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List of Japanese desserts and sweets facts for kids

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In Japan, desserts were being made for centuries well before sugar was made widely available. Many desserts commonly available in Japan can be traced back for hundreds of years. In Japanese cuisine, traditional sweets are known as wagashi, and are made using ingredients such as red bean paste and mochi. Though many desserts and sweets date back to the Edo period (1603–1867) and Meiji period (1868–1911), many modern-day sweets and desserts originating from Japan also exist.

However, the definition of wagashi is ambiguous, and the line between wagashi and other types of Japanese confectionery is vague. For example, although the original kasutera (castella) was introduced from Portugal, it has been around for more than 400 years and has been modified to suit Japanese tastes, so it is classified as a wagashi. The raindrop cake, created in 2014, was developed by a wagashi shop as a derivative of shingen mochi and is recognized as a wagashi in Japan. In recent years, wagashi shop have developed and marketed many confections that are an eclectic mix of wagashi and Western confections, often referred to as "neo-wagashi".

Japanese desserts

Wagashi

Peanut Amanatto
Peanut amanattō. Amanattō is a traditional Japanese confectionery that is made of azuki or other beans, covered with refined sugar after simmering with sugar syrup and drying.
Gozasoro
Imagawayaki (gozasōrō) being prepared in a store in Sannomiya, Kobe, Japan

Wagashi (和菓子) is a traditional Japanese confectionery which is often served with tea, especially the types made of mochi, anko (azuki bean paste), and fruits. Wagashi is typically made from plant ingredients. Wagashi are made in a wide variety of shapes and consistencies and with diverse ingredients and preparation methods. Wagashi are popular throughout Japan and each region has its own specialties, but many products are regional or seasonal.

Types of wagashi

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Japanese sweets and desserts

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List of Japanese desserts and sweets Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.