Bitsen

Bitsen is a traditional Japanese confectionery made from sweet red bean paste, often referred to as anko. The name "bitsen" is derived from the Japanese words "bit" meaning sweet and "sen" meaning bean. It is typically filled with anko and wrapped in a thin layer of mochi, a type of rice cake. The mochi is often colored red to resemble the anko filling, and the entire confectionery is then coated with kinako, a sweet powder made from roasted soybeans.

Bitsen is a popular snack in Japan, often enjoyed as a dessert or a mid-afternoon treat. It is also commonly used as a filling for other sweets, such as daifuku mochi and taiyaki, a fish-shaped cake. The combination of the soft, chewy mochi and the sweet, creamy anko filling makes bitsen a beloved treat among Japanese people.

The history of bitsen can be traced back to the Edo period in Japan. It was initially created as a simple snack for the common people, but it quickly gained popularity among the upper class as well. Today, bitsen is widely available in Japanese supermarkets and convenience stores, and it is also a popular export item, with many Japanese confectioneries producing bitsen for international markets.