Wagashi (Wa-Sweets)

We have heard that Japanese sweets are very popular among people from overseas. It is often said that not only those sold in specialty stores, but also those sold in supermarkets and convenience stores are very well made in terms of both texture and taste. Recently, there are more and more products that can be purchased from overseas via the web, and they are being loved. The origin of such Japanese sweets is “Wagashi(Wa-Sweets)”. Many of the products seem simple to make, but in reality, the manufacturing process is very delicate. One of the characteristics of “wagashi” is that many of them are low in calories compared to foreign sweets. Here, we would like to explain various aspects of such “wagashi”!!

Anko (An-paste)

When explaining about “wagashi”, we absolutely cannot forget to describe “anko (an-paste)”. (※It is also called “An” in Japanese) The most common type of “anko”…

Yokan

There are many kinds of Wa-sweets that are very delicate and beautiful in appearance. Since they are sweets, it is only to be expected that the taste and flavor of…

Manjyu

“Manjyu is a dough made by kneading flour or other ingredients, wrapping An-paste in them, and then steaming, boiling, or baking them. This cooking method is also…

Neri-Sweets

“Neri-Sweets” are sweets made from a clay-like paste of rice or other grain flour, soybean flour, sugar, bean paste, tea, and other ingredients. The word “Neri”…

Monaka

It is one of the Wa-sweets made by heating mochi flour dissolved in water, kneading, putting in a mold, pressing thinly and baking, and putting An-paste in it…

Mochi-Sweets

As mentioned in the article “O-Mochi (Rice Cake)”, mochi has been eaten in Japan for quite some time, as the country has had a rice-based culture since ancient…

Kaki-gohri(Shaved Ice)

What are the most favorite foods sold at “Yatai (food stalls)” at “Ennichi” and summer festivals in Japan? Most Japanese people probably think of “takoyaki”,…

O-Zenzai / O-Shiruko

“O-Zenzai” and “O-Shiruko” are both commonly known as Wa-sweets made of warm red bean paste (mainly azuki bean paste) soup with rice cakes, shiratama dumplings,…

Mitsumame / Anmitsu

“Mitsumame” is one of Japanese sweet dishes made of boiled red pea beans, kanten agar, gyuhi, and shiratama dumplings, served in a bowl with kuromitsu, molasses,…