Originating in China and made in Japan from the 7th century as toys and eventually as decorative items, 手毬 temari are colorful embroidered balls made from kimono fabric and various kinds of thread. They're given to children at New Year's time and are typically found in Japanese homes.

Siroporu しろぽる / © PIXTA

In recent years, however, you can find "temari" in various other places. For example, small ball-shaped sushi known as temari zushi are a popular variation. We've also seen temari-inspired chocolate balls for Valentine's Day and you'll find colorful temari-inspired glass vases and reed diffusers at grape Shop.

Last weekend, another kind of temari went viral, eliciting comments such as:

  • "It's so beautiful, I want to hang it up!"
  • "The artist is a genius! It's just like traditional craftwork."
  • "It's amazing! How on earth did she make that?"

If you haven't already suspected it, the object of everyone's surprise is not actually an embroidered temari. In fact, it's a cake!

The works posted on Twitter by culinary creator ぷん Pum (@Pum_Jeunesverts) was met with such praise and surprise.

Pum's hobby is making sweets. Her temari cakes, which she decorated with edible flowers, look so good that they're truly a feast for the eyes.

It's hard to believe they're sweets. Just look at how elegant and beautiful they are!

Reproduced with permission from ぷん Pum (@Pum_Jeunesverts)

The temari cakes are made by combining 10 different crepes. Even the decorative elements are made out of chocolate and sugar, so they're edible!

Inside is a moist and delicious cheesecake, with a ganache of chocolate ganache and fresh cream sandwiched between sponge cake biscuits. It also has whole strawberries and Shine Muscat grapes in it. They're surely just as delicious as they are beautiful to behold.

Reproduced with permission from ぷん Pum (@Pum_Jeunesverts)

The quality is so high that some people commented, "I'm surprised to learn that you don't sell these commercially!" and "They're truly edible works of art."

If you'd like to see more of Pun's amazing culinary creations, follow on Twitter and Instagram.


By - grape Japan editorial staff.