[Ninja Baker] Japan’s Love Affair with the Azuki Red Bean

[Ninja Baker]

Sakura mochi stuffed with anko - red bean paste. The fresh leaf which wraps this sweet is earthy and divine enhancing the sensory delight of the dessert.

Azuki Red Beans

Whether you spell the staple of Japanese desserts, adzuki or azuki, the fact remains that archaeologists confirmed that from 4000 BC the sweet red bean has been an essential item in every Japanese diet. Allegedly the pods were a Korean import. (According to Wikipedia and my history-smart Japanese pal.) 

A swift march through azuki-filled sweets history: 

The Tale of Genji Emaki (Picture Scroll)

Preceding the American import of iPads, illustrated books were enjoyed on emaki (picture scrolls.) One entitled The Tale of Genji featured desserts served with green tea. Many believe red bean paste filled the sweets shown on the scroll. Why? From ancient times bitter green tea has been served with pounded rice filled with the azuki. The desserts stuffed with red bean paste – anko – were treats reserved only for those of the Imperial family. 

Japanese Green Tea (Courtesy of Pinterest)

Samurai (Courtesy of Pinterest)

By the 1500s instead of the golf course, warlords and leaders like Oda Nobunaga discussed business and politics over tea and sweets. Undoubtedly many of the desserts they consumed were filled with the anko red bean paste.

Exquisitely Crafted Wagashi (Courtesy of Pinterest)

White Flower Wagashi (Courtesy of Pinterest)

Since the 1600s a confectionery by the name of Toraya has been in the business of selling wagashi - exquisitely crafted mochi (pounded rice) jam-packed with azuki red bean paste - to the Imperial family, samurai and others of the moneyed set.  

Toraya Blossom Wagashi (Courtesy of Pinterest)

And a less artistic but delicious daifuku (a round dumpling chock-full of anko) were enjoyed by the greater Japanese populace by the 18^th century. Literally translated the word means “large (dai) good fortune (fuku).” (Originally the Chinese character for belly – also read as “fuku” – was used.) 

Daifuku (Courtesy of Pinterest)

Dorayaki: Sweet bean paste sandwiched between pancakes.

Fast forward, from the 20^th century, train stations, convenience stores readily serve and sell red bean paste stuffed breads (an-pan) and dorayaki (azuki sandwiched between pancakes.) The Japanese, by the way, adopted the French word for bread – pain. However, the pancakes used for dorayaki are a far cry from skinny crêpes. They’re better! Thicker than most American flapjacks and slightly sweeter. 

An-Pan Man and Friends

Superhero An-Pan Man

The seventies saw the birth of   An-Pan Man: A superhero manga character created by Uncle Jam, a baker. By the eighties An-Pan Man was fighting his nemesis Baikin-Man (Bacteria Man) on TV. Today, one of the most popular museums in Japan exhibits all things An-Pan Man. 

In 2008 Doraemon, a dorayaki loving cartoon robot cat was named as a cultural ambassador for Japan. After decades of popularity as a TV and manga book series, and the artist passed on, endings were created for the series. However, a new film featuring the beloved blue cat was released on 03 March 2012. 

Doraemon, the dorayaki loving blue robot cat. (Courtesy of Pinterest)

Etched on a dorayaki pancake is Doraemon's face. (Courtesy of Pinterest)

A trip to Japan or your closest Tokyo Town will present you with a plethora of azuki bean paste filled desserts. Better yet. Why not bake up your own an-pan? The following recipe was given to the Ninja Baker by a Japanese colleague. And remains a family fave. 

An-Pan

An-Pan Recipe:      

Ingredients:

3 Cups Japanese Bread Flour (or King Arthur’s Bread Flour)

2 Teaspoons Yeast

4 ½ Tablespoons Sugar

½ Egg

¾ Cup Lukewarm Water

1 Teaspoon Salt

3 ½ Tablespoons Butter

Red Bean Paste (Available at any Asian market)

Whole Eggs for brushing on the buns before baking

Flour for rolling out the dough

Directions:

Preheat an oven to 325 degrees.

Line cookie sheets with parchment paper.

1.    Put all ingredients with the exception of the water and eggs into your bread machine. (I like to gently mix the ingredients so as to evenly distribute the sugar and butter. Both which can be the culprits of burned bread.)

2.    Pour in the water and slightly whisked ½ egg.

3.    Choose the White Bread and Dough Only setting on your bread machine.

4.    Divide the dough into palm-sized/baseball-like balls.

5.    Roll out to approximately ¼ of inch thick circles.

6.    Fill each circle with red bean paste. (Not too much or it will ooze out.)

7.    Wrap into a tight bundle.

8.    Brush each with whisked eggs.

9.    Bake for 35 minutes or until golden brown.

10  Enjoy your an-pan!

  

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Gluten-Free Chocolate Osaka Miso Mini Cakes.

  

Wishing you sweets, smarts and a week which produces only happy-making history.

© Watkinson 2011

The Ninja Baker

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Posted By Ninja Baker to Ninja Baker at 3/12/2012 02:58:00 AM