What Makes the Sheen of Wagashi So Beautiful
The sheen that glistens on the surface of wagashi.
It is not merely about visual beauty—it is the culmination of an artisan's skill and careful ingredient selection. Glossy wagashi visually whets the appetite and conveys a sense of premium quality. It also serves to prevent drying and to lock in flavor.
So what raw materials and techniques create this beautiful sheen? In this article, we thoroughly explain the know-how of glazing that professional wagashi artisans put into practice.
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Key Raw Materials That Create Sheen and Their Characteristics
The Role and Use of Mizuame
Mizuame (starch syrup) is an indispensable raw material for glazing wagashi. Made up of sugars, water, and gelling agents such as pectin, it has a translucent, jelly-like consistency.
Applying mizuame to the surface gives wagashi a beautiful shine. It also has drying- and discoloration-prevention effects, playing an especially important role in wagashi made with fruit.
When using it, warm the mizuame appropriately to liquefy it, then apply a thin, even coat with a brush. Applying too much makes it overly sweet, so the trick is to dilute it with a small amount of water.
Sheen and Shape Retention from Agar
Agar (kanten) is a traditional gelling agent made from tengusa seaweed that gives wagashi a distinctive sheen and texture. It comes in forms such as thread agar and powdered agar, which can be used selectively depending on the application.
Nappage (a glazing jelly) made with agar, when applied to the surface of fruit tarts or chilled confections, achieves both a translucent sheen and shape retention at once. Because it sets as it cools, it also has the effect of fixing the fruit in place.
When using powdered agar, add water and sugar, heat, and dissolve it completely before use. Proper concentration control is the key to a beautiful finish.
The Translucency Brought by Kuzu Powder
Kuzu powder is a starch used in high-end wagashi, such as hon-kuzu (kudzu starch) and Yoshino kuzu. It is characterized by a beautifully translucent finish and a smooth, refined texture.
In kuzu-mochi and kuzu-manju, the translucency and elasticity of the kuzu powder greatly influence the quality of the wagashi.Hon-kuzu powderUsing a 100% premium product produces a distinctive translucency and beautiful sheen.
When using kuzu powder, dissolve it in water, then heat and knead it thoroughly until it becomes translucent. The heat level and degree of kneading are the deciding factors for the sheen.
Glazing Techniques Using Reduced Starch Syrup
Characteristics and Effects of Reduced Starch Syrup
Reduced starch syrup is a low-saccharified reduced starch syrup containing a high proportion of long-chain sugar alcohols of five or more saccharides. With high viscosity and excellent film-forming properties, it is widely used to add glaze and sheen to prepared foods and wagashi.
Products such as SE-30 and SE-100 in particular not only give a beautiful sheen to the surface of wagashi but also have a browning-prevention effect. They are also used to suppress sauce discoloration in prepared side dishes, keeping their appearance beautiful even after reheating in a microwave.
Because reduced starch syrup has a high glass transition temperature, it can give low-moisture foods such as cookies a crisp texture. On the other hand, in high-moisture foods such as pound cake and bread, it achieves a moist texture.
SourceB Food Science Research & Development "SE-P"adapted from
Applying Sheen to Bean Pastes
To bring sheen to bean pastes such as tsubu-an, koshi-an, and white an, reduced starch syrup and hon-kuzu (kudzu starch) are effective. The premium sarashi-an offered by Minoyo, such as Tokuichigo Sarashi-an and Fuji-jirushi Sarashi-an, are characterized by their refined sweetness and smooth texture, free of off-flavors.
Adding the right amount of reduced starch syrup to these pastes creates a beautiful sheen on the surface and prevents drying. Mixing in a small amount of hon-kuzu can also achieve a translucent sheen and a refined texture at the same time.
In glazing bean paste, temperature control is important. Kneading it at the proper temperature yields an even sheen and a smooth texture.
Finishing Techniques and Tips for Increasing the Durability of the Sheen
Basic Brushing Technique
How you handle the brush when applying glazing materials greatly affects the finish. The key is to load the brush generously with the material and apply it as if setting it down onto the surface.
Applying pressure from both left and right and coating repeatedly will cause the sheen to be lost. For items arranged in a regular pattern, follow that flow; for items placed randomly, it is important to coat each one carefully.
When you have no brush, or for small fruits and the like, dipping them directly into the nappage is also effective. In this case, too, lightly shake off excess material before placing them.
Temperature Control and Timing
Controlling the temperature of glazing materials is the key to a beautiful finish. For nappage that requires heating, add water equal to 20-30% of the amount used, bring it to a boil over low heat, and dissolve it completely into a liquid state before use.
As it cools, it begins to set and becomes hard to apply thinly and cleanly, so it needs to be reheated to return it to a liquid state. When using only a small amount, a microwave is convenient.
The timing of application is also important; doing it when the wagashi has cooled to a moderate temperature lets the sheen set evenly. Too hot and the material runs off; too cold and it sets and becomes hard to apply.
Storage Methods and Maintaining the Sheen
To make the sheen last, proper storage is essential. Store glazed wagashi wrapped in plastic wrap or in an airtight container to prevent drying.
When storing in a refrigerator or freezer, drying progresses easily, so it is important to wrap them firmly in plastic wrap. However, if you have used a nappage that requires refrigerated storage, be sure to keep it in the refrigerator.
Leftover glazing material that has been used once can be reused if stored properly. Store it separately from unused material and use it up promptly to maintain quality.
Conclusion: Achieving a Beautiful Sheen
The sheen of wagashi comes from a combination of the right choice of raw materials and skilled technique. It is important to understand the characteristics of each raw material, such as mizuame, agar, kuzu powder, and reduced starch syrup, and to use them selectively according to the application.
From brushing technique to temperature control, timing, and storage methods, taking care with every step of the process lets you achieve a beautiful, professional-quality finish.
At Minoyo, we carry hon-kuzu,Zuiichi Hon-kuzu, thread agar, powdered agar, and a wide range of other high-quality raw materials needed for glazing. Offered in large commercial packages, they let you obtain the raw materials needed for wagashi production in one stop.
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Minoyo is a specialty store for Kyoto confectionery raw materials based in Kyoto. For the raw materials covered in this article, we offer proposals close to the realities of wagashi production, including commercial procurement, trial samples, and consultation on lots and specifications.
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