Le Cerisier d’Amour

Thanks to the abundant waters of the Nagara River, many sake breweries have flourished along its banks for centuries. Drawing on this local heritage, the Le Cerisier d’Amour Nagara Store creates and sells cakes made with sake lees from nearby breweries. One of their signature treats is the Sake Lees Cheesecake, which was first created when the nearby brewery Nagara Tarutsuna Honten brought over their sake lees and asked, ""Could you turn this into something special?"" The brewery's sake, Nagara Izumi, is made using a natural pressing method without applying pressure, resulting in sake lees that are exceptionally moist and fragrant. Unlike the drier sake lees typically found in supermarkets, the rich texture and aroma of these lees surprised the pastry chef tasked with developing the cake. Inspired by the concept of fermentation, the chef combined the sake lees with cheese, a fermented ingredient from Western cuisine. After about three months of development, the Sake Lees Cheesecake was born — a harmonious blend of Japanese and Western flavors. The cake has a rich and elegant texture with a delicate hint of sake lees. The subtle aroma of alcohol that lingers as you take a bite becomes surprisingly addictive, making it an easy-to-enjoy dessert. Seasonal flavors like chocolate, matcha, and pumpkin are also available. Whether as a treat for yourself or a gift for family and friends, Le Cerisier d’Amour's unique cheesecake is worth a visit.