When it comes to seasonal events in October, Halloween comes to mind.
While Halloween is often enjoyed with costumes and pranks, in 2024, an event called Kurashiki Halloween Afternoon Tea was held to fully enjoy Halloween through food.
This event was planned as part of the Kurashiki Afternoon Tea, a popular sweets event held every year, celebrating its 10th anniversary. Drawn in by the collaboration of Halloween and afternoon tea, I invited a friend and went to check it out.
I will introduce the Kurashiki Halloween Afternoon Tea, which is a bit different from previous years.
What is Kurashiki Halloween Afternoon Tea
The Kurashiki Halloween Afternoon Tea was a sweets event held from October 2 (Wednesday) to November 4 (Monday, public holiday) in 2024.
The Kurashiki Afternoon Tea, held every summer and winter, is an event where you can enjoy a unique afternoon tea featuring plenty of fruits from Okayama Prefecture. In 2024, it celebrated its 10th anniversary, and the Kurashiki Halloween Afternoon Tea was planned as a special event for this milestone.
With Halloween as the theme, the afternoon tea featured playful and visually delightful sweets.
In previous years, the Kurashiki Afternoon Tea had a condition of using "grapes and peaches in summer, strawberries in winter," but this time there were no restrictions on the fruits used.
Fruits unique to autumn in Okayama, such as figs, persimmons, pears, and chestnuts, were used, making the afternoon tea shine with the individuality of each store.
All the shops were attractive, but since my friend was interested in gluten-free options, we decided to visit Koji Cafe Dining Yukari, where we could enjoy sweets made with koji and rice flour.
To "Koji Cafe Dining Yukari"
We made a reservation in advance and headed to "Koji Cafe Dining Yukari" on October 18 (Friday), 2024.
The interior is decorated with dried flowers and other plants, and you can feel the warmth of the wooden tables and chairs. The bright interior, with sunlight streaming in, is very comfortable.
There are counter seats available, making it easy to visit even alone.
Halloween Afternoon Tea at "Koji Cafe Dining Yukari"
The first items served were a plate of jelly made with seasonal grapes and rice flour cookies and a warm pumpkin potage.
The rice flour cookies were shaped like ghosts and bats, fitting for Halloween. The expression on the ghost was so cute and heartwarming.
Next, a three-tiered plate of afternoon tea was served.
Seeing the sweets lined up densely on the plate, I couldn't help but exclaim, "Wow!" The vibrant appearance made me excited even before tasting.
The staff explained each sweet and dish to us.
On the top plate, there were mont blanc parfait, carrot cake, and pears and grapes. It was filled with the flavors of autumn.
Seeing the carrot cake with a white cross drawn on it, I couldn't help but think of overseas graves and Dracula.
On the middle plate, there were rice flour cream puffs, purple sweet potato basque cheesecake, fig tart, and cassis and chocolate mousse. In the center, there was a small glass containing sweet sake made with white koji.
The mousse was frozen, so it could also be enjoyed as ice if eaten immediately.
On the bottom plate, there were savory dishes.
Rice flour bread topped with tomato sauce and figs, carrot rapé, roast beef salad, and shrimp gratin with sake lees offered a rich variety of dishes, from warm to cold.
Since I like salty things, I was also pleased that the selection of meal items is abundant. It was definitely the right choice to come with an empty stomach.
What surprised me was that no wheat flour is used in any of the menu items. Even those with wheat allergies can enjoy sweets and cookies without worry, making it an easy afternoon tea to invite various people to.
Body-friendly sweets made with koji and rice flour
First, I tried the sweets unique to Koji Cafe dining Eucalyptus.
The first thing I tasted was sweet sake made from white koji, served in a beautiful glass.
When it comes to sweet sake, I had the image of it being thick and sweet, but the sweet sake made from white koji was not too sweet and had a pleasant acidity, making it easy to drink. It was served in a bite-sized portion, but it was so delicious that I wanted to have another cup.
Next, I enjoyed a rice flour cream puff.
