Get kids excited at the autumn food party! Trivia quiz and fun facts

dango

During Otsukimi (moon viewing), there is a custom of eating dango shaped like the full, round moon and enjoying the moon. On the night of the full moon (Jugo-ya), perfectly round dango resembling the moon are offered. It has long been said that eating moon-viewing dango expresses gratitude for the harvest and conveys wishes for health and happiness.

An elongated rod shape

Chitose-ame, the candy eaten during Shichi-Go-San, is made in a long, thin stick shape to symbolize wishes for longevity and good health. Its colors are red and white, which are considered auspicious, and the candy embodies hopes for a long life and well-being. The bags that hold chitose-ame are decorated with lucky designs such as cranes and turtles, or the pine, bamboo, and plum motif.

chestnut

“Marron” means chestnut in French, and in Japan “marron” is also used to refer to chestnuts, especially in sweets and confections. Chestnuts used in Western-style desserts, such as Mont Blanc and marrons glacés, are often called “marron.” In Japan, chestnuts are also widely used in traditional sweets and dishes, such as kuri-gohan (chestnut rice) and kuri-kinton.

Pacific saury

Pacific saury is a fish that represents autumn, and its long, slender body resembles a blade, which is why its name literally means “autumn sword fish.” It’s a hallmark flavor of the season, often enjoyed grilled with salt. Rich in high-quality fats and DHA, Pacific saury is known as a highly nutritious fish and is an essential presence on the dining table.

ohagi (sweet rice balls coated with red bean paste)

On the Autumnal Equinox, there is a custom of eating ohagi (sweet rice cakes). They are made from the same ingredients as botamochi eaten on the Vernal Equinox, but the name changes based on the season’s flowers. The ohagi eaten during the autumn Higan period are named after the bush clover (hagi) that blooms in autumn, hence the name “ohagi.”

burr

The spiky outer husk of a chestnut is called an “iga.” Inside the iga is the chestnut nut, enclosed in a hard outer shell called onikawa, where it’s well protected as it grows. In autumn, chestnuts are enjoyed as a seasonal delicacy, often cooked into dishes like chestnut rice and served at the table.

Mushroom

There’s a story that when lightning strikes, mushrooms have a bumper harvest. It sounded like a fairy tale, but when researchers actually generated artificial lightning and conducted experiments, the yield reportedly increased! It seems various experiments are still being carried out on this topic.