Red bean ice cream is a delicious frozen dessert that originated in East and Southeast Asian countries like China, Japan, Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam. As someone who loves trying foods from different cultures, I was eager to get my hands on this Asian ice cream and see what all the fuss was about
In this article, I’ll walk you through what exactly red bean ice cream is, what makes it different from traditional ice cream, and most importantly – what does red bean ice cream taste like? Get ready to take a sweet journey through this unique frozen treat.
What is Red Bean Ice Cream?
Red bean ice cream, also known as Azuki ice cream, is a popular dessert made from azuki beans (also called red beans or adzuki beans). The beans are boiled until soft, then blended into a coarse paste and sweetened with sugar before being used as the main ingredient in ice cream.
Unlike regular vanilla or chocolate ice cream which is made from dairy red bean ice cream is dairy-free. The base is entirely plant-based, deriving its creamy texture from the starchiness of the azuki beans.
The azuki beans themselves have an earthy, nutty, and subtly sweet flavor When blended into ice cream, they create a dessert with a smooth, rich texture punctuated by tiny chunks of whole azuki beans scattered throughout.
Red bean ice cream is beloved for its stunning color – a vivid fuchsia pink hue coming from the red skins of the azuki beans. When scooped into a cone or dish, it looks almost like pink cotton candy!
The History of Red Bean Ice Cream
While red bean ice cream may seem unusual to many Westerners, it has a long and illustrious history in East and Southeast Asian cuisine.
Red beans have been used in Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Vietnamese desserts for centuries. Called “hóngdòu” in Chinese, “azuki” in Japanese, and “pat” in Korean, red beans are a staple ingredient in traditional Asian confections.
Red bean paste is commonly used to fill pastries like Chinese mooncakes, Japanese daifuku mochi, and Korean songpyeon rice cakes. Red bean soups and porridges are also eaten as comforting desserts.
It’s unknown exactly when red beans started being used in frozen desserts, but early ice cream-like treats have existed in China since at least the Tang dynasty (618-907 AD). By the 1920s and 30s, red bean ice pops and ice confections were sold by street vendors all over China.
Red bean ice cream as we know it today likely originated in Japan, where azuki bean sweets are especially beloved. After WWII, manufacturing ice cream became more widespread, and red bean became a popular ice cream flavor.
Nowadays, you can find red bean ice cream across East and Southeast Asia, as well as in Asian grocery stores and specialty ice cream shops around the world. It’s a classic flavor that’s been delighting people for centuries!
What Do Azuki Beans Taste Like on Their Own?
Before we get into what red bean ice cream tastes like, it helps to understand the flavor of azuki beans themselves.
Azuki beans are small, oval-shaped beans with a matt, reddish-brown skin. Inside, the beans are a vivid pinkish-red color.
Azuki beans have a distinct nutty, earthy flavor, quite different from other legumes. The taste is more subtle than bold. The beans taste lightly sweet, similar to chestnuts but more mild.
When cooked, azuki beans become very soft and creamy. Heat intensifies their sweetness and nutty undertones. The starchiness of the beans makes them perfect for turning into desserts.
You can buy azuki beans dried, canned, or pre-cooked as redbean paste. On their own, they make a healthy plant-based protein source and can be added to savory dishes too. But it’s their dessert-making potential that makes them so popular in Asian cuisine.
So What Does Red Bean Ice Cream Taste Like?
Now onto the million dollar question – what does red bean ice cream taste like?
Well, let me start by saying it tastes absolutely delicious! The flavor is unique and surprisingly addictive.
Red bean ice cream has a sweet, nutty, earthy taste thanks to the azuki bean base. It’s creamy and smooth like traditional ice cream, but with the delicate starchiness of cooked red beans.
While red bean ice cream tastes lightly sweet, it is less sugar-laden than many Western-style ice creams. The natural sweetness of the red beans provides enough sweetness without being overly cloying. Any additional sugar or flavors added are generally done sparingly.
Biting into whole chunks of red bean interspersed throughout the ice cream provides an exciting varied texture. The red bean pieces are soft yet slightly chewy, contrasting nicely with the frozen creamy base.
