Wasanbon-toh is a fine grain sugar made from chikutoh, a thin sugar cane.Most of this type of sugar is manufactured in Shikoku and is the choice when making traditional Japanese confections.
You can also find them made into these molded shapes.
They are served with the strong almost thick matcha (green tea) at tea ceremonies.
I've also heard that you can also put them into coffee, like sugar cubes.
Some people use the unmolded sugar in cooking.I received these from different people, the one on top is from Kyoto and the other from Shikoku and I like the different shapes and pastel colors.
I know I should use them, but they seem a bit too pretty to use, don't you agree?
At first I thought they were soaps but upon reading that they're sugar! How big are they in size? In my browser they are looking a lot like mini-soap size (and yes, they are too cute to use.)
ReplyDeleteLike an inch or so big, Rowena. I guess I should have held it in my hand or something to show the size :)
ReplyDeleteTake care.
Kat
p.s. I think we're the only ones online now :)
Ooh, I had no idea these even existed! Haha, like Rowena, I thought at first maybe they were some fancy guest bath cubes! Even better that they're full of sugary sweetness - though almost too pretty to use! :)
ReplyDeleteYou're right Kat - those are almost too pretty to break up.....
ReplyDeleteThe sugars are lovely; I would use them for special occasions.
ReplyDeletewant to try one!
ReplyDeleteI saw so many of these in Kyoto and wondered what they were in they were in so many amazing shapes. So can you just eat them like a candy?
ReplyDeletedoes it taste the same coming from different city? I would want to try this!
ReplyDeletedefinitely too pretty Jude :)
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you agree Kirk :)
That is a good idea Chandlerguera :)
'kay Franky :)
more like pure sugar than candy Sarah.
Thanks Jalna, love the shapes.
sorry Patzie, I haven't tried either one yet :)
Take care everyone.
Kat
Pretty! I'm guessing these are larger versions of what I had (http://www.flickr.com/photos/kathyylchan/4839931484/) with tea at an NYC restaurant?
ReplyDeleteI think they may be about or a little larger than what you had Kathy :)
ReplyDeleteTake care.
Kat
I join everyone else in thinking they were guest soaps. ;-) They are very pretty--I would probably save them too. ;-)
ReplyDeleteThanks Debinhawaii :) will definitely try using them soon, maybe in tea.
ReplyDeleteTake care.
Kat