Summer is usually accompanied by good weather, trips to faraway destinations and after-dinner meals in which time is paused. And if we put all that together we have an excellent opportunity to taste some of the most typical desserts from different latitudes of the planet and combine them with a Cuban mini cigars.
Speaking of summer and desserts, we must logically start with Italian gelato, which is thicker than conventional ice cream and homemade with cream. Without leaving the country of “the boot”, the classic tiramisu – sponge cake soaked in coffee with mascarpone cream and cocoa powder- is a perfect option-, when served cold.
In Spain, although traditional desserts are not disappearing from the menu, hot days are welcomed with cooler options, from nougat ice cream to Valencian horchata. We suggest pairing it with a Cohiba Wide Short, a Cuban min cigar with soft a medium strength.
On the European border we have the famous yogurt with honey and nuts or baklava, which also reigns in Turkey and other regions of the Middle East, a delicious pastry filo dough, with pistachios and a bath of syrup with honey. It is not exclusive to the summer – we know -, but if you are traveling in the area this vacation be sure to try it.
For its part, Japan allows us to enjoy kakigori, a kind of shaved ice ball accompanied by syrup, condensed milk or matcha tea. Another option is mochi, a small cold rice ball traditionally filled with anko – a red bean paste -, but now available in flavors such as chocolate, fruit or tea. And for such exotic options, we recommend Partagás Serie Mini, a cigarrillo with an intense aroma and tasty and sweet touches, which at the palate will form a symphony of pairing.
Fruits, with variations depending on the country, are the protagonists of many desserts in America: fruit tarts or jellies in the U.S., with lime or blueberries, for example; açaí na tigela in Brazil; or biónicos, a fruit salad bathed in cream, originally from Guadalajara (Mexico) and which has been included in the ranking of the best desserts in the world according to ‘Taste Atlas’.
We cannot forget the tres leches cake, typical in Latin America, a sponge cake soaked in evaporated milk, condensed milk and cream that is eaten cold – straight out of the fridge -, which makes it a perfect option for hot days. Being a rather sweet dessert, it is ideal to combine with a soft – Cuban mini cigar, such as Guantanamera Minutos, or, if you have a little more time for table talk, you can enjoy it with a Guantanamera Décimos.
This tour around the world could go on, but after such a walk through the sugariest side of gastronomy, we are forced to stop, order a dessert, light up a Cuban mini cigar and let the smoke mix with the sweet flavors. Enjoy!
