Kinako doesn’t sound good as a dessert ingredient; when translated, kinako means “toasted soy bean flour” and the kanji are written as “yellow flour” (is that like yellow snow?) To some people, the thought of soy= tofu= *blech* and the thought of beans used similarly= WTF?!
However, kinako is absolutely delish and I add it to whatever I can- yogurt, oatmeal, ice cream, toast- whenever I can. Not only does kinako taste great, it’s high in protein and B vitamins and may be easier to digest for some people who have difficulty with peanuts (that’d be me).
Kinako has a long history as a confectionery ingredient. The Japanese have been using it to make wagashi for at least 300 years, and it’s hard to imagine Japanese sweets without kinako.
Kinako has a peanut-like flavor. Yet, it can be distinguished from peanut powder by its lack of bitterness- which peanuts sometimes have- and by its subtle flavor and sweetness- which is a notch above peanuts. Why wouldn’t I pick up a candy that has this tasty additive as the main ingredient?
The sanontou in the name of this sweet refers to Japanese brown sugar and the kinako, is -duh- kinako, while the nejiru refers to the treat’s appearance, i.e. twists. Thus: Brown sugar kinako twists, yum!
The packaging is meh, but the smiley logo on the bag seems to be privy to some knowledge that I, as of yet, am not. I’ll know your secrets yet, smiling product mascot!
These wagashi look tempting as a solid manifestation of kianko delight. However, to the uninitiated, this wagashi may not be too alluring, since it does resemble dried up turds. But, if you want to enjoy Japanese treats, I urge you to overcome any discouraging visuals you may encounter.
The first bite has me hooked: It’s my dream come true of a hearty rendition of this nutty powder. Each piece is a chewy bit of kinako heaven; not too chewy, though, and not too soft, just enough to make your mouth work to earn this glorious treat.
Even though sugar and corn syrup are the only other ingredients backing up the star of this show- kinako- there’s a perfect balance between sweet and nutty. The texture and taste of this wagashi are in harmony, making Sanontou Kinakonejiri a must try for any kinako fan or for anyone who likes subtle nutty flavors.
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Sanontou Kinakonejiru gets an overall .
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