Wagashi: A Japanese Sweet Dessert

Koi swimming in pond, lotus at sunrise and autumn leaves in sunlight. All sound like peaceful images that the mind conjures. But no, they are wagashi, a Japanese dessert that invites you to use all five of your senses. These sweet desserts are served best with green tea to help cut the sweetness of these bite size morsels. "Wa" means Japanese and "gashi" means confection, thus the literal translation of wagashi is "Japanese confection."

According to Kitchoan, wagashi is not only a sweet dessert, it is also good for the body in that they are rich in vegetable protein and low in animal fat which is good for one's cholesterol. They are also high in fiber with is good for one's digestive system. Wagashi is also high in vitamins E, B1 and B2 as well as amino acids.

Bus how does this dessert invoke all five senses? The company Toraya (www.toraya.com) offers the answer in that:

1. Appearance: the morsel is a feast for the eyes. The desserts are often inspired by nature or literature.

2. Taste: mostly make of beans and grains, it allows each flavor and ingredient to be savored individually and together.

3. Texture: each dessert can be soft, moist or even crisp adding the invocation of the touch sense.

4. Scent: Delicate without overwhelming the flavor, oftentimes complimenting the flavor.

5. Sound: The name of the dessert when spoken invokes images that entrance the mind before consumption.

Wagashi is made with three basic ingredients, but from these three humble items, the possibilities are endless. The three ingredients are: (1) Azuki Beans - either red or white. They are boiled and cooked into a paste which is the bases for molded shapes done either by hand or form; (2) Kanten - a fiber rich gelatin that is made from seaweed and is used for jellied sweets [much like jello but firmer in texture and taste]; and (3) Wasambonto - This is the oldest known form of domestic sugar. Its consistency is much different from other sugars in that it is powdery with a smooth texture while holding an elegant taste and slight fragrance.

With three simple ingredients a multitude of designs and shapes inspired by nature can be made. Each dessert falls into one of four categories which include: (a) Namagashi: these are freshly made and are often based on the seasons; (b) Yokan: these are thick jellies much like firm jello and hold well when given for gifts; (c) Monaka: these are sandwiched desserts where azuki paste is often sandwiched between sticky rice wafers that have be pressed into floral shapes; and (d) Manju: a steamed sweet that is in bun form and sweet paste within.

These are but the basics to this amazing dessert, but it will do a person good to search for such desserts and experience for one's self and allow all of the senses to appreciate the simplistic yet highly detailed dessert known as wagashi.