Setoda Navel Orange Cake, Shimagokoro

Setoda in Hiroshima ranks first in Japan not only for lemons but also for navel oranges.

“Setoda Navel Cake Shimagokoro,” made by Shimagokoro Co., Ltd. in Onomichi City, Hiroshima Prefecture, is a pound cake made with navel oranges grown in the local.

Setoda Town is famous as Japan’s leading lemon-producing region, and it also ranks first in Japan for navel orange production, making it an area with an impressive output of citrus fruits.

Shimagokoro makes a variety of processed foods, such as jams and jellies made with domestically grown lemons and navel oranges, and it seems this navel orange cake is just as popular as their lemon cake.

It looks a bit like a lemon cake, but when cut it in half, the aroma of navel oranges fills the air.

This is  made with plenty of jam made from whole navel oranges—including both the peel and the flesh—and the batter is generously mixed with orange peel. With a perfect balance of juicy sweetness and a hint of tartness, this moist pound cake truly showcased its high quality.