Collaboration between confectioneries and famous sightseeing spots
Kyushu has one of the best hot spring spots in Japan such as Yufuin (湯布院) and Beppu Onsen (Oita prefecture) and famous sightseeing spots such as Aso (Kumamoto Prefecture) and Kirishima (霧島) ( at Kagoshima Prefecture). Besides local gourmet such as pork bone ramen and Motsunabe (モツ鍋), there are unique local confectionery in each prefecture such as castella and Ikinari Dango. We will introduce you 3 selected local confectioneries which you will definitely want to check out when you visit to Kyushu!
Origin from Portugal! “Castella” which uses eggs/ Nagasaki Prefecture
Castella is said to be a confectionery adopted from Portugal、Spain、etc. during the Muromachi period and since Japanized in the 17th century. After whipping eggs, mix flour and sugar and bake it. There are also various preparations such as steamed Castella, Castellan Bun and Roll Castella. There are 10 slices in 1 piece, and the price is usually about 1,000Yen.
“Umegae Mochi (梅ヶ枝餅)” baked bun with Plum flower imprinted on top / Fukuoka prefecture
It is a famous confectionery in Dazaifu Fukuoka prefecture, named after the "plum" of Sugawara no Michizane, a worshipped deity of Dazaifu Tenman-gu Shrine. Red bean paste is wrapped in a thin skin made from glutinous rice flour,put a plum stamp on it and bake on an iron plate. It is originated from Sugawara no Michizane’s anecdote. “Plum” is engraved on it but actually it does not taste plum. You can buy it at souvenier shops along the street to Dazaifu Tenman-gu Shrine, one piece is around 150yen.
“Ikinari Dango”, sweet potatoes and red bean paste wrapped dumpling / Kumamoto prefecture
Sweet potatoes and red bean paste are wrapped in thick material made from rice cake and flour and been steamed it. It is a familiar confectionery which is also commonly made at home. “Ikinari” means suddenly in English. "Ikinari(Suddenly), even if there are guests, you can offer this ", that is said to be the origin of its name. Recently, it is seen in Kanto area, and is sold at around 150yen per piece.
“Karukan” made from special yam/ Kagoshima prefecture
It is said to have been originated from Satsuma clan (Kagoshima prefecture) in the early Edo period, Karukan (軽羹/かるかん) is a steamed confectionery using yam. Besides Japanese confectionery store in Kagoshima prefecture, it is also made in common households. Peel the yam skin and grate it, add water, sugar and mix it, then add karukan powder (a kind of rice flour) and finally steam it. Its appearance is like an elastic white sponge. There is also Karukan Manju which wrapped with red bean paste.
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