Konpeitou” looks like a star and is very cute. Although it resembles candy, it is not hard like a candy, and you can enjoy the crunchy texture that crumbles when you put it in your mouth. Colourful grains such as white, pink, yellow, and yellowish green and flavoured with spices. Etymology Making a konpeito requires great skill. Even though they utilised sugar as an ingredient, the process of making the konpeitou’s core is already challenging. Even more challenging, and taking two weeks to complete, is the technique of growing konpeitou crystals by expert craftsmen. When you hold the konpeitou in your hands, you could experience a sense of gratitude towards the artisans considering the difficult effort required.

Konpeito - Recipe How to Make Konpeito - Recipe

Konpeito used to take months to make because of the outdated techniques of using coal for heating and the laborious nature of the entire procedure. However, the Japanese star candy now takes around 7 to 14 days to complete, thanks to technological advances. This konpeito is a sweet that the imperial family loved as a gift for auspicious occasions such as weddings. They also distribute this to the attendees at imperial coronation ceremonies and weddings.The container used to distribute konpeitou as a gift called a bonbonniere and in Europe, they put the sugar confectionery in the bonbonnière and sent during celebrations. At the end of the meal, Japanese serve bite-sized sweets called petit fours, and that the custom of gift-giving, which was originally in Japan, combined with giving out konpeitou in bonbonnières. Flavours of Konpeito Like all foods, Konpeito does expire. However, most of the time no candy will become unsafe to eat without you realizing it. Major changes will happen to the taste and texture of Konpeito when it is truly inedible. There are also limited edition versions, which are made to be enjoyed in certain seasons. The peach konpeito is made especially for summer, chestnut flavored, popular in fall, and sakura konpeito for springtime. According to Nakata Tomoichi, researcher of the mathematical aspects of Konpeito and 'Konpeito Fan Club' founder, there are specific characteristics to look for in a Konpeito to distinguish the most high-quality ones.

https://www.asahi.com/articles/ASK8855PFK88UTIL02B.html. {{ cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= ( help) Candy can be delicious and fun, but even among one type of Japanese candy like konpeito there are several variations and due to the fact that the most sought-after candy is season limited, it can be very hard to get outside of the country. Securing your candy can be made a lot easier by buying candy from subscription boxes that specialize in seasonal goodies, savory eats, kawaii munchies, and traditional treats. Because konpeito is so versatile, it will be easy to find a version of it, no matter what flavors you're interested in. While they started with just a handful of flavors, they now have a staggering 50 flavors to choose from. Whether you like coconut or cherry, there’s something for everyone. They even offer seasonal varieties too. Konpeito became very popular in the Edo period, when it was introduced to the common people. Konpeito was often given as a gift, and was also used as a currency. In fact, konpeito was so popular that it was even mentioned in haiku poetry! Now, the colored Konpeitos are prepared in a sizable inclined rotating pot known as a "dora," and the colorful star bits are formed by gradually adding drops of syrup.

Konpeito, a Candy Rooted in Japanese Culture - Japan Crate Konpeito, a Candy Rooted in Japanese Culture - Japan Crate

This is quite a lengthy process and can take up to two weeks! While the core is ladled with syrup, the candies slowly rotate inside a large heated tub called a “dora”. The end product is unique and forms tiny bubble-like shapes on the surface, giving the candies their star-shaped appearance. Despite their various colors, the majority of Konpeito are just plain sugar. Having said that, modern Konpeito are also manufactured with distinctive flavors. These hand-crafted, artisan Konpeito are available in a variety of flavors, including Yuzu, Matcha, Strawberry, Plum, Orange, Banana, Plain Soda, Peach, Pineapple, Vanilla, etc. Konpeito is made by a variety of specialized Wagashi makers since it is regarded as a form of traditional Japanese sweet confection known as "wagashi."

The sugar crystals are crunchy and have a simple sugar flavor, making them enjoyable for people of all ages to eat. Konpeito is a small ball-shaped Japanese confectionery made from sugar and seasoned water. Some families display them together with Hinamatsuri dolls at the Doll’s Festival, and at royal weddings, locals gave them out in a bowl called a bonbonniere as a gift. It was transported from Portugal to Kyushu and western Japan as Nanban sweets, together with castella and ariheito. Konpeito has now been around for hundreds of years and we most commonly associate these star-shaped candies with Japan. However, they originally came from Portugal! There was a man named Luis Frois who bought these delicious treats over to Japan and the Japanese delicacy grew from there.