The cream puff shell was light and crispy, perfectly complementing the smooth cream inside. I wondered if it would have a distinct rice flour flavor, but you might not even notice it was made with rice flour unless you were told.
I also tried the rice flour bread topped with figs. The purple color of the rice flour bread and the pink of the figs gave a slight Halloween vibe.
The rice flour bread was moist and paired very well with the chewy texture of the figs. It was a dish that made me want to eat it as a snack as well.
My friend and I chatted, saying, "This is made with rice flour too," and "Isn't that amazing?"
Chestnuts, grapes, and figs. Enjoying the flavors of autumn
The Kurashiki afternoon tea was abundant with locally sourced fruits that are essential for the season.
The chilled grape jelly had a refreshing sweetness, making it perfect for cleansing the palate. You can also enjoy the difference in texture between the nata de coco and the jelly.
The Mont Blanc parfait was topped with large chestnuts, making it very satisfying to eat. With its sweet and fluffy taste, it truly embodies the flavors of autumn. Underneath the Mont Blanc, there are three layers of hojicha jelly, panna cotta, and chestnut mousse, changing in flavor as you eat through it.
What caught my attention the most was the beautifully presented fig tart.
It seemed to use about one whole fig. The juicy sweetness of the ripe fig and the crumbly tart crust were irresistible.
It was a luxurious feeling to enjoy the seasonal flavors of autumn all at once.
From the simple sweetness of chestnuts and sweet potatoes to the tart sweetness of figs and grapes, I was able to enjoy various types of sweetness in the same sweets without getting bored.
A wide variety of drinks that all pique interest
At Koji Cafe dining Eucalyptus's afternoon tea, you can order two drinks.
While classic drinks like coffee and tea are hard to resist, I was also curious about the original herbal teas and sweet sake juice that can only be tasted here.
After much deliberation, I ordered a café au lait for my first drink.
The café au lait was served in a large cup that I had to hold with both hands, filled to the brim. The foam milk on top was fluffy and finely textured, and the rich café au lait paired well with the sweet desserts. The muted yellow cup was also lovely and autumnal.
For my second drink, I ordered the herbal tea "Jyun." I usually don't drink herbal tea, but I decided to give it a try.
The herbal tea was served in a glass pot. The moment I poured it into the teacup, a fragrant aroma spread out.
"Jyun" had a base of oolong tea, making it very easy to drink. The aftertaste was refreshing, and it paired well with the rich sweetness of the desserts.
My friend ordered the herbal tea "Tsuki," which contained chamomile, and it also had a light flavor that was soothing to the senses.
The pot contained about two cups of herbal tea, so my friend and I exchanged one cup of each other's herbal tea to enjoy.
At first, I thought, "Will two cups be enough?" However, since each cup was quite large, I was very satisfied.
While chatting, I enjoyed the sweets and tea slowly, making it a fulfilling Halloween afternoon tea for both my mind and body.
In conclusion
The Kurashiki Halloween afternoon tea was a special experience filled with autumn fruits and playful sweets.
I have previously attended the summer and winter Kurashiki afternoon teas, but this was my first time enjoying autumn fruits, making it feel like a new Kurashiki afternoon tea. I think Halloween was a perfect theme for the 10th anniversary.
The afternoon tea at Koji Cafe dining Eucalyptus had gentle flavors, leaving me with a warm feeling after finishing. Both the sweets and drinks were plentiful, so I recommend going with an empty stomach.
The next Kurashiki afternoon tea will be held from January 15, 2025 (Wednesday) to March 31, 2025 (Monday). The winter limited afternoon tea featuring strawberries can only be enjoyed during this season. Please make sure to visit as a reward for the cold winter.
Data on Kurashiki Halloween Afternoon Tea
| Name | Kurashiki Halloween Afternoon Tea |
|---|---|
| Dates | Event period: From October 2, 2024 to November 4, 2024 |
| Location | Within Kurashiki City |
| Participation fee (including tax) | Varies by store |
| Website | Kurashiki Afternoon Tea |
