Remember back in 2018, when the raw honeycomb trend had emerged, and it had all of us craving honeycombs at ungodly hours? Even if we could all easily buy raw honey in jars, all we wanted was the honeycombs!
I have something along those lines to offer you, but so much better! I offer you a union, a union of two worlds – raw honey and cheesecake. And that too, a basque burnt cheesecake!
Tina, Founder of Ying Collection, shared with us that they used raw honey to replace sugar in this unique Basque Burnt Cheesecake with raw Greek honey. In fact, the raw Greek ingredients used in the cake are from Tina’s own store, Greek Kouzina! Uniting her two passions, she presents to us what could be a potential game-changer to the universe of cheesecakes.
I had the opportunity to try this cheesecake, and I would love to share my thoughts on it with you!
Firstly, the cake itself had an unmistakable charm. You see it, and you instantly think you know what you’re in for – an ordinary basque burnt cheesecake. But little do you know; a sweet surprise is awaiting you! The strawberry garnish at the top added a pop of colour to the cake’s appearance that surely livens up your expectations.
Then comes the first bite. I have to confess, as soon as I excitedly shoved the fork into my mouth, I was a little taken aback by the taste of the honey. It came more as a punch than as a soothing accompaniment. Raw honey itself has a very distinct flavour and a strong presence. Hence, it felt like it sort of overpowered my taste buds and diminished the taste of the cheesecake itself.
But, as I share confessions, I should also confess that I haven’t got the sweetest sweet tooth. I feel that bubble tea’s sugar percentage is a fair and convenient mode of reference, and I have my bubble tea at 50% sugar. Hence, the honey from the cheesecake was a little too sweet for my palette, but for all you sweet tooths out there, this guilty pleasure is yours to enjoy!
Back to the cake, it was very creamy, which is possibly what led the cake to be rather heavy as a mere slice was enough to fill my stomach (which obviously gives us a reason to control our second-serving-temptations, no matter how tough it may be!). The top layer of the cake has a very welcoming, hard exterior that adds a dimension of texture to the otherwise creamy, soft bite. Ying Collection personally recommends that you either store the cake in the refrigerator or leave it out at room temperature, depending on how you’d prefer to consume its stiffer or creamier consistency.
This cake is perfect for sharing among five people at your next party or picnic! And the Instagram photos you’re going to get with the cake? Out of the world! The jealousy it would invoke? Your DM’s will be full!
If you’re sharing the cake, be sure to call dibs on the strawberry! It’s incredibly juicy and serves as a great palette cleanser to end off your lovely dessert, which sort of made me wish for more strawberries on the cake. Nonetheless, it was lovely.
Ying Collection’s cakes are healthy and have low GI. Honey does have a lower GI than sugar, which means that it does not raise blood sugar levels as quickly. And since honey is also sweeter than sugar, less of it is required in desserts, bringing the GI level of the cake lower.
In fact, according to Healthline, raw honey is explicitly known to have several health benefits. Just to name some, it is a rich source of antioxidants, which protect your body from cell damage. There is a reason why when you are sick; our elders tell us to drink some tea with raw honey. That’s because honey has antibacterial properties that kill unwanted bacteria and fungus. Raw honey also aids in digestive issues and soothes sore throats.
Ying Collection hopes to show how beneficial raw honey is through their cakes and sugar replacement with raw honey. You can now satisfy all your raw honey cravings, thanks to Greek Kouzina! Do check them out for more information!
Tina shared that Ying Collection’s menu right now only consists of the Basque Burnt Cheesecake and the Olive Oil cake (both with raw honey, and staple ingredients from Greek Kouzina). But they are currently experimenting with further uses of the Greek honey and expanding their menu, but Tina admitted it’s not the easiest of tasks. So let’s show Ying Collection all the support for this feat of their Basque Burnt Cheesecake!
To make your orders, you can contact Tina herself on her mobile number (90627812). She will gladly assist you and guide you through any queries you may have about their cake and their small business! You can also check out Tina’s Instagram page for more insight!
So honey, wouldn’t you love a sugarless basque burnt cheesecake with raw Greek honey?
Photos by Darren Chiong of the DANAMIC Team.
