Madame Shinco Day

What Is Madame Shinco Day?

December 14th is "Madame Shinco Day" in Japan. "Madame Shinco" is a confectionery brand operated by Cow Cow Food System Co., Ltd., headquartered in Osaka, best known for its signature Baumkuchen cake, "Madame Brûlée." The company established the day in honor of the birthday of its founder, Madame Shinko (born December 14, 1951), and it is certified and registered by the Japan Anniversary Association.

Madame Shinco's Signature Products

• Madame Brûlée: A signature creation that coats the outside of a traditional Baumkuchen cake in a caramelized cream — combining the rich aroma of caramel with the moist, layered texture of the cake underneath.
• Baumkuchen and other sweets: Alongside its Baumkuchen, the brand sells items such as the "Tongari Choux" cream puff, plus seasonal limited editions.
• A Kansai-born brand: Based in Osaka and popular as a gift and souvenir.

The Culture of Baumkuchen

Baumkuchen is a German confection whose name literally means "tree (Baum) cake (Kuchen)," a reference to the cake's distinctive ring layers that resemble tree growth rings when sliced. It's made using a unique technique of repeatedly layering batter onto a rotating spit and baking it in stages. In Japan, it's said that German pastry chef Karl Juchheim first sold Baumkuchen at an exhibition in Hiroshima in 1919, at the building now known as the Atomic Bomb Dome. Since then, Baumkuchen has evolved in its own way in Japan and become a classic gift.