HoraceJapan has a deep affection for dessert, which include candy and other snacks. People in Japan were already manufacturing sweets before the invention of sugar, using everything available, like rice and beans paste and flower nectar. This love of dessert increased with the arrival of sugar, and Japan saw a surge in the production of japanese candy, albeit with a little less sugar than their western counterparts. Japan has a vast selection of high-quality confectionery, from well-known brands to exciting new products. There are many different things to taste, from sweet Japanese appetizers to delectable Japanese chocolate. Here is the untold history of Japanese candy that everyone should know.
The History
The first recorded use of the Japanese word for candy is in historical documents from the Nara Period, precisely the first half of the 8th century. That suggests that candy consumption began in Japan more than 1,300 eons ago. The Chronicles of Japan, a historical tome, claims that candy-making started in Japan some 2,700 eons ago. According to a Japanese folktale, Emperor Jinmu invented candy to spread joy and encourage world peace. Throughout the Edo eons, candy became a more regular part of people’s life since ordinary people enjoyed it as sweet.
Japan has traditionally used water candy, a sweet rice-based liquid that can be valuable in making sweets. However, they started utilizing black sugar as a candy ingredient during the Edo Period, allowing people to produce intricate, sweeter, more delectable candies. During that period, candy vendors started to appear on the streets, selling candy while sporting showy attire and performing musical instruments. They amused the crowd by demonstrating how they could stretch and bend the candy before it hardened.
Evolving of Japanese candy
The history of Japanese candy indicates that the snack has continued to evolve. Even today, candy is still considered a crucial confection among Japanese people. Bodega stores, supermarkets, candy shops, and other retailers sell sweets. That demonstrates how deeply candy has ingrained itself in daily life. Also, it’s a running joke that senior citizens from Japan always carry sweets in their luggage and greet strangers with them.
Japanese candy and art
Since they have been present for hundreds of years, people are still developing candy sculptures in the twenty-first century. Candy sculptures of animals and other figures were famous during the Edo epoch, but today’s artists may create a wide variety of sculptures that appear even more lifelike. Some artists create intricate candy creations that closely resemble breathing, alive creatures. What’s more impressive is that you can buy and eat these confections; they’re not only for show. Because they are natural food coloring products, they are suitable for you and gentle on your body. To consume something that looks so good could feel wasteful.
Conclusion
The history of Japanese candy shows that candy is a common component of daily life in many parts of Japan. Examples include magnificent sugar sculptures, throat treatments for colds, and candy apples, a staple of celebrations. Candy will undoubtedly keep evolving as a uniquely Japanese form of confection.