Morokoshi Sweets

もろこし

Photos by Tohoku Digital Archive

Historical Background

There are various theories but it is believed to have originated around the first half of the 18th century during the mid-Edo period. Throughout various theories, the common story is that Morokoshi was made for the sake of the Samurai Lord, Satake, who governed Akita, and he liked the sweet and named it 諸越 since the Samurai Lord complimented the sweet, “諸々の菓子を越したる味, Flavor that surpasses all other pastries.” Akita Morokoshi has used Azuki powder since Azuki was a specialty of Akita then, which is different from the rice flour used in other traditional confectionarys called 落雁/Rakugan. Some companies have been modernizing the Morokoshi in different styles, such as raw-morokoshi, morokoshi with cute designs and new flavors, etc.

Characteristics

Morokoshi is Akita’s traditional Japanese confectionery made of pressed sugar molded into various shapes using Azuki powder (Red bean powder).
Using sugar and Azuki powder, the taste is sweet but not too sweet; the gentle sweetness matches with teas where Morokoshi is often served as a tea confection.
As one of the Akita souvenirs, it is commonly served at Ryokan-Hotels, and other accommodations throughout Akita as a welcome confection as well as a tea confection.
Traditional style Morokoshi lasts a long time, usually more than 180 days! Therefore it is good as a sweet to welcome visitors at any time, good as a gift, even good for sending it overseas!
Some Morokoshi has designs on it, such as Akita’s famous festivals, attractions, and foods such as the Kanto festival, Namahage, Akita Dogs, Akita Butterbur, Akita Cedar, and more!
Recently, in addition to the traditional style, many new types of Morokoshi have been sold around Akita. Such as…
- Salt-Morokoshi using salt from the Oga Peninsula
- Chocolate flavored Morokoshi
- Raw Morokoshi: a soft, non-baked Morokoshi
- New designs: shape, engraving
- Even a cookie-type Morokoshi!

(Flower-shaped Morokoshi given as a welcome gift along with green tea)

Nama Morokoshi

Nama Morokoshi is a soft and moistured morokoshi. The taste is relatively similar to morokoshi, and has shorter expiration date.

To know more!

Major Morokoshi shops

元祖秋田諸越本舗杉山壽山堂: Sugiyama-Jyusando: Origin of Morokoshi
唐土庵:Morokoshian; Modern style
斉藤製菓[秋田市内/山王/お土産・もろこし]: Saito Seika: traditional, souvenirs

YouTube Videos

(English subtitles)

(Japanese only)

More information

なんも大学｜「もろこし」って、こうして作られる on Vimeo: How to make Morokoshi (Japanese only)

How to purchase

Given that it is an option of お土産/Omiyage, one can usually find it at stores at Akita Station and supermarkets… Anywhere in Akita! There are quite a few options to choose from in these stores - from matcha-flavored Morokoshi to なまはげ/Namahage Morokoshi. Prices also vary (for example, the Namahage Morokoshi is more expensive than the Matcha Morokoshi); therefore, it should be affordable to most people.

It is also possible to find them outside the station, in companies within Akita Prefecture. 斎藤製菓（Saito confectionery), one of the main Morokoshi producers in Akita City, provides takeaway services. It is possible to arrive there from Akita Station by bus, taking the Akita Line (Bound for Honjo Office) at the West Exit and getting off the bus stop called “Hello Work Akita”, near Hotel Komachi and Round One. From the bus stop, it is a 5-minute walk to the takeaway shop.

斎藤製菓（Saito confectionery) address: 2 Chome-12-4 Barajima, Akita, 010-0065

Outside of Akita City, 唐土庵/Morokoshian has a few units in Kakunodate/Semboku, one of which is located right in front of JR Kakunodate Station. From Akita Station, the quickest route by public transport is the Shinkansen. From Akita station, you get off at Kakunodate station in less than one hour.

For a cheaper but longer alternative, it is possible to go via JR Ou Line to JR Ōmagari Station, then transfer to the JR Tazawako Line and get off at Kakunodate Station. From the station to the shop, it only takes about one minute.

Kakunodate-ekimae Store address: Kamisugazawa-402-3 Kakunodatemachi, Semboku, Akita 014-0369

The Akita Furusato Mura has a bunch of omiyage shops, and one of the sections is dedicated to Morokoshi. From Yokote station, there is a bus line called Asahigaoka Line that stops right in front of Furusato Village. From Akita Station, take the JR Ou Line to Yokote and follow the same route above.

Akita Furusato Mura address: Tomigasawa-62-46 Akasaka, Yokote, Akita 013-0064

People who are not living in Japan can also buy Morokoshi in online shops from Akita. 杉山壽山堂/Sugiyama Jyusando provides a 海外/overseas option in their online shop (available here). Here are instructions for foreigners who want to buy a product from their website.

(Only the fields highlighted in red are mandatory)

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