9 Ways To Eat Kinako
posted by John Spacey, June 21, 2015What did the Japanese do before sugar?Sugar didn't arrive in Japan until the 16th century and wasn't widely available until the late 19th century. Before sugar, there was kinako.Kinako is roasted soybean flour that has a sweet taste and powdery texture. It's a common ingredient and topping for Japanese desserts.Kinako isn't as sweet as refined sugar. As a result many kinako desserts have a pleasantly mild sweetness. Common kinako desserts include:
1. Kinako Ice Cream
Kinako is more than sweet. It also has a unique flavor that's easy to identify. Everyone in Japan knows the taste of kinako. It's like maple syrup, it's a taste that stands out with personality.Kinako powder is a good topping for vanilla ice cream.
2. Kinako Candy
Kinako is a common flavor for Japanese candy and chocolate.
3. Mochi
Mochi are a Japanese rice cake made by pounding a sticky type of Japanese rice known as mochiko with a mallet.Mochi are made at home or purchased in blocks from supermarkets. It's popular to toast mochi and serve with kinako on top.
4. Botamochi
Botamochi are a lumpy ball of sweet rice and anko. They are occationally rolled in kinako to make them look smooth and appealing.
5. Dango
Dango are mochi-like dumplings that often come served on a stick. Kinako is a common dango topping.
6. Daifuku
Daifuku are pockets of mochi with a sweet filling inside.The mochi on the outside is quite sticky. Daifuku are often dusted with corn starch or confectioners sugar to make them easier to eat. In other cases, they are dusted with kinako powder for flavor.
7. Kuzumochi
A jelly made from the starch of Japanese Arrowroot, a flowering plant that's considered a weed in many countries. Kuzumochi has a light texture and little taste. Another dessert that's almost always served with kinako on top.
8. Shaved Ice
Kinako is an old fashioned topping for shaved ice. This dessert peaked in popularity around 100 years ago but can still be found at old cafes.
9. Warabimochi
Warabimochi is a jelly made from ferns (bracken starch). It has only a slight taste on its own. Warabimochi is typically served buried in a mountain of kinako.
Kinako is ranked | #4 of 9 Japanese Flavors For Western Desserts #8 of 10 Kinds of Daifuku #14 of 16 Signs Japan is Obsessed With Soybeans #22 of 34 Ingredients for Japanese Food |
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