I’m turning Japanese, I think I’m turning Japanese
I really think so
I am addicted to Japanese Peanuts.
If you never had them before, it is a peanut in a wheat dough coating and then dry roasted or baked. The crunchy covering is salty (soy) and slightly sweet, sometimes spicy.
I first found them here in San Diego at one of the Supermarkets that cater to the Mexican/American population.
Not at an Asian market?
No, because the Japanese Peanut, or as it is known in its country of origin, cacahuates Japonēs was created in Mexico.
During WWII, Japanese immigrants in Mexico were forced to live in either Mexico City or Guadalajara. One of those immigrants was Yoshigei Nakatani.
In 1943, he and Mexican wife Emma Ávila began making these treats in their La Merced neighborhood in Mexico City to make ends meet. They were a new variation of a similar snack Yoshi learned to make as an apprentice in a candy store in Japan.
Their popularity grew and the extended family later built a factory to meet the needs.
Now there are dozens of brands and flavor varieties and they can be easily found in many outlets in the States.
I will post a review soon of my favorites. I can tell you I do not like the ones with the shiny shell (baked vs dry roasted?), the crunch is not right.
So next time you are at a market get yourself some Japanese Peanuts and enjoy them a Tecate Roja or a Jarritos soda.
Salud.