Have you heard of "Imo-taste," a traditional party item from Tsugaru? [Aomori Prefecture]

People from other prefectures may be confused, but the party snack "Imo-taste" is known by the majority of people from Tsugaru. We've looked into what kind of snack it is!

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What kind of candy is "Imo Ate"?

"Potato Guessing,"Although the title says"Potato Lottery."call it"Great King Lottery."seems to be a similar game called

This candy was popular in the Tsugaru region of Aomori Prefecture, centered around Hirosaki City, around the 1950s, and then began to spread to Aomori City around the 1960s

similar confection"An-dama,"already had a"Daio-kuji"didn't catch on, and a division of: "Hirosaki has Daio, Aomori has An-dama, and both cities havesweet potato confections." It's quite a complex story.

Tsugaru-style lottery candy, and is not only found in candy stores, but is also a staple party treat that is bought in bulk for relatives' children to enjoy when people gather, such as during Obon or New Year's.

In the past, there seemed to be many more manufacturers and a wider variety of products, but recently that number has decreased, andSato Confectionery in Hirosaki Cityseems to be the standard.

Although it says "potato," it's actually a "potato-flavored bean paste donut"! However, the ingredients list also lists "starch processed product," so maybe it does contain potato elements..

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Let's open it right away

When you open it, you'll find a lottery ticket and a sweet potato-shaped donut filled with bean paste

The lottery ticket"Treasure has no feet, and it will not come on its own."It seems to be saying, "You won't win if you just wait! Draw a ticket!"

There are regular and petite sizes, and this is the petite size. It contains three large bean paste donuts and eight small donuts

ticket,"parent"you win! You'll receive a large bean paste donut.a "child"ticket, you'll receive a small bean paste donut.

It would be so much fun to do this with a bunch of kids!

Sato Seika's website also sells a different version of Imo Kuji, with apple-flavored bean paste, and other nostalgic sweets for mail order

Even if you have grown up and left Tsugaru, it might be a good idea to relive your childhood by playing "Guess the Potato"!

Sato Confectionery <Information>

• Name: Sato Seika
• Address: 68 Miyazaki, Tsugano, Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture, 038-3874
• Phone number: 0172-34-3356
• Official URL:https://tsugaru-atemono.jp/
• Official online shop:https://satouseika.base.shop/

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