Tsukimi Daifuku
   HOME

TheInfoList



OR:

, or (literally "great luck"), is a
wagashi are traditional Japanese confections that are often served with green tea, especially the types made of ''mochi'', ''anko'' ( azuki bean paste), and fruit. ''Wagashi'' are typically made from plant-based ingredients. History In Japan, the wo ...
, (a type of Japanese confection) consisting of a small round
mochi is a Japanese rice cake made of , a short-grain japonica glutinous rice, and sometimes other ingredients such as water, sugar, and cornstarch. The rice is pounded into paste and molded into the desired shape. In Japan, it is traditionally ma ...
(a glutinous rice cake) stuffed with a sweet filling, most commonly '' anko'', (a sweetened red bean paste made from azuki beans). Daifuku is a popular
wagashi are traditional Japanese confections that are often served with green tea, especially the types made of ''mochi'', ''anko'' ( azuki bean paste), and fruit. ''Wagashi'' are typically made from plant-based ingredients. History In Japan, the wo ...
in Japan and is often served with green tea. Daifuku comes in many varieties. The most common are white, pale green, or pale pink-colored mochi filled with anko. Daifuku are approximately 4 cm (1.5 in) in diameter. Nearly all daifuku are covered in a fine layer of
rice flour Rice flour (also rice powder) is a form of flour made from finely milled rice. It is distinct from rice starch, which is usually produced by steeping rice in lye. Rice flour is a common substitute for wheat flour. It is also used as a thickening ...
(rice starch), corn starch, or
potato starch Potato starch is starch extracted from potatoes. The cells of the root tubers of the potato plant contain leucoplasts (starch grains). To extract the starch, the potatoes are crushed, and the starch grains are released from the destroyed cells. T ...
to keep them from sticking to each other or to the fingers. Though
mochitsuki is a Japanese rice cake made of , a short-grain japonica glutinous rice, and sometimes other ingredients such as water, sugar, and cornstarch. The rice is pounded into paste and molded into the desired shape. In Japan, it is traditionally ma ...
is the traditional method of making
mochi is a Japanese rice cake made of , a short-grain japonica glutinous rice, and sometimes other ingredients such as water, sugar, and cornstarch. The rice is pounded into paste and molded into the desired shape. In Japan, it is traditionally ma ...
and daifuku, they can also be cooked in the microwave.


History

Daifuku was originally called (belly thick rice cake) because of its filling's nature. Later, the name was changed to (big belly rice cake). Since the pronunciations of (belly) and (luck) are the same in Japanese, the name was further changed to (great luck rice cake), a bringer of good luck. By the end of the 18th century, daifuku were gaining popularity, and people began eating them toasted. They were also used for gifts in ceremonial occasions.


Varieties

Some versions contain whole pieces of fruit, mixtures of fruit and anko, or crushed
melon A melon is any of various plants of the family Cucurbitaceae with sweet, edible, and fleshy fruit. The word "melon" can refer to either the plant or specifically to the fruit. Botanically, a melon is a kind of berry, specifically a " pepo". Th ...
paste. Some are covered with confectioner's sugar or cocoa powder. ; : A version made with , which is mochi flavored with
mugwort Mugwort is a common name for several species of aromatic flowering plants in the genus '' Artemisia.'' In Europe, mugwort most often refers to the species ''Artemisia vulgaris'', or common mugwort. In East Asia the species ''Artemisia argyi'' is ...
. ; : A version where azuki beans or soybeans are mixed into mochi and/or azuki sweetfilling. ; : A version which contains unsweetened anko filling; it has a mild salty taste. ; : A version made with , which is mochi mixed with
Foxtail millet Foxtail millet, scientific name ''Setaria italica'' (synonym ''Panicum italicum'' L.), is an annual grass grown for human food. It is the second-most widely planted species of millet, and the most grown millet species in Asia. The oldest evide ...
. ; : A variation containing strawberry and sweet filling, most commonly anko, inside a small round mochi. Creams are sometimes used for sweet filling. Because it contains strawberry, it is usually eaten during the springtime. It was invented in the 1980s. Many patisseries claim to have invented the confection, so its exact origin is vague. ; : A version which contains sweetened
Japanese apricot ''Prunus mume'' is an East Asian and Southeast Asian tree species classified in the ''Armeniaca'' section of the genus ''Prunus'' subgenus ''Prunus''. Its common names include Chinese plum, Japanese plum, and Japanese apricot. The flower, lon ...
instead of azuki sweetfilling. ; : A version which contains coffee flavored sweetfilling. ; : A version which contains puréed, sweetened chestnuts (Mont Blanc cream) instead of azuki sweetfilling. ; : A version which contains crème caramel (プリン) instead of azuki sweetfilling. ; :A version which contains ice cream instead of azuki sweetfilling.


See also

*
Nuomizi ''Lo mai chi'', known in Mandarin as ''nuomici'', is a type of Chinese bakery, Chinese pastry. It is one of the most standard pastries in Hong Kong. It can also be found in most Chinatown bakery shops overseas.It is also referred to as glutinous ...
* – A brand name of
mochi ice cream Mochi ice cream is a confection made from Japanese mochi (pounded sticky rice) with an ice cream filling. It was invented by Japanese-American businesswoman and community activist Frances Hashimoto. Description Mochi ice cream is a small, round ...
made by the company Lotte.


References


External links

* {{Glutinous rice dishes Glutinous rice dishes Wagashi