Classic Agar-Agar Gelatin in Syrup

A traditional summertime sweet, mitsumame brings back childhood memories of a hot and humid August day in Tokyo—bright blue sky, dazzling sunshine, continuous singing of cicadas, a cotton sundress, a straw hat, plastic sandals, and a bowl of chilled mitsumame.

Even though the dominant ingredient used in this sweet is cubes of agar-agar gelatin, mitsumame literally means “peas in sugar syrup.” The peas are a red variety with a naturally sweet and nutty flavor. Co