Chef Kajiwara of Popular Tokyo Ikenoue Bakery "étéco bread" Unveils Limited-Time Menu Featuring California Prunes with Innovative Combinations

The California Prune Association is pleased to announce that new products using California prunes, "California Prune and Mugwort Bagel" and "California Prune Gateau Breton," will be sequentially released in two phases as limited-time offerings starting from May 2, 2026 (Saturday) at "étéco bread," a popular bakery in Ikenoue, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo. This time, Chef Yutaka Kajiwara, owner-chef of "étéco bread," which has gained support for its original and artistic bread making, developed two products that bring out the new appeal of California prunes with innovative combinations. He maximized the prune's moisture retention, which makes the dough moist, and its rich sweetness and sourness that add depth to the flavor, creating two items that demonstrate the high versatility of the ingredient by using different forms such as whole prunes and puree. Chef Kajiwara commented on California prunes, saying, "I felt that they pair well with dough, and their rich sweetness and juiciness are charming ingredients that further expand the expressive range of bread making." California prunes, produced in California, the world's largest producing region blessed with rich soil and abundant sunshine, are characterized by their natural sweetness without added sugar and their rich flavor. They also contain various vitamins, including dietary fiber, potassium, and vitamin K, and their balanced nutritional content is highly valued. Especially in recent years, the versatility of California prunes has been re-recognized, and there is strong interest in the added value and flavor benefits they bring to menus in the confectionery, baking, and food service industries. [Overview of Products Using California Prunes] California Prune and Mugwort Bagel Sales Period: May 2, 2026 (Saturday) - May 31, 2026 (Sunday) This is a carefully crafted bagel where the deep sourness derived from sourdough harmonizes with the refreshing aroma of mugwort. To make the California prune the star, whole prunes are generously wrapped inside, utilizing their natural sourness and sweetness. The surface is crispy and fragrant, while the inside has a moist texture thanks to the water retention of mugwort and prunes. With each bite, the sweet aroma of molasses and the rich fragrance of mugwort spread, and as you continue to eat, the flavor of prunes overflows, creating a satisfying finish down to the last bite. California Prune Gateau Breton Sales Period: June 3, 2026 (Wednesday) - June 28, 2026 (Sunday) This dish features a Gateau Breton dough with a rich rum aroma. Inside, whole California prunes and prune puree are luxuriously enclosed, creating a harmonious balance of rich sweetness and sourness that stands up to the substantial dough. The surface is crispy, and the inside is crumbly, while the sticky texture of the prunes adds another layer, allowing you to enjoy a luxurious taste with varying textures that come together harmoniously. *Sales periods for both products may change. [Chef Yutaka Kajiwara / Chef Natsuko Kajiwara] Owner-chef Yutaka Kajiwara, after extensively training in manufacturing, sales, product development, and marketing at a long-established bakery in Tokyo, opened "étéco bread" in Ikenoue, Setagaya-ku in 2019. The bread, which combines Chef Kajiwara's reliable techniques with the artistic sensibility of his wife Natsuko, who comes from a French restaurant background, boasts a level of perfection described as "a dish on its own." Attracting many fans with its meticulously calculated flavors and expressive power, the store has been known for continuous queues since its opening. Furthermore, the jewel-like beauty of its overflowing ingredients has become a big topic on social media, drawing keen attention not only domestically but also from overseas, making it a notable bakery. [Store Information] ■Location: 2-42-7 Daita, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo ■TEL: 03-6877-0433 ■Official Website: https://etecobread.com/ ■Instagram Official Account: https://www.instagram.com/eteco_bread/ About the California Prune Association The California Prune Association was established in 1980 under the authority of the California Department of Food and Agriculture as an organization representing growers and processors. In California, the world's largest producing region, premium prunes are cultivated in orchards spanning the Sacramento and San Joaquin Valleys. The association leads the market with the philosophy of "lifelong health through California prunes," adhering to strict standards of food safety and sustainability, and utilizing cultivation techniques and knowledge passed down through generations. California Prunes. Prunes. For life. ■California Prune Association Japan Official Website: h