Arare (food) facts for kids
Hina-arare, a variety of arare
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| Type | Rice cracker |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | Japan |
| Main ingredients | Glutinous rice, soy sauce |
| Variations | Olive no Hana |
Arare (あられ, which is named after graupel "snow pellets") is a small, tasty Japanese cracker. It's made from a special type of rice called glutinous rice and gets its flavor from soy sauce. The word "arare" means "snow pellets" in Japanese, because many arare crackers look like tiny hailstones!
Arare crackers are different from another Japanese cracker called senbei mainly because of their size and shape. Arare are usually much smaller. In Hawaii, where many Japanese people moved long ago, arare is also known as kakimochi or mochi crunch. It was first brought to Hawaii in the 1900s.
Different Kinds of Arare
There are many different sizes, colors, and shapes of arare crackers. Some are sweet, while others are savory (salty or spicy).
- Norimaki Arare: One type is called norimaki arare. "Nori" means edible seaweed, and "maki" means roll. So, this arare is wrapped with dried nori seaweed.
- Kaki no Tane: Another popular type is kaki no tane (柿の種). Its name means "persimmon seed" because it looks like the seed of a persimmon fruit.
- Kakipī: Kaki no tane are often sold mixed with peanuts. This mix is called kakipī (かきピー). It's a very popular snack to eat with Japanese beer.
Arare in Japanese Culture
Japanese people often eat arare to celebrate the Doll Festival. This festival is also known as Girls' Day in Japan and happens every year on March 3.
The arare made for the Doll Festival are very colorful. You can find them in pink, yellow, white, brown, and light green. While you can buy regular arare all year, these special colorful ones are usually only available from January to March, leading up to the festival.
Arare in Hawaii
Arare was brought to the U.S. by Japanese immigrants who came to Hawaii to work on plantations in the early 1900s. In Hawaii, this snack is often called kakimochi (which means fried rice paste).
In Hawaii, it's popular to mix arare with popcorn. Some people also add furikake, which is a dry seasoning for rice. A popular snack called "Hurricane popcorn" includes both arare and furikake mixed with popcorn. Another popular type in Hawaii is li hing arare, which has a sweet, sour, and salty flavor.
See also
In Spanish: Arare (comida) para niños
