sweets

What is the true identity of the mysterious traditional sweet "Yubesi"? We also introduce recommended souvenirs [Fukushima Prefecture]

When you go to the station buildings and the product corner in Fukushima Prefecture, you'll find a wide selection of delicious sweets. Yubeshi , which is one of the most popular local sweets .

This sweet is addictive with its chewy texture and simple sweetness.

However, did you know that sweets, also known as yubeshi, are available all over the country and come into various forms? We will talk about Yubeshi's love, including introducing Yubeshi's true identity and recommended Yubeshi, so please stay with us until the end.

What is "Yubesi" in the first place?

Many of you may have noticed that "Yubesi" is not a sweet made exclusively in Fukushima Prefecture. Confectionery called yubeshi is widely available throughout Tohoku and across the country.

However, the yubeshi in various places are similar but not particularly strong. Yubeshi, made in Ishikawa and Okayama prefectures, is made from yuzu, which has been hollowed out of the contents, stuffed with rice cake dough. Yubeshi, made in Kyoto and Niigata prefectures, is a soft mochi sweet made with plenty of yuzu kneaded. In each prefecture in Tohoku, it is made by kneading sesame seeds and walnuts. There's a wide variety of things to the point of confusion about calling them by the same name.

is written as yuzu mochiko in kanji In other words, it refers to rice cakes made with yuzu, and its roots are preserved foods from the Muromachi period. As this spread throughout the country, it has probably changed to ingredients that are easy to get in various places and production methods that are suitable for the climate.

In Tohoku, when yuzu was only grown in a limited area, it is thought that yubeshi, which used walnuts and sesame seeds instead of yuzu, became popular. However, Tohoku originally had a culture of actively eating rice cakes. It may be that it was the mix of the original rice cakes that were originally found in various places and the yubeshi production methods that have spread from the south and west that original yubeshi with deep regional colors were born all over the Tohoku region.

For example, Yubeshi, which is made during weddings and funerals in the Tazawa area of ​​Senboku City, Akita Prefecture, looks like a roll cake, and when cut, you can see a beautiful pattern created by wrapping two types of dough in a swirl shape. Yubeshi in the Kesen region of Iwate Prefecture is characterized by its generous amounts of condiments such as nikki, and looks like a kamabo.

Kurumi Yubeshi with walnuts is popular. This is a masterpiece that allows you to enjoy the chewy dough and the rough texture of the walnuts. There are also confectionery shops that produce variations such as sesame seeds and bean paste. Old-fashioned products are still on display in stores even in modern times. This shows that there is a timeless, beloved deliciousness. When I see Yubeshi, I feel relieved and nostalgic, perhaps because our DNA has a chewy love built into our DNA.

How to make Yubeshi

Yubeshi can also be made at home. It's easy to use a microwave instead of a steamer. Below is a simple recipe for Kurumi Yubeshi.

<Materials>

  • Walnut: 50g
  • Shiratama flour: 100g
  • Brown sugar: 60g
  • Soy sauce: 2 tsp
  • Lukewarm water: 150cc
  • Potato Starch: Appropriate amount

<How to make it>

  1. Chop the walnuts roughly with a knife, turn the frying pan to low to medium heat, and dry roast.
  2. Put the shiratama flour and brown sugar in a bowl, add a small amount of lukewarm water, and mix thoroughly with each addition. Finally, add soy sauce and mix thoroughly to cover the whole thing.
  3. Without wrapping the bowl, heat in a 600 watt microwave for about 5 minutes, then mix well with a rubber spatula wetted with water. Add the walnuts and mix thoroughly again.
  4. Spread the dough on a batter with potato starch spread out, and sprinkle powdered sugar on the surface.

If you make yubeshi at home, you can eat as much as you want when you want! Please give it a try.

A collection of unique Yubeshi from manufacturers in the prefecture!

There are many manufacturers and confectionery shops in Fukushima Prefecture that manufacture yubeshi. Among them, this time I have picked out three recommended Yubeshi at my own discretion.

Kannoya "Family Legends Yubeshi"

Kannoya's " Home Legend Yubeshi " has an impressive appearance. The bean paste is wrapped in thinly stretched yubeshi dough and pinched it on three sides. This unique shape is apparently akin to the shape of a crane with its wings spread.

The yubeshi skin is soft and has a chewy texture reminiscent of dumplings. The part where the skin is combined is particularly thick and has a plump texture. The bean paste melts well and the elegant sweetness begins to melt smoothly. The soft, spreading aroma of soy sauce and the scattered poppy seeds are a great accent. Each dish is rich in flavor, but the flavor is refreshing, making it a famous confection that you'll want to try again.

Kannoya "Home Legend Yubeshi" <Information>

Kashiwaya: "Kurumi Yubeshi Mochizuri"

This is a walnut yubeshi shaped into a square. The dough, which is made with plenty of rice, is soaking and thick, and the texture melts smoothly. The soy sauce has a strong presence and a modest sweetness, making the flavor crisp. The aroma of finely crushed walnuts spreads in your mouth, giving it a rich flavor. This is probably a snack that is easy to eat even for those who don't like sweets.

The package depicts a rich landscape of the Satoyama with a flavourful style. The cute squirrel is impressive.

Kashiwaya "Kurumi Yubeshi Mochizuri" <Information>

Sanmon Kokuro "Walnut Yuzumoko"

Each of the 30,000 koku walnut yuzu mochiko is small in size. It is shaped like a rectangular stick shape and carefully packaged in a wrapping paper that looks like a baroshiki. It looks like a fancy look, sprinkled with sparkling powdered sugar. If you eat while wrapping it in a wrapping paper, your hands won't get dirty. The dough is darker in colour, but the taste is gentle. On the other hand, the walnuts that have been kneaded are large in size, and the walnuts are always hit in one bite. Therefore, the filling texture and aromatic flavor make your mouth and heart very satisfying. This is a great item that we especially recommend for nut lovers.

Sanmankoku "Walnut Yuzumomochi" <Information>

Find your favorite "Yubesi"!

This time we've delved into Yubeshi, which is also a very popular souvenir sweet from Fukushima.

Yubeshi is a rice cake made from yuzu, just like the kanji for "yuzu mochiko." As this spread throughout the area, it merged with the local climate and food culture, creating a rich, regional yubeshi. Yubeshi Love has been passed down to generations among the people living in Fukushima today, and today delicious products are still being sold by various manufacturers and confectionery shops. Be sure to compare and find your favorite "My Best of Yubeshi."

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