[Fukushima Prefecture] A must-see for lost souvenirs! 3 Japanese sweets that will make you say, ``You're a connoisseur'' when you buy them

What do you pay attention to when buying sweets for gifts or souvenirs?

I'm sure there are a lot of things that will appeal to everyone...standard items that everyone knows...but sometimes I would like to try something a little more adventurous that people will say, "I didn't know about it!" or "I've never tried it before!" right.

selected Japanese sweets that people outside of Fukushima Prefecture may say, "I've never heard of them before!" or "I've never tried them before," but who are connoisseurs and can confidently say they're delicious . Please enjoy your encounter with new sweets.

``Musha Senbei'' is a collaboration between thick baked dough and peanuts that leaves people wanting.

The first product we would like to introduce "Aizu Musha Senbei" sold by Onogi Foods Co., Ltd. in Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture . If you look closely, you can see that it resembles the shape of the brim of a sword. At first glance, it looks similar to Iwate Prefecture's famous confectionery, Nanbu Senbei, but there are major differences in taste and texture.

Musha Senbei is characterized by its slightly sweet, thick cookie dough. However, it's not as crispy as a cookie. It is tightly pressed and has a good hardness, and when you bite into it, it will loosely loosen in your mouth. Thanks to the peanuts mixed in, the flavor and texture are greatly improved. This rice cracker is filling and will definitely satisfy you with just one piece.

Musha Senbei is currently sold by Onogi Foods, but it was actually previously produced and sold by a different company. The previous company went bankrupt due to the recession, and Musha Senbei disappeared from store shelves for a while. However, there were many voices calling for its revival, and the story goes that Onogi Foods raised its hand and succeeded in making a comeback. From this background, you can tell that this is a sweet that will continue to have a strong fan base for a long time.

We also recommend this as a souvenir for those who don't like red bean paste or sweets. I think it's a dish worth trying, so please give it a try.

Information

• Company name Onogi Foods Co., Ltd.
• Address: 178-4 Fujimuro, Machikitamachi, Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture
• Inquiry number 0242-22-1387
• URL https://www.onogi.net/

``Imokuri Sataro'' is elegantly sweet and soft and smooth.

The next product we would like to introduce "Imokuri Sataro" sold by Daioh Co. . In fact, it is a masterpiece that won the highest honorary president's award at the 26th National Confectionery Exhibition . It is delicious enough to be praised, and there is no shortage of hidden fans.

Imokuri Sataro can be summed up in one word: Japanese-style sweet potato. It uses plenty of sweet potatoes and chestnuts, and is mixed with white bean paste. It has a milky taste that brings out the flavor of the ingredients, and the sweetness is also elegant. You might think the texture is sticky, but it's actually fluffy. It has a moist and smooth texture that melts in your mouth as you taste it. The roughly crushed chestnut grains serve as an accent, and you won't get bored until the end.

By the way, the name of the sweet, "Imokuri Sataro," seems to be based on a folktale that remains in Fukushima City.

``Once upon a time, a mountain god wanted Sataro's only daughter as his wife, but when Sataro prepared him with lots of potatoes and chestnuts, his favorite food, the mountain god gave up his daughter safely.'' Become.

It is a luxurious sweet that is irresistible to sweet potato and chestnut lovers. If you can think of someone's face and think, ``Now that I think about it, I think I like that person...'', please choose this one.

Information

• Company name Daioh Co., Ltd.
• Location: 4 Shimono-dera Yakushido Go, Fukushima City, Fukushima Prefecture
• Inquiry number: 024-535-3311
• URL https://www.imokurisatarou.com/

“Tama Yokan” is an irresistibly fun moment when it pops.

The last product we would like to introduce "Tamayokan" manufactured and sold by Tamashimaya . Nihonmatsu City has a history of developing as a castle town of the Nihonmatsu clan during the Edo period. As a result, many historic temples and shrines and Japanese sweets shops remain, and Tamashimaya is one of them.

Tamashimaya's Tamyokan is known only to those in the know. The most distinctive feature is its unique appearance. With its brilliant luster and plump, unfamiliar shape, you may be wondering how to actually eat it. In fact, you can use a toothpick to open it.

When you poke the surface, the rubber membrane disappears in an instant, revealing the plump yokan. Because it is so instantaneous, you may not be able to see the moment the surface peels off.

The yokan inside is filled with rich red bean paste and has a moist texture. However, it is not heavy and has a light sweetness that melts in your mouth. It's filling, so you'll be satisfied with just one, but the "opening ceremony" of squeezing it with a toothpick is so much fun that you'll want to pick up another one.

Why not enjoy some bitter tea with tamayokan when talking about your memories of your trip to Fukushima? The jade yokan, which can be peeled off with a simple stick, is also a great conversation starter, and may even make the conversation more lively than usual.

Information

• Company name Tamashimaya Co., Ltd.
• Address: 1-88 Honmachi, Nihonmatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture
• Inquiry number: 0243-23-2121
• URL https://tamasimaya.com/

Enjoy Fukushima's delicious sweets

This time, with the theme of Japanese sweets that people would say are connoisseurs, we have selected and introduced three recommended sweets.

Familiar flavors are great, but finding a new favorite is even more rewarding. Please share the sweets we introduced with the people around you, or keep them all to yourself, and enjoy them to the fullest. We hope that everyone will like the taste of Fukushima.