Hirosaki City is home to another Starbucks Coffee outlet in Japan housed within a restored historical building—the Former 8th Division Commander’s Residence. This location is centrally situated near City Hall and the Sannomaru Ōtemon Gate of Hirosaki Castle.
Each autumn for the past 11 years, Starbucks has featured the Aomori Custard Apple Pie (¥600) on its nationwide menu. The pie is entirely handmade in Aomori Prefecture, from the harvesting and processing of apples to the production of the pastry.
Two apple varieties from Aomori Prefecture are used: the tip of the pie features juicy, sweet Fuji apples, while the rest is filled with sweet-and-sour Kōgyoku (Jonathan) apples. These apples are layered over custard.
Served cold, the pastry had a crispy texture and buttery quality, though it was not flaky. The cubes of Fuji apple (yellow in hue) at the tip provided a rich, honeyed sweetness that made the first bite indulgent. In contrast, the Kōgyoku apple (brown in hue) balanced sweetness with tartness throughout the remainder of the pie. The prominent but enjoyable cinnamon notes added warmth and vibrancy to the overall flavour. Both apple varieties retained a firm bite and gentle crunch.
The Kōgyoku apples’ juicy tartness was well complemented by the creamy sweetness of the custard base, which also provided a smooth textural contrast to the apples’ crunch and the pastry’s crispness. This harmonious balance of textures and flavours made the pie an enjoyable treat.
This seasonal apple pie is worth revisiting annually as an indulgence, given the opportunity.
Starbucks Coffee is located in Former 8th Division Commander’s Residence (Hirosaki City Mayor’s Residence) at 1-1 Kamishiroganecho, Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture 036-8207, Japan.