1.
sweetened beans; sugar-coated beans
A traditional Japanese confection made by simmering beans (typically azuki, kidney beans, or other varieties) in sugar syrup and then coating them with crystallized sugar.
甘納豆をお茶請けにする。
To have sweetened beans as a tea snack.
祖母は甘納豆が大好きだ。
My grandmother loves sweetened beans.
北海道では赤飯に甘納豆を入れる地域がある。
In Hokkaido, there are areas where sweetened beans are added to sekihan (red rice).
Composed of 甘 (sweet) + 納豆 (natto). Despite sharing the name 納豆, this confection has no relation to fermented soybeans. The name is thought to come from the similar appearance of the sugar-dusted beans to 納豆.
VARIETIES:
- 小豆の甘納豆: azuki bean version (most common)
- 金時豆の甘納豆: kidney bean version
- 黒豆の甘納豆: black bean version
CULTURAL NOTE:
In 北海道, 甘納豆 is famously used instead of 小豆 in 赤飯 (celebratory red rice), creating a sweeter version that surprises visitors from other regions.
RELATED TERMS:
- 和菓子: Japanese confections — the broader category
- 納豆: fermented soybeans — unrelated despite the shared name
- 煮豆: simmered beans — a savory preparation of beans