Wagashi: Japanese Desserts

Forget the Halloween candy, this is what I've been snacking on for the past week.  My husband surprised me with a box of Japanese desserts from Minamoto Kitchoan.  Minamoto Kitchoan has become one of our favorite places to purchase wagashi.  Wagashi is a traditional Japanese dessert that is often served with green tea.  It's mainly made with plant based foods such as red beans, chestnuts and sweet potatoes. 

I thought I would share a few pictures of the desserts with you.  If you're looking for a hostess gift to impress, you might want to try one of these boxes filled with Japanese confections.  They're always beautifully wrapped, ready to gift.  These desserts usually last no longer than a month so if you're going to gift a box for the holidays, keep that in mind.  Some of the desserts are only good for about a week.

Inside this pretty package is Hakutoujelly.  It's a peach flavored jelly that has the texture of a gelatin apple sauce.

Fuku Watashi Senbei -  Vanilla cream filled cookie

Cherry Blossom Wagashi - sorry I don't have the official name for this one.  I was more concerned with eating it than documenting it. 

Here's what the cherry wagashi looks like.  Many of the wagashi desserts have a cake like outside and a flavored center.  Many of the confections have mashed up sweetened beans inside.  They're always just as pretty in the inside as they are on the outside.

What special items do you like to bring for a hostess gift?  I always like hearing new ideas.