Wait, these are candy?! Let’s try some Japanese confectionary
Did you know that in Japan there are candy which use vegetables?
To look at, they appear to be real vegetables, but they taste like delicious candy.
This is one food that will definitely surprise family and friends if you take some back to your country as a souvenir.
These are all candy
Umebachiya is a shop which produces and sells traditional candied vegetables originating from the Edo period.
A small store found downtown
Candied vegetables originally came about as a way of preserving food in the Edo period,
and given that sugar itself was valuable, these vegetables also became a valuable confectionary.
Although there were once several confectionary shops in Tokyo, nowadays the taste of Edo can only be found at this store.
Handmade candy made carefully
Using seasonal vegetables, each one is cut and placed into a basket so that the pieces do not fall apart while being boiled in water for several hours.
The vegetables are boiled for several hours in a large pot
Once they are completely boiled, the quantity of sugar is gradually increased over several days.
This is ginger that has turned amber after being boiled in sugar
Once the vegetables have been completely cooked and taken from the pot, they are quickly sprinkled with sugar by hand.
According to the store’s owner and craftsman, Soichi Maruyama,
raising the sugar content to the utmost limit while boiling the vegetables means that the sweets do not become sticky and are smooth.
The best priced product is the ‘Nanakusa’ which includes seven types of vegetables and costs ¥810.
The products can be eaten up to fourteen days after purchase.
Although they are preserved items, today they contain more water than in the Edo period giving them a shorter shelf life.
7-variety box ‘Nanakusa’ ¥810 (tax included)
The taste of vegetables and sweet sugar will melt in your mouth, with a surprisingly fresh taste.
Each vegetable still has its own unique texture, making it fun to experience the individuality of each one.
You will be left wondering what kind of flavor each sweet has, and will want to try one after the other.
Sumidagawa small (9 varieties) ¥1296 (tax included)
Using Japanese vegetables such as goya and fuki, these make a great souvenir.
There is also the fluffy and delicious ‘sweet natto’, made from beans boiled in sugar.
Inside the shop there is also a café space with 12 seats for customers to eat in.
Matcha with any choice of candied vegetable ¥648 (tax included)
The Solamachi is next to the Sky Tree.
JAPAN Travel Concierge
Qlip