We may not know much about Japanese cuisine, except for sushi, which has become present on the menus of restaurant choices in Arab countries. ".

And followers are now accepting many of the "ramen" or noodles with various flavors, even if it is mixed with Korean, Japanese and Chinese culture for many.

However, Japanese cuisine has another aspect that has attracted many recently in Arab countries, especially after the emergence of the Japanese fragile cake, which prompts us to search for more about Japanese sweets.

The popularity of Japanese cakes

Surprisingly, Japanese cakes are of foreign origin.

It was only known to the Japanese in the past few centuries, when the country did not open its borders internationally until after the Edo period.

But all this time, the Japanese were making cakes in different ways than what is currently common in the market.

In general, the Japanese brittle cake in its current form has become the most popular in cooking clips on YouTube and social media platforms, as it is more creamy and less sweet than Western cakes, because the Japanese do not tend to enjoy excessive sweetness like eastern and western sweets.

The Japanese brittle cake has its origins in Nagasaki, a commercial port city.

Despite the ban on trade during the Edo period in the 17th century, only the port of Dejima in Nagasaki was open to foreign imports.

The port became the birthplace of many of the European products now found in Japan, including sweets.

The Portuguese brought this fluffy cake to Japan in the 16th century, but the Japanese cake called castella has its origins in the Netherlands.

It was presented to the locals in Japan as castle bread.

The simplicity of its taste and ingredients, as well as its long shelf life, undoubtedly made it popular among the Japanese.

What are the most famous pastries in Japan?

traditional wagashi dessert

Wagashi is a traditional Japanese dessert.

Unlike Western sweets, they are not sweet and do not contain a large amount of sugar.

They are usually full of red beans, fruits and some nuts, yet give you a very different and unique "sweet" taste.

Daifuku dessert

Daifuku is one of the most famous Japanese sweets, known by many as mochi, but in fact mochi is another type of dessert made from rice flour, while rice flour is just one of the components of the daifuku, or only the outside of it.

The most common daifuku is stuffed with red beans, but has strawberry-like flavors.

dango candy

They are rice flour balls.

Served suspended on a skewer, it comes in a blend of flavors such as green tea, sakura pink tea, and red anko tea.

Japanese dango candy (pixabi)

Namagashi candy

One of the most distinctive Japanese sweets, it is very popular at tea parties.

Namagashi is made from rice flour, and depending on its shape and flavour, it reflects the season in which it was made.

It takes years for confectioners making namagache to learn and refine the technique of making these classic sweets.

mango candy

It is a type of steamed bun made of flour, rice and fermented wheat starch, with a filling of red bean, matcha or orange.