A complete guide to traditional Japanese candy

In Japanese cuisine, delicious dishes such as sushi and ramen have a nervous grasp of the global spotlight. But the areas that are often overlooked are Vagasitraditional Japanese candy makes the eyes and taste buds enjoy.

These candies can be traced back thousands of years – through the development of Chinese cuisine, sado(The influence of tea utensils) and Western pastry cake technology. Wagashi is carefully crafted just enough to perfectly complement a cup of tea. Their artistic charm also adds a layer of curated aestheticism and Omotenashi (Human hospitality) always impresses people.

“Wagashi” means only “Japanese sweet”. This word is most commonly found in beauty Namagassi (“original” Japanese candy) served at tea ceremony, Wagashi is an all-inclusive category. Their various designs, consistency and preparation methods are also drawn from the seasons and regions of Japan. Here are some of the most popular traditional candies you should try.

Moqin

Perhaps the most modern globally recognized Japanese sweet taste Wooden hammer Turn into a sticky dough. There is even one legend That says rabbits are busy making motorcycles on the moon.

Mochi plays an important role in Japanese culture. It is said to have been brought from China during the Yayoi period (300 B.C.C.) and through religious rituals and popularization of the aristocratic period in the Heian era (794-1185), ready and enjoyed during weddings, New Year celebrations and other special occasions. Today, it has staple food not only at parties, but also at daily parties and on kitchen tables.

Mochi can be considered as its own category, appearing in various formats of salty and sweetness. As a dessert, the changes include daifuku (Mochi is stuffed with filling Anke or fruit), Sakuramochi (Pink rice cake wrapped in salted cherry leaves) and Kusamochi (Mochi kneaded with Mugwort leaves). For those who don’t like Anko (sweet bean paste), ice cream and egg-filled cream are modern twists.

Pelimchi

Despite the name Pelimchi Technically speaking, it is not a kind of motorcycle. Traditional Wobimochi instead of rice noodles is made from salty starch extracted from the roots of wild Wolabi plants. Since Bracken Starch is a difficult and rare ingredient, Warabimochi can also be made from sweet potatoes or tapioca flour.

Mix the flour, sugar and water, then cook, refrigerate and coat Kinako (Based soy flour) and Black magazine (Broken Sugar Syrup). The result is a food as delicate as jelly, chewy and addictive.

Taiji

With its cute fish-shaped mold and irresistible aroma, it attracted the attention of passers-by. Taiji It’s a pancake-like snack filled with Anko. You can also find varieties of chocolate or egg ust, as well as refreshing snacks during the summer.

Its name is directly converted to “Baked Sea O”, but rest assured that there is no seafood inside. This snack is based on this(The sea ox is a symbol of goodwill and prosperity.

Konpeito

You may recognize these colorful candies, as seen in Studio Ghibli Thousands and Thousands of Seektreasured by the ashes of Yubaba bathroom.

Konpeito It was the Portuguese merchants and missionaries who first introduced Japan’s small star candy candy in the mid-16th century. The name is derived from the Portuguese “Portuguese”, “confeito”. After attracting Warlord Oda Nobunaga, Konpeito became popular among samurai and noble families during the Sengoku era (1467-1600). When sugar is rare, Konpeito is considered a luxury that few people can afford. Today, Konpeito is easy to find and comes in a variety of colors and flavors. They are even official items in the Ministry of Defense emergency food rations and Japanese military food kits. Their beautiful crystal shapes also make them gifts and souvenirs.

Dorayaki

Another Wagashi with a pop culture reference, Dorayaki It’s my beloved dessert Doraemon And where he got his name from. Inspired by shapes Dora (Music Gong), Dorayaki is a cake pie with sandwich sweet bean paste.

Like Konpeito, Dorayaki is also a product of cross-cultural exchanges in Portugal in the 16th century. “Castella” in Portugal is a lightweight fluffy sponge cake shared by Nagasaki missionaries. You can enjoy a slice of Castella cake yourself, but when baked like a disc and combined with Anko, it becomes a more delicious Dorayaki.

dreamer

Dango is closely related to Mochi. Crashed Mochiko (Rice flour), then roll the dough into small bite-sized pieces, steam and serve on bamboo skewers. Variety includes Mitarashi Dango Which one Dip in sweet soy sauce glaze. Ank Dango There is a sweet bean paste topping and left There is chestnut mud, a favorite of autumn. Hanami Dango There are a bunch of green, white and pink dumplings that symbolize spring flowers. As the name suggests, these dangers are very popular Hanami (watch the flowers), even in Emoji keyboard.

Dango has become so common in Japanese culture that it has also become the preferred name for other spherical objects. Bread hairstyle is called Odango,,,,, Sailor Moon’s boyfriend Mamoru Chiba nicknamed her “odango” for her iconic bun head and twin tails.

Anmitsu

Anmitsu is a dessert bowl made of various components, usually composed of Anko, Kuromitsu, Fruits, Cubed edge (Agar jelly) and Shiratama (Dango Balls) Symphony for flavor.

Anmitsu was developed during the Meiji era (1868-1912) and initially only Kanten wore syrup. These bowls become more refined and paired with other toppings that blend different flavors and textures – together they create a beautiful arrangement. Modern versions may also add ice cream, wafers, matcha and maras cherries.

Monaca

Crispy shells and soft fillings, Monaca It is an elegant Anko bonded rice flour. Candies date back to the Edo period (1603-1867), when they started with simple discs made of steamed rice flour and water, and then sprinkled with sugar. It was during the Meiji recovery that Monaka gained a new look, similar to the complex designs we use today from patterns to chrysanthemums.

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