Gaga Over Granola

Inever used to eat breakfast regularly, but the range of strange and exciting breakfast foods here in Japan has changed that. It seems like granola here is very popular with the locals. Kellogg's Japan alone has at least 6 types in its granola product line, and they all come in convenient resealable packages. Why has this packaging innovation not made its way to Singapore yet? Lazy me hates having to hunt for an empty air-tight box after opening a box of cereal, and then having to squeeze the packet into the box, crushing the cereal in the process. 

Say hello to my granola collection: 

From left to right: Kelloggs all-bran fruit mix granola, Kelloggs fruit granola half-fat, Nissin uji matcha granola

Yes, I know. But this many is necessary. I keep all-bran on the left as a back-up, eat Kelloggs fruit granola (the one in the middle) for breakfast, and enjoy Nissin's uji matcha premium granola (on the right) for dessert. Each of these 500g packs can last me for around a week and a half, but your mileage may vary. 

The matcha granola is by far the most unique of the three, and also the most interesting taste-wise and texture-wise. 

Green cereal! Who would have thought...

matcha tofu cube hiding behind the strawberry and chestnut pieces

The taste of matcha is subtle and noticeable only for the first few spoonfuls, but the beans, strawberries and tofu pieces complement the grains and cereal and keep my tastebuds interested. Never would I have thought that tofu would go so well with cereal. The tiny dried tofu cubes absorb milk and transform into jiggly jellies that melt on the tongue, earning their place as the highlight of every bowl.  For this reason, I enjoy this granola best when the ingredients are given some time to rehydrate in milk. The cereal grains are very crisp and hold their structure well even when soaking for a long time. The strawberry pieces here are also exceptional - they taste sweeter and more fragrant than the ones in Kellogg's fruit granola. 

For sure, this granola is one of the things that I will be buying packs of for souvenirs and for myself before flying home.  Nissin's uji matcha granola is western food with an unapologetically Japanese twist, one that my tastebuds certainly agree with.