Tasty Hokkaido Goodies

Last year it was indeed a, some might say envious, task trying and evaluating over 100 Hokkaido cheeses. Some are very so-so, but there are others out there which are world class. A particular favorite find would have to be the Shin Sapporo blue cheese.



It is made just outside of Sapporo, and is rich and creamy with a great blue flavor. It reminds me of a French St. Agur. It has a fair surface mould which covers the creamy inside pate that is flecked with blue mould.



We're enjoying that with some crusty bread and local butter. mmmmmm



Not to mention the giant plate of Hokkaido meats we're sampling tonight, all in the name of research, or course. Including pork salami, venison salami, soft boerwurs, Sekka's dried cherry tomatoes and pickled cherries.



Another great day in the office !!

Eff Eff, Annupuri

On our first visit to Annupuri we tryed to go to Eff Eff with Sh. We got there a bit late, though... Ever since then we'd been meaning to get back there. Here's a little old cottage tucked away at the base of Niseko Annupuri. The little sign on the front boasts "Ham & Sausages", awesome!



Walking in it feels like Grandma's house .. The fire was going, there's little vase's of flowers and plenty of knick-knack's lining the walls.



But then there's a small little showcase at the front filled with packets of house cured meats, hand-made sausages and ham. I believe it's all produced down below. We want to get a few things to go to take back and have a look out, but there's also a small little menu that you can sit down and enjoy.

Firstly comes a plate of sliced speck. It's nice and salty, with a good firm texture. It smells amazing! The 7 slices are draped over a little salad of crisp lettuce and tomatoes with a nice vinegary dressing. Yum!



As we're enjoying this, we see our selection of sausages being grilled over a little charcoal grill.



Then they arrive, hot from the grill. There's a weisswurst - a German style white sausage, a spicy pork sausage and a few little weiners. They are served with a good whack of mustard, ketchup, potato salad, sliced gherkin pickles and 2 lonely little beans .....

It was all delicious! Everyday we are amazed at what this little part of the world has to offer ......

Eff Eff
Annupuri Village
Hokkaido, Japan