Anko Recipe - Japanese Sweet Red Bean Paste (2024)

FAQs

What is the use of anko paste? ›

The Japanese use the sweetened paste in many traditional Japanese sweets, such as Daif*cku Mochi, Dango, Dorayaki, Taiyaki, Manju, Zenzai, and Anpan. For a fusion dessert, you could also top your morning toast or pancakes with the paste.

What is Anko? Sometimes known as An (餡), Anko (餡子, あんこ) is a Japanese sweet red bean paste made from azuki beans. It is the most common filling used in many Japanese sweets.

'Anko' is a sweet paste or jam made from boiled Japanese red beans called 'Azuki beans,' water, and sugar. It is a common ingredient used in Japanese cuisine, especially for making traditional Japanese sweets.

How is Anko Eaten? Unlike plain red azuki beans, anko is used primarily in sweet treats. And when you think of traditional Japanese dessert ingredients, anko is at the top of the list. Anko is squirted into dessert buns like manju or anpan (pan comes from the Portuguese word for “bread”).

Red bean paste often has a high sugar content, which is not overly healthy. However, the beans themselves are a fantastic source of protein, fibre, vitamins and minerals, which are good for the body. If eaten in moderation, dishes and sweets containing red bean paste can be a part of a healthy balanced diet.

This is the most common and popular type of red bean paste eaten in Chinese confections. It can also be eaten on its own or in sweet soups. Smooth. Adzuki beans are boiled without sugar, mashed, and diluted into a slurry.

There are two types of anko: Tsubu-an, which is made by cooking adzuki beans so as not to crush the grains, and koshi-an, which is cooked adzuki paste with the outer skin removed. Besides "wagashi", it is also used as an ingredient of the popular Japanese bread "Anpan" (sweet bread with anko inside of it).

Kmart has told 7NEWS.com.au that Anko is in fact its own brand label, and it made the decision to start operating in the US back in 2018. The decision to close Anko in the US will not affect products in Australia, which will still be available in Kmart stores here.

As well as being an acronym for “A New Kind Of”, the name is also an abbreviation of Kmart's previous “&Co” branding. In 2018 Kmart announced it would stop branding its products by department and streamline them under a single name.

Anko is Kmart Australia's house brand: an evolution of the “&Co” branding it had previously used for individual departments such as “Kids&Co”, “Home&Co” and “Clothing&Co”. Introduced in 2019 to celebrate Kmart's 50th anniversary, Anko also means “A New Kind Of”, representing the company's changed philosophy since 2008.

What are the side effects of adzuki beans? ›

Side Effects Of Adzuki Beans:

However, owing to their high fibre content, ingesting high amounts of adzuki beans presents with problems of excessive gas and flatulence, as well as health issues in the digestive tract, liver and kidneys owing to surplus fibre and protein intake.

Coffee-flavored cream or chocolate are great, and so are strawberries or other fruit paired with mascarpone cheese or whipped cream, then drizzled with honey or maple syrup. You can even put bacon or cured ham in with the anko for a slightly salty twist.

The Bottom Line. Adzuki beans are rich in nutrients, such as fiber, protein and manganese. They are linked to several health benefits, including weight loss, improved digestion and a lower risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease. You can make them into a red bean paste, sprout them or simply boil them.

Anko is a sweet red bean paste that's used to hold together pastries, cakes, and other desserts that come from Japan. Store cooled anko in a covered container in the refrigerator.

When does red bean paste expire? Unopened commercial red bean paste usually has a quite long shelf life and can be stored for up to 12 months at room temperature. Always check the best-by date on the package for more specific information. Once opened, it lasts about 7-10 days in the refrigerator.

WAYS TO ENJOY - Perfect as an alternative to jam, the Anko Spread With Butter is a great addition to breakfast classics such as toast, muffins, pancakes, and waffles. Try it in dessert form by topping it on ice cream, crepes, or cake. ABOUT THE COMPANY - Kuze f*cku & Sons brings modern specialty Japanese food to the US.

Anko is a sweet red bean paste that's used to hold together pastries, cakes, and other desserts that come from Japan. Store cooled anko in a covered container in the refrigerator.

The Bottom Line

Adzuki beans are rich in nutrients, such as fiber, protein and manganese. They are linked to several health benefits, including weight loss, improved digestion and a lower risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease. You can make them into a red bean paste, sprout them or simply boil them.

Jajangmyeon sauce

The sauce is made with chunjang (춘장), which is a Korean-style black bean paste made with fermented wheat flour, soybeans and caramel sauce. Its use is pretty much limited to Korean-Chinese dishes.