Food · Sweeteners

Mizuame (Japanese Glucose Syrup)

水あめ (Mizuame)

Also known as: Mizuame, Japanese glucose syrup, Starch syrup, 水飴, 水あめ, Kosotoka mizuame (enzyme), Santouka mizuame (acid)

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At a glance

CategoryFood
Japanese labeling name水あめ 酵素糖化 / 酸糖化
Common Japanese notations水あめ, 水飴, ミズアメ
OriginGlucose syrup produced from starch (potato starch in Japanese tradition, or corn starch); two production methods — koso-touka (enzyme conversion, modern volume standard) and santouka (acid conversion, traditional method, less common today); principal Japanese producers Showa Sangyo, Nihon Shokuhin Kako, San-ei Sucrochemical
Typical functionsWagashi confectionery — kompeito, gummi, and sweet candy ingredient, Sugar substitute for industrial confectionery, Glaze for terimaki and other traditional preparations, Mizuame retail as direct candy (popular festival treat)
Regulatory status in JapanStandard food labeling. Source starch (potato vs corn) disclosure. Not a designated allergen.

Mizuame (水あめ / 水飴) is Japanese glucose syrup produced from starch (potato or corn). Two production methods: enzyme conversion (modern volume) and acid conversion (traditional). Major industrial confectionery ingredient and traditional festival candy.

Classification

Tags below link to other ingredients sharing the same attribute, so you can pivot from one ingredient to its peers.

Product applications

Functions

Regulatory tags

Used in (typical product categories)

Finished-product categories that commonly include this ingredient in Japanese-market formulations.

  • Industrial mizuame supply (commercial confectionery production)
  • Retail mizuame (festival and traditional candy)

What it is

Glucose syrup from starch.

Two methods: enzyme conversion (kosotouka, modern), acid conversion (santouka, traditional).

Typical uses in Japanese products

Wagashi confectionery — kompeito, gummi, candy.

Industrial confectionery sweetener.

Glaze for terimaki and traditional dishes.

Mizuame retail festival candy.

For OEM: industrial mizuame supply, retail festival candy.

Regulatory classification in Japan

Standard food labeling. Source starch disclosure. Not a designated allergen.

Regulatory classification in other markets

EUEstablished global glucose syrup market.
USAEstablished US corn syrup market.
ChinaEstablished global trade.
KoreaEstablished Korean mulyeot tradition.

Example products

Example finished products will be added after verification.

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Related ingredients

References

  1. MEXT Standard Tables of Food Composition — 水あめ 各形態

Last updated: 2026-04-28. Ingredient entries are reviewed at least annually against current regulatory listings.

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