world of Japanese bread

Did you know that “Anpan” and “Curry-pan” were invented in Japan?

This scroll describes various kinds of Japanese bread.

Let’s take a look at the “World of Japanese Bread!”

Bread was originally brought to Japan in the 16th century by Portuguese missionaries.
The word “pan” comes from Portuguese “pao,”
and was originally from Latin “pan.”
Japanese people at the time knew very little about bread.

However, early in the Meiji period (1868-1912),
when “an-pan” was invented, bread began to become popular.

Many people began to eat bread during World War One.

However, during World War Two, ingredients were in short supply,
and bread began to disappear from Japan.

After World War Two, America sent relief provisions,
and various kinds of bread began to reappear in Japan.

Below, various kinds of Japanese bread are introduced.
You may be familiar with the names of Japanese bread, but you may not know the history.
We would be delighted if you find this background informative and interesting.

Come let’s explore the uniqueness of Japanese bread!

Anpan virtually represents Japanese bread.
It was invented at an old shop called Kimura-ya, which is still in operation today.

Anpan contains Anko, which is jam that is made from adzuki beans.
There are many kinds of Anko in Anpan, including Matcha paste and green pea paste.

Jam-pan was invented at Kimura-ya in the late Meiji Period (1868-1912),
the same shop where Anpan made its debut.

Jam-pan is shaped like a half moon. It contains jam instead of Anko.
There are many kinds of Jam-pan, including blueberry and orange.
Originally, Jam-pan used apricot jam.
Now, however, many different kinds of jam are used, including apple and strawberry.

Cream-pan contains sweet cream instead of Anko.
Cream-pan was invented at a shop called Nakamura-ya, a rival of Kimura-ya.

Cream-pan looks like a fist. Cream-pan uses many different kinds of cream.
The taste changes dramatically, for example, by using fresh cream. The varieties are infinite.

[ Let’s have tea time! ]

Curry-pan is fried bread with curry roux inside.
Curry-pan was created in a store called “Yoshoku-pan,” or “Western Bread,”
in Morishita Meikado in Tokyo.

Curry-pan uses many kinds of curry roux.
There are different levels of spiciness, so anyone from kids to adults can enjoy it.

Melon-pan looks like muskmelon (not fruit melon).
The outside is hard like a cookie, and the inside is soft.
It has a sweet flavor and interesting texture (It doesn’t taste like melon).

It’s precise origin is unknown, but it is said to have existed at the same time as Anpan,
in the Taisho Period (1912-1926).
Much loved by Japanese, Melon-pan often appears in Japanese school lunches.