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Instantly Instagrammable Asian Desserts Are ‘An Adult Acquired Taste'
Instantly Instagrammable Asian Desserts Are ‘An Adult Acquired Taste'

Epoch Times

time10-05-2025

  • Entertainment
  • Epoch Times

Instantly Instagrammable Asian Desserts Are ‘An Adult Acquired Taste'

By Sono Motoyama Pittsburgh Post-Gazette PITTSBURGH—My Japanese grandmother lived on the opposite coast when I was little. I only met her a couple times, but she would annually send a box of homemade Japanese treats, including red bean-stuffed buns. As a kid growing up in a New York suburb, these were not exactly something I yearned for. I probably—no, definitely—would have been happier if she sent us Twinkies and Hostess Cakes. Apparently now, though, Japanese red bean is having a moment, along with other Asian desserts. A twentysomething acquaintance said he enjoyed Asian desserts because they don't 'feel like they're immediately going to give you cavities.' Though he admitted that red bean was an 'adult acquired taste, like coffee.' On social media you can see an eye-popping array of Eastern desserts, including mochi in all the colors of the rainbow, the cutest little animal-shaped dessert buns and yes, red bean-filled taiyaki. Related Stories 8/10/2023 9/28/2023 Kyo Matcha, Forbes Ave. Sono Motoyama/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette/TNS 'A Hot Concept' As an adult, I would occasionally enjoy going to Chinese bakeries—the kind where you pick a trayful of sweet and savory treats with tongs—that you find in Chinatowns. But now they're in the most unlikely places, including Memphis, where I recently lived. It most decidedly does not have a Chinatown. Indeed, trend trackers Carbonate Insights has proclaimed, 'Asian dessert cafés are one of the hottest concepts of 2025.' It cites as evidence South Korean chain Paris Baguette, with locations in more than 20 U.S. states; Taiwan-based 85°C Bakery Cafe, in 10 states; and French-Asian bakery Tous les Jours, with over 100 locations in the U.S.—including Shadyside. The gateway drug is bubble tea, which incited interest in other Asian desserts and snacks. Social media multiplied the curiosity among millennials and Gen Z. Another draw was that many dessert cafes are open late. (Thank you! What's up with coffee shops and cafes closing in late afternoon?) These dessert cafes offer non-alcohol-based but high-design social hangouts. On a recent evening midweek, the photo-ready interiors of New York-based chain Mango Mango and Japanese chain Kyo Matcha, only a few yards from each other on Forbes Avenue in Squirrel Hill, were buzzing with a young crowd. Both opened within the last year. Mango Mango in Squirrel Hill, Forbes Ave. Sono Motoyama/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette/TNS Substance Over Style But as we welcome these sleek newcomers, we shouldn't forget the previous generation that paved the way. Sumi Chun who emigrated from Seoul, Korea, runs Sumi's Cakery in the Strip District with her husband, Jun. (Previously, the shop was in Squirrel Hill.) She touts her strawberry layer cake, green tea cake, and mocha cake. She had no professional cooking experience when she started her business—she taught Korean dance in her home country—but perhaps fittingly for such social media-ready edibles, she learned how to bake from the internet. 'Almost every bakery has a strawberry cake,' she said. 'Mine is special.' It is ultralight, she said, because she uses whipped cream as a topping instead of butter cream. Pink Box Bakery, in Squirrel Hill, opened around the same time as Sumi's Cakery—in the 2010s. It is currently run by Hong Yang, a Taiwanese immigrant who took it over from his wife's siblings. It has hints of an old-style bakery, with trays to stack up your treats. It carries a wide variety of sweet and savory buns (including red bean), taro bread, and some intriguing-looking, colorful mochi cakes. Like Chun, Yang takes pride in making everything in-house and using the best ingredients, preferring substance over style. Most of his pastries are traditional Taiwanese offerings, he said. Perhaps the Instagram-ready newbies and the traditionalists could learn a thing or two from each other. Sumi's Cakery in the Strip District. Sono Motoyama/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette/TNS Copyright 2025 PG Publishing Co. Visit at Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Dear Readers: We would love to hear from you. What topics would you like to read about? Please send your feedback and tips to

Fruit peels: Don't throw away the healthy part of these 9 fruits
Fruit peels: Don't throw away the healthy part of these 9 fruits

India Today

time01-05-2025

  • Health
  • India Today

Fruit peels: Don't throw away the healthy part of these 9 fruits

When enjoying your favorite fruits, it's common to toss the peels aside. But did you know that the skins of many fruits are packed with nutrients, antioxidants, and fiber, often surpassing the flesh itself?Here's why you should think twice before discarding the peels of these nine fruits-and how you can benefit from including them in your diet.1. Apple Apple peels are a powerhouse of nutrition, containing significantly higher amounts of vitamin K, vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, potassium, and antioxidants compared to the flesh alone. The skin is also rich in fiber, which aids digestion and helps keep you full OrangeOrange peels are loaded with vitamin C, fiber, and potent antioxidants like flavonoids. They support immunity, aid digestion, and even help lower cholesterol. The zest can be used in teas, desserts, or as a natural flavoring in dishes.3. BananaBanana peels are rich in vitamins B6 and B12, magnesium, potassium, and fiber. They can be used as a natural teeth whitener, soothe skin irritations, and are even edible when cooked or blended into smoothies.4. MangoMango peels contain mangiferin, a powerful antioxidant, along with vitamins A and C. They may help protect against UV damage and support digestion. Mango peels can be used in marmalades, pickles, or baked as chips.5. KiwiKiwi skin is surprisingly edible and provides 50% more fiber than the flesh alone, as well as folate and vitamin E. The fuzzy texture is similar to a peach, and eating the peel boosts your intake of antioxidants and PomegranatePomegranate peels are rich in vitamin C and antioxidants. They can help detoxify the body, support heart health, and soothe sore throats. The powdered peel is often used in teas or as a natural remedy.7. CucumberCucumber skins are packed with insoluble fiber, vitamin K, potassium, and antioxidants like beta-carotene, which support bone health and eye function. Leaving the skin on adds crunch and nutrition to salads and snacks.8. WatermelonThe white rind of watermelon is high in zinc, potassium, magnesium, and vitamins A and C. It aids digestion and helps the body eliminate toxins. Try pickling the rind or adding it to smoothies for extra nutrients.9. PearPear skins are a great source of fiber and antioxidants, helping to regulate blood sugar and support digestive health. Eating pears with the skin on maximises their health EAT FRUIT PEELS?Peels often contain more vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants than the to 31% of a fruit's fiber can be found in its skin, supporting digestion and in peels help fight free radicals, potentially lowering the risk of chronic of antioxidants can be up to 328 times higher in fruit peels than in This article is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a healthcare provider before making significant changes to your diet, especially if you have allergies or health conditions. Ensure fruit peels are thoroughly washed and sourced from safe, pesticide-free produce before consumption.

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