Arare (food)

Arare is a type of bite-sized Japanese cracker made from glutinous rice and flavored with soy sauce. The small, round or star-shaped crackers are traditionally eaten during the Hanami festival and are also popular as a snack with Sake.

History

Arare was first made in Japan during the Edo period, a time when many of Japan's most famous snacks were first introduced. The crackers were originally made by hand, but today most are made by machines.

Production

Arare is made by soaking glutinous rice in water, then grinding it into a paste. The paste is shaped into small, round or star-shaped pieces, then dried. Once dry, the pieces are baked or fried until they puff up. The puffed crackers are then typically brushed with a mixture of soy sauce and sugar, then baked again until they are crispy.

Varieties

There are many different varieties of arare, some of which include:

• Kaki no tane: Also known as "persimmon seeds," these are small, crescent-shaped crackers that are often mixed with peanuts.
• Sakura Arare: These are pink, cherry blossom-shaped crackers that are often eaten during the spring.
• Wasabi Arare: These are round crackers flavored with wasabi.

Serving

Arare is often served as a snack with drinks, particularly with sake. It is also commonly included in Bento boxes, and can be used as a topping for Rice dishes.

See also

• Japanese cuisine
• Rice cracker
• Senbei