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◇Traditional Taste Handed Down by Tradition From Matsuyama Fief

Ehime is also well-known for its many confectionery products. The 'taruto', which originated in the Matsuyama's castle town, is the most famous of the local sweets. The method of making 'taruto' is said to have been brought from Nagasaki, a port frequented by Portuguese ships in the mid-17th century, by Sadayuki Matsudaira, lord of the Matsuyama fief. It was changed to suit the taste of the Japanese, adding sweet bean paste to the original sponge cake. Other famous products of Ehime include, the 'Botchan Dango' (three-colored dumplings) named after Soseki Natsume's novel Botchan, and other various sweets using yuzu citron, a special produce of Shikoku Island, which brings out Ehime's characteristics local color with the product.