Simmered beans, are dried beans, slowly cooked to perfection and then sweetened. At Seizaemon, we like to think of these sweet beans as a traditional Japanese confectionary.

The most popular simmered bean is the black bean, traditionally eaten at New Year’s. Black bean in Japanese is “kuro-mame”, “mame" meaning bean. Mame however can also mean “diligence, sincerity, honesty”, all of which are considered virtues in Japanese culture. Because of this auspicious connotation, the simmered black bean became a popular delicacy eaten at New Year’s celebratory meals.

All kinds of beans are grown all over Japan and we have taken the time to look for what we consider the best flavored beans. We carefully and slowly simmer our beans, to preserve their texture, and for a beautiful finish. We do not use chemicals to enhance flavors or quicken the cooking process.

Simmered beans can be enjoyed on their own, or are often served as a palate cleanser during a meal. The sweet beans can also be used like jam as a topping for ice cream or yoghurt. Dainagon, chunky bean paste is delicious spread on buttered toast. We hope you will try and enjoy this traditional Japanese confectionary.