“Sakura” Cherry Blossoms

“Mochi” Pounded rice cake

 

Have you tried Japanese confectionary (Wagashi)? 

Wagashi are a very delicate, colorful and beautiful Japanese traditional confectionery and usually are served when you attend Japanese Tea ceremonies or visit somebody’s home.   

 

I would like to introduce a variety of wagashi “Sakuramochi”, as one of this season’s typical confectioneries.

“Sakuramochi” is pounded rice (mochi) filled with red bean paste and with covering a pickled leaf of a sakura tree. There are two kinds of Sakuramochi in Japan; Chomyoji (Kanto region) and Domyoji (Kansai region). 

 

Chomyoji; Kanto Region

 

 

/ Eastern Japan use Shiratama-ko (rice flour)

 

 

 

 

Domyoji; Kansai Region

 

/ Western Japan use Domyoji-ko (glutinous rice flour)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fresh leaves of Oshimazakura are picked between May to August and pickled in salt for half a year. Previously, each type of Sakuramochi used to be available only in its region, but you can find both types in the Kanto region these days. One Japanese event, “Girls’ Day”, (March 3^rd) is coming soon. Why don’t you try both “Chomyoji” and “Domyoji” as seasonal sweets and discover your favorite?