Seijo Kankidan is the oldest sweet in Japan with a thousand years of history
As people all over the world know, Japanese desserts have a unique charm that is unlike any other. There are many types of desserts, from modern to traditional, and their deliciousness satisfies many people.
The end of the year is the time when many foreign tourists visit Japan. So, this time, we will introduce one of the oldest and unique desserts in existence, especially for foreign tourists who visit at this time of year. If you are a dessert lover planning to travel to Japan, please refer to this information!
"Seijo Kankidan" is said to be one of the oldest sweets in Japan. It is said that about 1,300 years ago, during the Nara period (710-794), a Japanese ambassador brought back a sweet called "Kankidan" from China. This was also the time when Buddhism was introduced to Japan, and "Kankidan" means "ball of happiness" in Chinese, and may have come from the Indian dessert "Modaka".
When it was first introduced to Japan, this dessert was used as an offering to the gods and was only used as a donation to monks and ascetics. However, during the Heian period, it spread among the nobility as "Seijo Kankidan", and eventually became available to the general public.
Photo source:: Rakuten.co.jp
When you think of traditional Japanese desserts, many people think of a soft, sticky texture. While there are many desserts that are colorful and beautiful in appearance, "Seijo Kankidan" is a little different. This sweet is made of rice flour and wheat flour with natural colors, and is wrapped with seasoned bean paste in the traditional Japanese sweets style with a light sweetness. After being carefully shaped by artisans, it is fried in sesame oil to create a golden, crispy outside and soft inside. The unique aroma of this dessert, which many people liken to the "smell of incense sticks," is made with seven secret herbs, including cinnamon, cloves, licorice, and sandalwood. These scents symbolize cleanliness and purity, and the flower-shaped surface symbolizes the Buddhist lotus flower.
It is believed that "Seijyo Kankidan" is actually a dessert created to be offered to Buddha.
"Seijyo Kankidan," which is said to be the root of modern Japanese sweets, can be tasted today at a long-established confectionery shop in Kyoto. Kameya Kiyonaga, founded in 1617, continues to protect this traditional recipe and manufacturing method, providing an unchanging taste.
If you are planning to visit Kyoto, be sure to try this historic dessert at least once. This is not just a dessert, but a valuable experience where you can feel the history and aroma on your tongue!
Please try this dessert to see what impression it gives you with its aroma, sweetness, and unique flavor. If you have already tried "Seijyo Kankidan," please let us know your impressions!
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