[Akita] What is Sanazura? Introducing delicious and healthy Japanese sweets that are perfect as souvenirs

When it comes to souvenirs from Akita, Kinman and Iburigakko are the standard ones, but many people may feel that there is something a little more unusual that would make them happy.

In this article, we will explain in detail about Sanazura, a delicious and healthy Japanese sweet that is recommended for such people.

What is Sanazura ?

Sanazura is a jelly-like sweet made from wild grapes and natural agar, manufactured and sold by Eitaro, a long-established Japanese sweets store founded in 1883.

Yamagata's famous confectionery ``Noshi-ume'' is made by grinding plums and kneading them into agar, forming them into a rectangular shape and sandwiching them between two pieces of bamboo skin.The Sanazura are also rectangular and made from Kyogi (a thin wooden board). It looks very similar because it is sandwiched between two pieces of paper that imitate it and wrapped in Japanese paper.

The name comes from the dialect word ``sanazura,'' which means wild grapes that grow in the mountains and fields of Akita, but it can be said that the sweets are now more famous than the dialect word.

Wild grapes have long been said to be good for recovering from anemia and fatigue, but in recent years they have also attracted attention for their high content of polyphenols, which suppress the action of active oxygen, which causes lifestyle-related diseases.

Also, since agar contains a lot of dietary fiber, it has recently become popular as a diet food.

Sanazura, a delicious and healthy Japanese sweet, is recommended as a souvenir or as a regular tea snack.

How to eat Sanazura and what is its expiration date ?

In an article in the Akita Keizai Shimbun in July 2021, it was published that ``Maritozzo'', which is made by chopping Sanazura and dressing it with fresh cream, will be sold at Eitaro's Itoku Shinkokudo store and Self-Defense Street store.

At a time when the number of stores selling Maritozzo, a popular sweet in Akita Prefecture, was increasing, releasing a collaboration product with Sanazura added novelty and may have helped appeal to the younger generation of Japanese sweets fans. Is it not?

You can also easily make Sanazura Maritozzo at home by replacing the brioche used in Maritozzo with bread rolls and preparing fresh cream and chopped Sanazura.

Sanazura is a delicious snack that can be eaten as is, but you can enjoy it even more if you know some of these recipes.

Sanazura lasts for about 40 days due to its natural acidic properties, so we recommend trying out different ways to eat it during this time.

Reference: Akita Keizai Shimbun ``Popular sweets ``Maritozzo'' available in various arrangements at Akita confectionery shops.''

If you want to buy Sanazura

Sanazura can be purchased at Eitaro's directly managed stores: Saiwaimachi store, Minamidori store, Itoku Shinkokudo store, Itoku Self-Defense Force Street store, Akita Station Topico store, and Niida store.

There is also a link to the online shop on Eitaro's homepage, so you may want to purchase from there.

We have summarized the Sanazura related products that are available at the online shop as of March 2022.

Sanazura related product names

Price (all tax included)

Sanazura (8 pieces)

\840

Sanazura (12 pieces)

\1,260

Sanazura (18 pieces)

\1,890

Sanazura (24 pieces)

\2,520

Sanazura jelly (3 pieces)

\860

Sanazura jelly (6 pieces)

\1,690

Eitaro's Akita souvenir set (small)

\3,140

Akita souvenir set (large) from Eitaro

\4,090

Eitaro's Akita souvenir set will be shipped at any time after April 1, 2022.

The advantage is that you can order them for yourself or take them as souvenirs in reasonable quantities.

Reference: Eitaro official homepage “Sanazura”

summary

Sanazura is a jelly-like sweet made from wild grapes and natural agar that is manufactured and sold by Eitaro, a long-established Japanese confectionery shop in Akita.It is not only delicious but also healthy, rich in dietary fiber and polyphenols. Because it is a traditional sweet, it has become popular as a gift or as an order item.

When you visit Akita, be sure to try Sanazura at least once.

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