All About Japan

18 Awesome Recipes Using Pickled Sakura

Food & Drink Sweets Cherry Blossoms

Cherry trees, or sakura, are much beloved in Japan, and cherry blossoms are a classic Japanese ingredient, which not only has a very unique flavor but also adds beauty to dishes. This list of recipes with pickled cherry blossoms, or okazuke (桜花漬), includes traditional Japanese foods as well as contemporary Westernized recipes.

18. Sakura Tea

18. Sakura Tea

https://yunomi.us/files/2013/03/sakura-slider.jpg

Sakura tea is slightly salty and a very typical drink for celebrations such as weddings in Japan. The flower unfolds in the hot water and adds beauty to the elegant flavor of the cherry blossoms. Check out the recipe below!

17. Sakura Rice

17. Sakura Rice

http://www.kk-to-bu.co.jp/southhills/livesales/%E6%A1%9C%E3%81%94%E3%81%AF%E3%82%93/

Sakura rice is a very simple and easy-to-make recipe with pickled sakura. When cooked with rice, the salt of the pickled sakura emphasizes the beautiful flavor of the cherry blossoms. See the recipe below!

16. Sakura Mochi

16. Sakura Mochi

http://bebeloveokazu.com/2010/03/24/sakura-mochi/

Sakura mochi is a rice cake made of sweet rice. It is the classic recipe for pickled sakura, and you can have it pretty much everywhere in Japan during the cherry blossom season. Check out a great recipe below!

15. Sakura Yokan

15. Sakura Yokan

http://bohnenhase.blogspot.jp/2012/05/sakura-yokan.html

Sakura yokan is a kind of jelly also very nice in summer. This recipe is easy and quick to make, and the yokan tastes and looks fabulous. Impress your family and friends with the recipe below!

14. Sakura Anko Mushipan

14. Sakura Anko Mushipan

http://bohnenhase.blogspot.jp/2012/05/sakura-anko-mushi-pan.html

Sakura anko mushipan is a kind of Japanese-style muffin. Mushipan means steamed bread; it's fluffy and soft, and the flavors of anko bean paste and sakura form a nice combination of typical Japanese sweet ingredients.

13. Sakura Jelly

13. Sakura Jelly

http://hungerhunger.blogspot.jp/2011/10/sakura-jelly.html

This sakura jelly is almost like a painting. You can see sakura flowers in a clear jelly (made with the pink soaking liquid of the sakura), sitting on a base of dark cherry mousse and cherries. Wow!