Wagashi Pix

Cool kudzu wagashi is standard Japanese confection for summer season.

The tricolore fillings are made from red bean paste and bean paste flavored with apricot and citrus puree.
These are coated with translucent kudzu and bracken dough which is sticky like mochi.

In eastern Japan, this summer is hotter than usual due to the conservation of electricity.
Cold treats are going to help us keep off the summer heat!

Ingredients:Sugar, kidney beans, red beans, malt sugar, apricot puree, Konatsu citrus puree, starch, starch syrup, Konatsu citrus juice, bracken flour, kudzu flour, liqueur, agar-agar

Shop’s website:
Ginza Kanra’s homepage (Japanese)
Ginza Kanra’s homepage (English translated by Google)

This lovely spring confection is called “Yakishigure” that I got for a souvenir in Yokohama.
The ingredients are very simple and it tastes softly sweet.

Ingredients:Sugar, red bean,…etc.
I hardly keep its ingredients in my mind since I had this several months ago…

Shop’s website:
Koroan’s homepage (Japanese)

That’s all about it!

Ingredients:
Sweet potato, sugar, ager

Shop’s website:
Kinokuniya’s homepage (Japanese)
Kinokuniya’s homepage (English translated by Google)

December 22nd is the day of the winter soltice.

In Japan, bathing with yuzu (Japanese citron) on the winter soltice is a popular custom.
The whole fruits are floated in the hot water of the bath, releasing their characteristically strong aroma.
The ‘yuzuyu,’ or yuzu bath, is believed to guard against colds, warm the body, and relax the mind.
We also eat pumpkin on the same day for the same reasons.

This wagashi is made by using a whole yuzu, preserved in syrup.
It’s hollowed out and the skin is filled with sweet red bean paste.

Yuzu is rareley served as food on the day, but I posted this for my yuzzy feeling

Ingredients:
Yuzu, syrup, red bean, kudzu starch, ager, salt

Shop’s website:
Saiundo’s homepage (Japanese)
Saiundo’s homepage (English translated by Google)

This is special wagashi only offered during autumn season.
It looks just like a chestnut (very cute, isn’t it?) and a little chestnut is actually filled inside!
Outside is coated with kudzu starch to make red bean paste glossy.

Ingredients:
Sugar, red bean paste, chestnut, kudzu starch, etc

Shop’s website:
Sentaro’s homepage (Japanese)
Sentaro’s homepage (English translated by Google)