50 Japanese Tea-Time Treats

<p>Japanese tea-time treats or <em>wagashi</em> offer a refined and delicate approach to enjoying tea with an emphasis on seasonal ingredients and natural sweetness. One of the most iconic sweets is <em>mochi</em> a chewy rice-based cake that can be filled with a variety of fillings like sweet red bean paste (<em>anko</em>) or ice cream. <em>Dorayaki</em> a type of pancake filled with sweet red bean paste is another beloved treat often enjoyed with a cup of matcha. <em>Senbei</em> (crispy rice crackers) can be savory or sweet often flavored with soy sauce sugar or seaweed. For those with a preference for traditional sweets <em>nerikiri</em> (a type of molded colored sweet) made from sweet bean paste and rice flour is often crafted into beautiful shapes reflecting the season.</p><p></p><p>Another popular treat is <em>taiyaki</em> a fish-shaped pastry filled with sweet red bean paste or custard. <em>Matcha-flavored sweets</em> are a favorite with <em>matcha mochi</em> and <em>matcha ice cream</em> offering a vibrant earthy flavor that pairs well with the bitterness of Japanese green tea. <em>Anmitsu</em> a jelly dessert served with fruit syrup and sweet red beans offers a refreshing treat especially in the warmer months. <em>Kasutera</em> a sponge cake brought to Japan from Portugal is light and sweet making it a perfect accompaniment to tea. <em>Yatsuhashi</em> a cinnamon-flavored confection from Kyoto and <em>kibi dango</em> chewy rice flour candies add variety and texture to the range of Japanese tea-time treats. These sweets often served with <em>sencha</em> or <em>matcha</em> reflect Japan's cultural reverence for balance seasonality and harmony in food.</p>