Sweet Red Bean Paste (Tsubuan and Koshian)

Steps

1. Gather all the ingredients.

2. Rinse 7 oz azuki beans and discard any broken beans. Drain.

3. Transfer the beans to a large pot and enough water to cover them by 1–2 inches.

4. Place the pot on the stove and bring it to a boil over medium-high heat.

5. Once boiling, drain the beans in a fine-mesh sieve. Return the beans to the same pot.

6. Add more water to the pot to cover the beans by 1–2 inches.

7. Bring it to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, put an otoshibuta (drop lid) on top of the beans. Reduce the heat to medium low and keep it simmering for the next 1–1½ hours. Tip: The otoshibuta will prevent the beans from dancing around too much. Learn how to make it yourself or find one on Amazon and JOC Goods.

8. Some of the liquid will evaporate, so add more water to keep the beans covered, as needed. After 1 hour, check if the beans are cooked. Pick up a bean and mash it with your fingers. When it mashes easily, it‘s done.

9. Drain the cooked azuki beans in a sieve.

10. Return the beans to the same pot. Turn the heat to medium low and add half of the ¾ cup sugar.

11. Mix well. Once the sugar has dissolved, add the rest of the sugar.

12. Mix well, stirring constantly. Then, add ½ tsp Diamond Crystal kosher salt and stir.

13. If you plan to use the red beans for Zenzai (Oshiruko), you can use it right away. If you prefer a thicker version, reduce the soup further.

14. Let the moisture evaporate. When you can draw a line on the bottom of the pot with your spatula, turn off the heat. Don‘t worry if the anko is still loose; it will continue to thicken as it cools. Transfer it to a flat baking sheet to cool completely. The tsubuan is now ready to use in Japanese sweets like Daifuku Mochi, Anpan, Red Bean Pancakes, and Matcha Zenzai (Red Bean Soup). Scroll down to see how to store it.

15. Reserve some of the cooking liquid. Then, drain the azuki beans in a sieve.

16. Transfer the beans to a food processor. Run the food processor until the beans become a fine paste. If necessary, add 1–2 Tbsp cooking liquid to help it purée smoothly.

17. Transfer the fine paste back into the same cooking pot. Turn the heat to medium low and add half of the ¾ cup sugar.

18. Mix well. Once the sugar has dissolved, add the rest of the sugar.

19. Let the moisture evaporate, stirring constantly. Add ½ tsp Diamond Crystal kosher salt and continue to stir.

20. When you can draw a line on the bottom of the pot with your spatula, turn off the heat. Don‘t worry if the anko is still loose; it will continue to thicken as it cools. Transfer the anko to a flat baking sheet and cool completely. The koshian is now ready to use in Japanese sweets like Strawberry Mochi (Ichigo Daifuku), Sakura Mochi, Manju, and Mizu Yokan.

21. Transfer the anko to an airtight container, cool, and store in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days or in the freezer for up to 2 months. You can also divide and wrap 100 g portions in plastic film and store in a freezer bag. When you’re ready to use it, defrost it in the refrigerator overnight. Tip: Compared to store-bought red bean paste, homemade anko uses less sugar and therefore doesn‘t keep as long.