Tsubushi An Sweet Bean Paste For Japanese Sweets Recipe

Make authentic Tsubushi An, a luscious and slightly textured sweet bean paste perfect for filling your favorite Japanese treats like daifuku or dorayaki! This recipe guides you through the process of cooking azuki beans to perfection, achieving that ideal balance of sweetness and a subtle bean texture. Learn the secrets to creating a shiny, smooth paste that elevates your Japanese confectionery to the next level.

Prep Time 60 mins
Cook Time 648 mins
Calories 93.7 kcal
Protein 4g
Rating 2.5 (2 Reviews)
Tsubushi An Sweet Bean Paste For Japanese Sweets 29

Recipe Actions

Share this recipe:

Recipe Author

Chef Forktionary, author of this recipe

Recipe adapted from Food.com. Standardized by Forktionary.

Ingredients for Tsubushi An Sweet Bean Paste For Japanese Sweets

  • 2 cups (250g) dried azuki beans
  • 200g granulated sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Cook Smarter with Sous, Your Kitchen Companion

Missing an ingredient for this Tsubushi An Sweet Bean Paste For Japanese Sweets? Need a perfect wine pairing or a healthy side dish idea? Don't guess—ask Sous! Your AI-powered sous-chef is ready to help you swap ingredients, adjust serving sizes, and discover flavor tips in seconds.

How to Make Tsubushi An Sweet Bean Paste For Japanese Sweets

  1. Rinse 2 cups (250g) dried azuki beans thoroughly under cold water.
  2. Soak the beans in a large bowl with plenty of water for at least 7-8 hours, or preferably overnight.
  3. Drain the soaking water and transfer the beans to a large, heavy-bottomed pot. Add enough water to cover the beans by 3cm (approximately 1.2 inches).
  4. Bring the pot to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for approximately 1-2 hours, or until the beans are easily mashed between your fingers. Stir occasionally to prevent burning.
  5. Once the beans are tender, drain them in a colander lined with a cheesecloth or fine-mesh sieve. Rinse the beans briefly under cold water to remove any excess starch.
  6. Return about one cup of the cooked beans to the pot.
  7. Add 1/2 cup (100g) of granulated sugar. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring constantly until the sugar dissolves and is fully incorporated into the beans.
  8. Gradually add the remaining cooked beans to the pot, along with the remaining sugar (100g), stirring continuously until a shiny, smooth paste forms. Adjust the amount of sugar to your desired sweetness.
  9. Add 1/4 teaspoon of salt during the last few minutes of cooking.
  10. Mash some of the beans while cooking if you prefer a smoother texture, but leave some beans whole for the characteristic Tsubushi An texture.
  11. Remove from heat. Transfer the bean paste to a large plate to cool. The paste will continue to thicken as it cools.
  12. Once cool, store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will keep well for several days or can be frozen for longer storage.

Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)

Sodium

3 g

Sugar

55g

Fat

0g

Carbs

7g