Chestnuts are beloved all around the world. In Japan, chestnuts are synoymous with the taste of Fall.
There are a variety of ways to eat chestnuts in different countries and regions, but today I would like to introduce a way of enjoying chestnuts unique to Japan.
Are you familiar with Kurikinton?
Kurikinton itself has two separate types. One, generally seen at New Years, is a mixture of sweet potato and chestnut with lots of sugar. Because it is generally yellow in color it is eaten during the New Year as a dish to bring good luck with money.
It is a dish beloved by many Japanese people.
However, the other kurikinton, eaten in Fall, is also exceptional.
It is a Japanese confectionery using a chestnut paste that preserves the natural flavor of chestnuts while adding sweetness with sugar. It is squeezed with a tea cloth into a chestnut shape. When these kurikinton begin appearing in confectionery shops at department stores, it feels like Fall has arrived. The simple sweetness of warm chestnuts makes you feel at ease when you eat them, letting you enjoy a relaxing moment of rest in the midst of your busy day-to-day.
If you come to Japan in early Fall, be sure to stop by the section of department stores where Japanese sweets are lined up for sale.
It is sure to soothe any weariness you’ve built up during your trip.