Kuzuyu

Kuzuyu (葛湯) is a sweet Japanese beverage produced by adding arrowroot flour to hot water. It has a thick honey-like texture, and in color it appears pale and somewhat translucent. It is served in a mug or tea bowl.

Name

In Japanese, "Kuzu" (葛) is the word for "kudzu" also known as "arrowroot" [ [http://www.animelab.com/anime.manga/dictionary/ku/4120/40 Animelab.com: Japanese -> English Dictionary ] ] . "Yu" (湯) means “hot water” [ [http://www.manythings.org/kanji/d/6e6f.htm Japanese Kanji - 湯 hot water トウ ゆ ] ] [http://www.whiteknightlogic.net/kanjidb/kanji_pages/kc5f2.php KanjiDB: 湯 - hot water ] ] . In English the name is sometimes translated as Kudzu Starch Gruel [ [http://www.animelab.com/anime.manga/dictionary/ku/4160/40 Animelab.com: Japanese -> English Dictionary ] ] [ [http://www.websters-online-dictionary.org/ku/kudzu.html Kudzu ] ] or Arrowroot Tea.

Composition

Arrowroot flour, or "Kuzuko" (葛粉), is mixed into hot water and stirred until thick to produce Kuzuyu. Arrowroot is a powerful thickening agent [ [http://www.healthrecipes.com/arrowroot.htm Arrowroot Powder Is A Thickening Agent ] ] and quickly alters the water’s texture. Though lacking fragrance and taste in its powder form, the arrowroot takes on a unique sweet flavor when dissolved in the hot water. While it is not particularly nutritious, some believe it to have a positive effect on upset stomachs [ [http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-arrowroot.htm What is Arrowroot? ] ] .

Related Topics

* Arrowroot
* Kudzu

References