When you want to unwind.
When you have earned a reward.
When you want to have a good tomorrow.

Chocolate, with its sweet aroma and taste to match, is the magic potion  to heal our bodies and souls.

And for this reason we made our way to Jacaranda Blue in Ginowan in search of this coveted chocolate.

At first you may think that the words chocolate and Okinawa may seem strange together, however  the cacao beans which are an ingredient of chocolate are from a tropical plant which grows in hot humid regions.

When it seems like it is getting too hot to bear, eating something that has actually been produced in a hot climate is actually quite beneficial for your body.

If you are in Okinawa this is a taste that you must try. Let’s start our search for the coveted pieces of chocolate

Contents
1. What kind of shop is Jacaranda Blue ?
2. Full of Okinawan Ingredients Jacaranda Blue Chocolate
3. Sweets – Taste Okinawa
4. Jacaranda Blue – Information
5. The beloved pieces of chocolate.

If you follow the signs , pass through a line of houses  and make your way to the top of a slight slope  you will find Jacaranda Blue.

Waiting for you at the door is a sweet smell that invites you in leaving you wanting more.

Using things that are locally produced / local production for local consumption is an idea based on the French pastry industry led the chef to create his pride and joy which is chocolate confectionery.

We are welcomed by the sight of the “Vendeuse” selling the sweets at the head of the store. Turning our eyes to the glass case at the front of the store, we find  what we are looking for.

 

Simple and quaint, with an aura that could not be concealed, the Parisiennesque “Bonbon Chocolate”.

The chocolates were so beautiful that the sight alone caused me to let out a gasp,however with chocolates names such as  “Miyako Miso” and  “Haru Ukon” something was a little odd.

I couldn’t get my head around most of the labels, but I did learn that the names had great significance around the Okinawan dinner table.

Jacaranda Blue is the place where you can experience the taste of Okinawa with chocolates that include local ingredients.

The chef pays respect to the ingredients taken from the locality and to the producers using the ideals of French confectionery to breathe life into these bonbon chocolates.

Okinawa Chocolat  Box of 9/￥2,300 includes (tax)

I like chocolate with a unique taste.
I recommend the (Okinawa Chocolat)  Box of 9/￥2,300 includes (tax)

The well wrapped chocolate can be a treat for yourself or it can work perfectly as a souvenir present for someone special.

The feeling of excitement when the box is being opened is worth every moment. Seeing that you have gone to all this trouble make sure to taste and compare all 9 chocolate varieties.

According to the Vendeuse a great way to enjoy this  delicious chocolate is to first slowly it melt in your mouth before eating it.

And she was right, if you eat it this way with every breath you take, you’ll take in the sweet smell of the chocolate, giving you double the happiness.

 

1: Miyako Miso
The malt taste you feel in your tongue feels strange but goes well with the chocolate. Even after you finish eating, there is a pleasant after taste. A chocolate for adults. We recommend having it with alcohol.

2: Brown Sugar
The marvelous combination of the aromatic and sweetness of the brown sugar mixed with the bitter cacao taste. Although it is rich in flavor it only leaves a slight aftertaste.  It has a taste we would recommend even for those who don’t often indulge in chocolate.

3: Tankan

Tankan is a citrus fruit that is often eaten in Okinawa similar to a mandarin. The bitter-sweetness of the peel, the citrus smell plus the bitterness of the cacao brings out an undeniably delicious taste.

4: Island Chilli (Shima tougarashi)
Drop a little on the tip of your tongue, for a slightly ethnic and flavorful fragrance. Shortly after experience an unexpected level of spice. This single drop of temptation, will leave you wanting to eat more.

5: Haru Ukon (Spring Tumeric)
If at first you notice the aroma of the tumeric, then you will slowly start to smell the cacao. However, if at first you notice the  cacao smell, then the aroma of ukon will slowly make an appearance. A chocolate with an aroma you can enjoy. Goes well with a strong green tea.

6:Shimamaasu
Shimamaasu is Okinawan salt. The moment it touches your tongue, you will taste it’s strong, sweet, salty flavor. Surprisingly smooth with conflicting tastes creating harmony. In this one piece of chocolate the rush of sweetness is almost poetic, just the memory of the taste is enough to make you happy.

7: Jiimamii
Jiimamii refers to peanuts. This piece comes with a taste that you think you may be familiar with but once you try it, you will realize that your expectations have betrayed you. Even the taste of the peanut is something quite spectacular You will have to try it and see!

8: Fuuchibaa
When we talk about fuuchibaa we mean Japanese mugwort.  Compared to the mugwort used in Japanese sweets, this has a different feeling. The vibrant floral smell is its main feature  You can enjoy a new type of deliciousness.

9: Shima Koshou (Island Pepper)
Shima Koshou is often referred to as Pibachi  This is a chocolate with a spicy, herbal aroma similar to cinnamon that goes well with coffee.

△ Macaron/  1 for ￥160 (including tax)

At Jacaranda Blue as well as chocolate bonbons there a re a variety of sweets made using local Okinawan ingredients.

Usually made using Almond powder, these macarons are made using peanut powder after going through a week long oil extraction process. With a light crunchy texture, you can also enjoy the aromatic scent of the peanuts.

As well as flavors such as vanilla and framboise , you can also enjoy Okinawan flavors such as brown sugar and Japanese mugwort .

They are beautifully wrapped so we also recommend these as souvenirs.

 

△<Okinawan Coral  Box of 5/￥400 includes (tax)

We would like to recommend the Okinawa Sango, which only became available as a result of the endless research, experimentation and trial and error of the chef.

The white caramel softly melts as soon as it touches your tongue spreading a mellow aroma and sweetness throughout your mouth. It has a gentle after taste, yet a strong flavor unbelievably created from simple ingredients.

As hinted  in the name there is real coral inside, as you reminisce about your vacation with friends enjoy the caramel’s strange yet wonderful taste.

Jacaranda Blue | Shop Information
■ Address : Okinawa, Ginowan City Nagata 1-8-7 Maison Tomori
■ Telephone : 098-892-8654
Opening Hours：11:00 ~ 19:00
■Regular Holidays : Tuesdays and Wednesdays
■ Car Park : Yes ( 3 spaces at shop front)
■ Website : https://jacarandablue.ti-da.net/

Except for fresh cakes, most of our products can be　delivered regionally. Take home chocolate without having to worry about it melting due to changes in temperature.

You can contact us in advance and book a delivery. For further details please contact us by phone at the number above.

We would like all our visitors to return home relaxed and with a smile. As we know it is not an easy to get to location, it is our aim to create a place where our customers can enjoy from the very moment , they head out to us, whilst they are choosing their sweets right up until the moment they open the box.

Of course we want to create delicious treats people can enjoy eating, but we also want to spread the joy that can be found when eating them with a friend or giving them as presents.

These are the words of the Chef and Vendesue delivered to me with a warm smile by Mr and Mrs Tomori. Any of the arrangement of sweets at Jacaranda Blue are bound to tickle anybody s fancy.

Just one piece is enough to put a smile on your face.

Try one of the treasured chocolates and feel the real Okinawa in a fabulous shop nestled alongside Okinawan houses.

Written by : mochiking