Overall, red bean ice cream is mellower and less rich than regular ice cream. It has subtle undertones of vanilla and toasted nuts. Some describe the taste as earthy and wholesome.
The nutty, semi-sweet flavor profile makes red bean ice cream perfect for cooling down on a hot summer day. It’s refreshing and satisfying without being too heavy.
Most Popular Red Bean Ice Cream Recipes
While plain red bean ice cream is delicious on its own, there are lots of flavored versions to try too:
- Matcha Red Bean Ice Cream – This Japanese spin incorporates powdered green tea for a nutty matcha taste that complements the red bean wonderfully. The pretty pistachio green and pink swirls make for a stunning ice cream.
- Coconut Red Bean Ice Cream – Coconut milk is used along with azuki beans to create a dairy-free, vegan red bean ice cream with tropical flair. Shredded coconut adds texture.
- Black Sesame Red Bean Ice Cream – Toasted black sesame gives an extra nutty, aromatic element. Black sesame seeds add crunch and visual appeal.
- Sweet Rice Cake Red Bean Ice Cream – This Korean-inspired recipe includes small pieces of chewy mochi rice cake along with the red beans. The contrast of soft and chewy textures is amazing.
- Red Bean Mochi Ice Cream – A frozen red bean paste filling is wrapped in a soft mochi (pounded Japanese rice cake) covering to make individual ice cream treats perfect for popping right in your mouth!
- Red Bean Taiyaki Ice Cream – Taiyaki pastries – fish-shaped waffle cones – are filled with red bean ice cream for an Instagram-worthy Japanese ice cream sandwich.
As you can see, red bean pairs perfectly with other Asian flavors like matcha, sesame, mochi, and more. There are so many tasty ways to enjoy this unique ice cream!
Tips for Making Your Own Red Bean Ice Cream
Want to make your own red bean ice cream at home? Here are my best tips for whipping up the perfect batch:
- Seek out good quality azuki beans – they should have a smooth, vibrant color without any blemishes. Rinse and sort the beans to remove any pebbles.
- Cook the beans until very tender – they should mash easily between your fingers. Undercooked beans will compromise the texture.
- Blend the cooked beans while still hot. Blitz into a super smooth, creamy puree. Refrigerate overnight to allow the flavors to meld.
- Use whole milk or cream for the richest texture, or coconut milk for a vegan version. Go for a ratio of 2 parts milk/cream to 3 parts bean puree.
- Optional mix-ins like vanilla, cocoa powder, matcha powder, etc can provide extra flavor depth. But keep it minimal to let the red bean flavor shine.
- Churn your ice cream base in an ice cream maker according to manufacturer’s instructions.
- Fold in some cooked azuki beans during the last minute of churning so they stay whole in the finished ice cream.
- The ice cream will still be quite soft after churning. Freeze solid in a container before scooping and serving for optimum texture.
With the right ratio of beans to cream and a smooth puree, you’ll have scrumptious homemade red bean ice cream that even a Hong Kong dessert shop would be jealous of!
Where to Buy Red Bean Ice Cream
Don’t have time to make your own? Not to worry – red bean ice cream can be purchased at many grocery stores specializing in Asian foods.
Look for it in the frozen section of Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Southeast Asian markets. Major supermarket chains may carry it as well, depending on your location.
Online stores like Amazon even sell red bean ice cream if you can’t find it locally. Major commercial brands to look out for include Imuraya, Fujiya, and Lotte.
Another option is visiting an Asian bakery, cafe or dessert shop. They often have red bean ice cream on hand along with other uniquely flavored ice creams like black sesame, taro, and green tea.
What Does Azuki Red Bean Ice Cream Taste Like?
I think azuki beans look like black beans at first glance, but they are a deep red color and have a slightly nutty taste. Red beans also have a light sweetness, making them a perfect ingredient for desserts.
From a bakery to a convenience store (konbini) to a restaurant in Japan, you can’t miss foods that taste like red beans. I’ve lived in the United States for a long time, but red bean sweets still make me miss Japan. Making this red bean ice cream at home makes me miss my childhood and the summers I spent at my grandpa’s house.
