Castella (food)
Castella ( Japanese カ ス テ ラ , formerly also: 加 須 底 羅 or 粕 底 羅 , each Kasutera ) is a cake from Japan that is considered a Nagasaki specialty . The main ingredients are flour , sugar , egg and the potato / rice syrup mizuame .
history
When the Portuguese were the first Europeans to enter Japan in the 16th century, they introduced many products that were previously unknown in Japan. These included B. firearms, tobacco and also in the beginning Kan'ei era (1624–1644) the Castella. Its name is derived from Bolo de Castela for "cake from Castile " or pão de Castela for "bread from Castile".
It could be stored for a long time and was therefore useful food on a long, often months-long voyage. At that time Japan was in the Edo period , when the regime only allowed the Portuguese to trade in Nagasaki's port. Back then, Kasutera was an expensive dessert due to high sugar prices.
Over the years, Castella continued to develop in Japan and various flavors were created.