Daifuku
Daifukumochi, or daifuku, is a wagashi, a type of Japanese confection, consisting of a small round mochi stuffed with a sweet filling, most commonly anko, a sweetened red bean paste made from azuki beans. Daifuku is often served with green tea.
Daifuku comes in many varieties. The most common are white, pale green, or pale pink-colored mochi filled with anko. Daifuku are approximately 4 cm in diameter. Nearly all are covered in a fine layer of rice flour, corn starch, or potato starch to keep them from sticking to each other or to the fingers. Though mochitsuki is the traditional method of making mochi and daifuku, they can also be cooked in a microwave.
History
Daifuku was originally called Habutai mochi because of its filling's nature. Later, the name was changed to daifuku mochi. Since the pronunciations of Fuku and Fuku are the same in Japanese, the name was further changed to daifuku mochi, a bringer of good luck. By the end of the 18th century, daifuku were gaining popularity, and people began eating them toasted. They were also used for gifts in ceremonial occasions.Varieties
; Yomogi daifuku; Mame daifuku
; Shio daifuku
; Awa daifuku
; Ichigo daifuku
; Ume daifuku
; Coffee daifuku
; Mont Blanc daifuku
; Purin daifuku
; Mochi ice cream