Naniwaya’s Original Kaki no Tane Rice Cracker
Senbei (煎餅), Okaki (おかき), and Arare (あられ) are three representative types of traditional Japanese rice crackers, among which Senbei is the most common.
Senbei traditionally consists of non-glutinous rice called Uruchi Mai (うるち米) with a round shape, seasoned with soy sauce or salt, but modern varieties come in various shapes and flavors.
Kaki no Tane (柿の種)
When we think of modern Senbei, what comes to many people’s minds would be Kaki no Tane (柿の種), also known as Kameda Crisps outside of Japan.
Shaped like a crescent, Kaki no Tane or Kakipi is a little spicy, savory orange-colored rice cracker brushed with soy sauce, spiced with red chili pepper, and baked.
It is a standard Otsumami, often eaten with alcoholic drinks, and goes perfectly with beer.
Naniwaya Seika Ganso Kaki no Tane
As for history, Naniwaya Seika (浪花屋製菓), a Niigata, Nagaoka-based confectionery company, accidentally created it and introduced the snack into the market in 1925.
Today, Kaki no Tane has become one of Japan’s most loved rice crackers, and many food companies are producing it.
Although most of those products come in plastic bags, the mainstream was canned ones when I was small.
This time, I got the Kaki no Tane can (Amazon.co.jp) for the first time in a while. The tin contains 12 bags of Naniwaya’s original Kaki no Tane, and in its name, Ganso (元祖) means originator.
How to Open the Tin Can
The maker seals the tin can firmly with a removable lid to prevent moisture.
So let’s use something to lift it.
This time, I opened it with scissors.
Contents
First, a small folded leaflet and a sheet of inspection certificate show up.
Paper bags of Kaki no Tane crackers lie underneath them.
Taste
Naniwaya Seika’s original Kaki no Tane is not spicy but has a pleasant savory taste compared to its counterparts.
Ingredients
Based on the official site of Naniwaya, the ingredients used in these treats are
| Mochi-Gome glutinous rice, Non-glutinous rice, Starch, Soy sauce, Starch decomposition product, Salt, Reduced starch syrup, Flavoring, Red chili pepper, Modified starch, Seasoning (amino acid), Caramel pigment, Monascus color, Paprika pigment, Emulsifier (Partially including wheat, soybean, chicken, and mackerel) |
Where to Buy
If you are a Kameda Crisps lover, Naniwaya Seika’s Kaki no Tane is the thing for you because it is the original.
You can find the can at supermarkets and souvenir shops in Niigata or purchase it online, as I did.
