Matsu Yokan
Matsu Yokan (松羊羹) is a traditional Japanese winter confection, specifically a type of yokan made with sweet red bean paste (anko) and flavored with pine needle extract. It is typically enjoyed as a warm, comforting dessert during the colder months, often served alongside tea.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
Matsu Yokan is primarily a high-carbohydrate food due to its main ingredients of sweet bean paste and sugar, providing a quick source of energy. A typical serving offers minimal protein and fat, with key nutrients including iron and potassium from the red beans.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 260 kcal |
| Protein | 5 g |
| Carbs | 55 g |
| Fat | 0.5 g |
| Fiber | 4 g |
| Sugar | 40 g |
| Sodium | 10 mg |
| Iron | 1.5 mg |
| Potassium | 200 mg |
| Magnesium | 30 mg |
| Phosphorus | 50 mg |
| Manganese | 0.3 mg |
| Copper | 0.1 mg |
| Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) | 0.05 mg |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.04 mg |
Per 1 piece (100 g) · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
The unique addition of pine needle extract not only imparts a distinctive, refreshing aroma and a subtle green hue but also connects the dessert to the Japanese aesthetic of appreciating seasonal flavors, symbolizing resilience and longevity in winter.
