
Anmitsu
is a
Japanese dessert that has been popular for many decades.
It is made of small cubes of
agar, a white translucent jelly made from
seaweed, served in a bowl with sweet
azuki bean paste or ''
anko'' (the ''an'' part of ''anmitsu''), boiled
peas, often ''
gyūhi'' and a variety of
fruits such as
peach slices, ''
mikan'', pieces of
pineapples, and
cherries. The anmitsu usually comes with a small pot of sweet black syrup, or ''mitsu'' (the ''mitsu'' part of ''anmitsu'') which one pours onto the jelly before eating. Anmitsu is usually eaten with a spoon and fork.
A few variations on this dessert exist.
Mitsumame is anmitsu without bean paste, the ''mame'' meaning the peas that are served with the syrup and anko instead. Cream anmitsu is anmitsu with
ice cream on top.
Shiratama dango are also commonly used as toppings.