Tirol Chocolate – Potato Apple Pie
There’s an old saying, that there’s no accounting for taste. For the most part I agree with that. But there are some things that I feel can possibly breach that, and create an exception. Things like apple pie. When was the last time you heard someone say they don’t like apple pie? At most there are people who are indifferent to it, but rarely will you find someone who flat out dislikes it. Of course, there are those who are exempt from the rule – the ones who are allergic to apples. I have a friend who is allergic to apples, and I have nothing but the utmost pity for her. To be deprived of such a simple, yet wonderful fruit and all the desserts that we make with it. I’m not sure if I would want to live a life like that. That and lactose intolerance would make me question if there is a God, and why he would torture me so.
Despite what the name may lead you to believe, this is actually a dessert that uses sweet potatoes (not potatoes) and apples to create a delightful baked pastry treat. In particular, this chocolate is based on the famous potato apple pie done by a specialty store known as Lapoppo Farm. It’s a specialty bakery known for it’s sweet potato pastries, and other veggie based treats. As someone who has only ever had normal apple pie, this intrigues me. My mind can kind of conceptualize how sweet potatoes would make an apple pie better, but without actually having one, it’s tough. But if there’s anything I learned during my trip to Japan, it’s that they find a way. They always find a way.
It may not be noticeable from the picture, but this variety is the larger Tirols, the ones that are sold individually, usually in convenience stores. Each one was about 40 yen, which with the exchange at the time comes out to about 0.50 CAD. I tend to prefer the larger ones, despite the price compared to smaller ones. This is usually because they tend to be more creative with the textures and the fillings. I’m hoping that’s the case with this one, cause just by sniffing the package, it smells promising. In retrospect I probably shouldn’t have done this inside the Lawson’s, but the lady at the counter was courteous enough to hide her disdain for me and my disgusting tourist ways. Ugh. Tourists ruin everything, amirite?
Looking at the bottom of this piece, I can already see what appear to be dried apple pieces sticking out. I’m already down for this. I love apples in all its forms, be it fresh, candied, dried, or saucy. I guess the only one I’m not too crazy about is apple chips. But if you put em in front of me, odds are I’ll still eat it, but not without pretending to protest their existence. I mean really, not everything has to be turned into a chip guys.
Flipping it over, we see that standard checkered pattern. I feel like it’s a miss opportunity here, to create a pattern reminiscent of an apple pie top. But I get it, cost cutting. We won’t be spending much time just looking at this thing anyways. Upon closer sniff, I smell the sweet potato. It reminds me a lot of all the other sweet potato Tirols I’ve had so far.
There’s a lot of things going on in here. It took me two bites to figure it all out. Most obvious is the dried apples. They aren’t crunchy, but still kind of soft, like dried, candied mango. Except in apple form, so not as chewy and more jelly like. There’s some biscuits which simulate the pie crust, some sweet potato filling, and in the corner some sweet potato syrup. I wasn’t joking, there’s a lot happening at once. But you know what? it comes together nicely, and has a nice apple pie taste to it. The sweet potato flavour isn’t overpowering, but does lend itself well to the apple flavour.
If you, like me are a normal, well adjusted human being that enjoys apple pie, you will enjoy this recreation of it. It’s actually not that different from a normal apple pie, and I’m guessing the only difference is the sweet potato helps to cut any potential tartness that a normal apple might have, unless it’s drenched in more sugar than usual. I am now a little sad that I didn’t buy more of these…
