Nerikiri (Workshop)

While the world of traditional Japanese sweets runs deep, “nerikiri” is perhaps the most well-known with its beautiful presentation and delicate taste. Made from soft chewy mochi and smooth red bean paste, the confection exudes refined simplicity that Japanese food/sweets is known for. The mochi itself makes up the outer portion while the red bean paste in in the middle, typically kneaded with various other ingredients depending on the time of year or season.

Nerikiri has a long history with its roots and development strongly linked to the traditional Japanese tea ceremony. In a Japanese tea ceremony, a sort of traditional sweet item is served along with the tea as part of the experience. Nerikiri, being slightly sweeter than other typical Japanese traditional sweets, perfectly complements the matcha, creating a harmonious flavor palette that enhances the already amazing tea ceremony experience.

As an artform, Nerikiri may be one of the more colorful sweets among the other traditional Japanese sweets. With the softer mochi acting as the cover, the mochi is kneaded, colored, and shaped into various designs. These designs will typically align with the seasons or special occasion, whether it be in the shape of a specific flower, shape, or food depending on the occasion. This alongside with the brilliant colors used in nerikiri make for not only a tasteful experience but also a wonderful visual experience as well.