Tsubushi an – Sweet Bean Paste for Japanese Sweets

May 28, 2023May 28, 20230 6

Sweet and smooth Tsubushi an - Sweet Bean Paste for Japanese Sweets

by The Chefin Dessert

Prep

10 min + overnight soaking

Cook

1 hour

Ready In

1 hour, 10 min

Level

Easy

Rating

Ingredients

	300 g azuki beans
	350 -420 g sugar
	6 -12 g salt

Nutrision Information

Servings Per Recipe

Calories

175

Sugar

35g

Fat

0.4g

Tsubushi an is a sweet bean paste that is widely used in Japanese desserts, such as Taiyaki, Dango, and Wagashi. It is made by cooking azuki beans until soft and mashing them with sugar to make a smooth and sweet paste. The texture of the paste is what sets it apart from other bean pastes. It's not as smooth as other bean pastes, but it is still silky and soft, making it ideal for use in a variety of sweets. Tsubushi an is also popular because it can be used as a vegetarian alternative to gelatin in desserts like agar jelly.

Instructions

1.	Rinse and soak the azuki beans overnight in water.
2.	Drain the water and rinse the beans again.
3.	In a large pot, add the beans and fill it with enough water to cover the beans. Bring to a boil and cook for about 30 minutes.
4.	Turn off heat and strain the beans in a sieve.
5.	In a clean pot, add the strained beans and again fill with water to cover the beans. Bring to a boil on high heat.
6.	Lower the heat once the water starts boiling and simmer for 30 minutes, or until the beans become soft.
7.	Turn off heat and strain the beans in a sieve again to separate the liquid from the beans.
8.	In a pot, add the bean mixture, sugar and salt.
9.	Cook over medium heat while stirring until the mixture thickens and becomes smooth.
10.	Turn off heat and let the mixture cool.

PROS

Tsubushi an is a versatile dessert ingredient that can be used in a variety of Japanese sweets.

The sweet bean paste has a smooth texture and a rich, sweet flavor, making it a delicious addition to any dessert.

CONS

The recipe has a high sugar content, which may not be suitable for individuals with diabetes or people who follow a low sugar diet.

HEALTH & BENEFITS

Azuki beans are loaded with nutrients such as fiber, protein, vitamins, and minerals like manganese, magnesium, iron, and potassium.
The beans also provide numerous health benefits like reducing blood pressure, cholesterol, and preventing heart diseases.