Kurikinton

Kuri-Kinton

*Introduction

We ate one of the wagashi for autumn, Kuri-Kinton made by Keigetu-Dou in Matsue, Japan. We’ll describe it according to the five senses.

*Appearance

Its color is light brown and it looks like a chestnut.  There is a maple leaf that has a beautiful gradation, from orange to yellow on the top! 
If you look closely at the picture you can see some black areas on top of the wagashi.  This was probably done with a kitchen torch to add interest.

*Sound of the Name

This is named from a Japanese foods, Kuri-Kinton.

Let me explain differences between two Kuri-Kintons.

Kuri-Kinton（栗金団）is one of the foods in Osechi. Osechi are the traditional Japanese foods that are eaten from the first day of the new year.  Its color is gold or yellow and represents money. Kuri-Kinton is usually very sweet.

But, This wagashi, Kuri-Kinton(栗きんとん) is a different one. This Kuri-Kinton is less sweet than Kuri-Kinton（栗金団）. And its shape, like a chestnut, is made with Chakin-Shibori (squeezing in a tea napkin).

*Touch

The texture of this wagashi is moist, creamy and soft.

*Smell

This wagashi has a light chestnut aroma.

*Taste

It has a rich chestnut taste.  It has only light brown bean paste that taste like chestnuts.

This wagashi has chestnuts and sugar but it isn't so sweet.