Author: Kaneya Editor: Paskach、Hou - Oct 26, 2024
Konnyaku Jelly: The Perfect Blend of Taste and Health
Konjac, or konnyaku, a traditional Japanese food, is becoming more popular, especially in The United States and Europe, due to the trend toward health consciousness in recent years. This article introduces the health benefits of konjac.
What is Konjac Jelly?
Konjac jelly is an elastic jelly made by mixing konjac powder or refined dietary fiber instead of gelatin with fruit juice and other ingredients. It has a fresh taste that can be easily enjoyed as a dessert.Originally, konjac is mainly made from glucomannan, dietary fiber, which is obtained by refining konjac powder made from the tuber of a taro plant called konjac potato. There are many types of processed konjac products, and you are sure to enjoy them
Traditional Japanese Konnyaku
The Various Types of Konjac
Konjac is a processed food made mainly from glucomannan, which is produced from the tuber of the konjac potato. The types are divided into the following categories according to their molding and texture. The difference in color is due to the main ingredient. White konjac is made from powdered konjac potato, but the black konjac is mixed with seaweed powder such as hijiki.
1. Sheet Konjac: Formed into sheets, it is used in simmered and stir-fried dishes. It is chewy and easy to soak up the flavor.
2. Ball Konjac: Boiled into ball-shaped pieces, it is used for stewed dishes such as oden. Some konjac is added with red pepper, sesame seeds and seaweed.
3. Sashimi Konjac: Served raw, moist, and thinly sliced. It has a unique texture and can be enjoyed with soy sauce or wasabi, just like real sashimi!
4. Thread Konjac (Shirataki): Thin strings of konjac that quickly absorb flavor and are suitable for sukiyaki and salads.
5. Granulated Konjac: Tiny, granular, chewy konjac that can be added to rice or soup to bulk it up.
Why is Konjac Jelly Low-calorie?
Konjac jelly generally has no animal ingredients, is low in calories, and is rich in dietary fiber and calcium, as compared to ordinary gelatin-based jellies. It also has a high-water content and elastic texture, so chewing it well will make you feel full, so you can fill up on just konjac jelly as a result.
Konjac Jelly is Good for You!
Konjac jelly contains mainly soluble fiber. Its water retention and gelatinous nature envelopes other nutrients, which move slowly and are expelled while cleaning out the inside of the body. As well as suppressing the increase in GI value, it also serves as feed for good bacteria such as lactobacilli and bifidobacteria, improving the intestinal environment and relieving constipation.
Conclusion
Konjac jelly contains soluble dietary fiber, which has many beneficial effects on the body, such as moderating the absorption of carbohydrates, calming the rise in blood sugar levels, and regulating the intestinal environment. In addition, it is flavorful, fragrant, and vividly colored with fresh Japanese fruits, making it easy and enjoyable to eat as a snack and even when you have not much of an appetite. You are sure to find konjac as a tasty yet effective new healthy food choice!
Unique way of eating KitKats
KitKat gets some uniquely Japanese promotion. KitKat is known as a good-luck charm for students preparing for entrance exams, as the Japanese pronunciation of the word ‘KitKat’ means ‘surely win’. In Japan, junior and senior high school students face entrance exams in January and February. Therefore, KitKat has created a spring-like cherry blossom package (the blooming of cherry blossoms implies that the dreams will come true) to cheer up the students and their families, teachers, and friends who are supporting them. Messages can even be written on the back of the package.
KitKat's Unique Outer Packaging
KitKat is generally packaged in individual mini bars in Japan, but the outside bag also displays innovation and development. Previously, the outer bag was made of plastic, but from late September 2019, the outside bag of the large bag type KitKats was replaced by a paper package to help reduce plastic waste. Although there were many difficulties in all aspects of production and manufacturing before commercialization, a way was found to convey KitKat's brand value of Passing on our Wishes even in the new paper packaging. The Origami Paper Crane was adopted as the most Japanese symbol for conveying wishes. The packaging, which had previously only been discarded, is now replaced by paper, and the paper bag is used to fold paper cranes, turning it into a communication tool that delivers meaningful messages. Enjoy the taste of Japan and get in touch with traditional Japanese culture through the packaging!
KitKat Arranged Recipes
KitKat has delicious tastes, but its crispy texture and bright color can also be used as a topping for ice cream or cake.
Here we introduce Oshi-Cake, which is made to celebrate the birthday of one’s favorite person or character, and is popular among young people in Japan, mainly on SNS.
"Oshi" refers to your favorite idols, entertainers, and characters from games, anime, or real-life. People enjoy going to live performances and shopping for goods related to their “oshi”.
Through such activities, it is possible to make friends who like the same people and characters, and this is becoming a part of Japanese culture.
KitKat comes in various flavors and colors, so you can easily make a special cake at home with just a little extra decorating!
Conclusion
KitKat is loved by a wide range of generations in Japan for three main reasons.
The first is to create souvenirs for tourists, collaborating with local ingredients and traditional specialties.
The second is packaging. Various encouraging messages and popular characters are printed on the front. Also, there is a space on the back where you can write a message of encouragement or appreciation, and if you give it to a colleague or friend, it will certainly improve communication. In Japan, we have a custom of giving small sweets to show our gratitude to those who help us. The mini bar and individual packaging make it easy to express your feelings.
The third is promotion. The paper package symbolizes "Orizuru" (paper crane), and the play on words meaning "surely win" is related to Japanese traditions and seasonal events and is familiar to most people, from everyday life to special occasions.
Therefore, KitKat is closely related to the unique Japanese way of eating and gift-giving culture, so you can not only simply eat it but also enjoy the experience as well. Would you like to taste Japanese culture with KitKat?
KitKat is loved by a wide range of generations in Japan for three main reasons. The first is to create souvenirs for tourists, collaborating with local ingredients and traditional specialties. The second is packaging. Various encouraging messages and popular characters are printed on the front. Also, there is a space on the back where you can write a message of encouragement or appreciation, and if you give it to a colleague or friend, it will certainly improve communication. In Japan, we have a custom of giving small sweets to show our gratitude to those who help us. The mini bar and individual packaging make it easy to express your feelings. The third is promotion. The paper package symbolizes "Orizuru" (paper crane), and the play on words meaning "surely win" is related to Japanese traditions and seasonal events and is familiar to most people, from everyday life to special occasions. Therefore, KitKat is closely related to the unique Japanese way of eating and gift-giving culture, so you can not only simply eat it but also enjoy the experience as well. Would you like to taste Japanese culture with KitKat?
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