kuzu top

This video of a traditional kuzu confection being made is a rare treat! 

The video that captured our attention was shared on Ginza Mitsukoshi Department Store’s Facebook page and shows a type of kuzu confection known as “kuzu zakura” being made at a promotional booth in the store’s sweets section. And just what exactly is kuzu? It’s a kind of starch powder derived from the root of the kudzu plant and is used in Japanese cuisine for thickening sauces, as well as in desserts like the kuzu zakura, with beautiful, translucent results.

kuzumochi

▼ And here’s the actual video from the Ginza Mitsukoshi Facebook page showing how the kuzu zakura is created. You can almost feel the soft, jiggly texture of the kuzu!

The kuzu zakura featured in the video is the creation of Japanese confection maker Ganyudo, who is currently selling the treats for a limited time at the department store in Ginza. The Shizuoka-based confection shop is 145 years old this year, so they’re certainly a well-established Japanese sweets maker! Their kuzu zakura is made using only high quality kuzu from the Yoshino area in Nara Prefecture, and the translucent outer kuzu surface with the sweet red bean paste visible inside makes for a fascinating appearance. The red bean paste is made from shumari azuki beans from the Biei region of Hokkaido, cooked specifically to suit the delicate kuzu. As a finishing touch, the confection is wrapped with a sakura leaf that adds a lovely aroma.

kuzu closeup 2

Ganyudo’s booth at the Ginza Mitsukoshi Department Store unfortunately only runs until June 7, and after that, you’ll have to visit their shop in Shizuoka Prefecture to have their confections fresh. They do have an in-store cafe, though, so it’s definitely worth a visit if you’re in the area.

Department Store Information
Ginza Mitsukoshi Department Store
Address: 4-6-16 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 104-8212
104-8212 東京都中央区銀座4-6-16
Phone number: 03-3562-1111
Hours: 10:30 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Website

Shop Information
GANYUDO 巌邑堂
Address: Shizuoka-ken, Hamamatsu-shi, Naka-ku, Temmacho 62
静岡県浜松市中区伝馬町62
Hours: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. (Closed on Wednesdays)
Website

Source: Facebook/ Ginza Mitsukoshi, Ganyudo website
Top Image: Facebook/ Ginza Mitsukoshi
Insert images: Facebook/ Ginza Mitsukoshi, Ganyudo website product page