Why source from Japan
Hokkaido Erimo azuki + Kyoto wagashi specialty production produce export-grade anko at scales no other origin matches.
Key spec
Sugar (sucrose) 40-50%; azuki 50-55%; salt 0.1-0.3%; tsubuan vs koshian differs in texture only.
Typical end-product
Mass-volume wagashi (mochi, daifuku, taiyaki) export, premium hand-made retail, dessert-bakery flavour systems.
At a glance
- Suppliers listed
- 1 supplier
- Typical MOQ
- 10–100 kg paste; 100 g – 5 kg specialty grades
- Typical lead time
- 4–8 weeks
- Regions of origin
- Hokkaido (azuki source), Kyoto / Tokyo (specialty wagashi production)
- Category
- Food ingredients
- Harvest season
- Continuous (azuki harvest October – November)
- Japan regulatory status
- Food product; sugar / azuki under JAS
- Japanese name
- 粒あん / こしあん
- Romaji
- 粒あん / こしあん
About this ingredient
Sweet red bean paste — the foundational ingredient of Japanese wagashi (mochi, dorayaki, taiyaki, daifuku, manju). Two principal forms: tsubuan (whole-bean texture) and koshian (smooth-strained). Hokkaido azuki (Tokachi-region 'Erimo' cultivar) anchors most commercial production; specialty wagashi producers in Kyoto / Tokyo maintain in-house anko production. Mass-volume retail anko (canned, frozen) supports export wagashi supply chains. Distinct from existing 'azuki-bean' entry (raw bean) and 'tamba-kuromame' (different bean species).
Regulatory status
| Japan | Food product; sugar / azuki under JAS |
|---|---|
| EU | Food import; allergen labelling for additives |
| United States | GRAS; FDA Prior Notice |
| China | GACC food facility registration |
Looking for alternatives?
Common reasons buyers swap to a different ingredient — and what we'd suggest based on this ingredient's profile.
Vegan / plant-based alternatives
Anko (Sweet Red Bean Paste) is animal-derived. If you need a non-animal source with similar functions, consider:
Sansho Pepper
山椒
Zanthoxylum piperitum source; INCI Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract; MOQ from 1–10 kg (dried peppercorn); 100 g – 5 kg (powder).
Plant-based· shares 3 categories
Wasabi Powder
山葵粉末
Wasabia japonica (Eutrema japonicum) source; INCI Wasabia Japonica Root Powder; MOQ from 1–10 kg (powder); 100 kg+ (bulk paste).
Plant-based· shares 3 categories
Shio Koji
塩麹
MOQ from 20–100 kg.
Plant-based· shares 3 categories
Easier China regulatory path
Anko (Sweet Red Bean Paste) faces a more restrictive regulatory pathway in China. These alternatives have a simpler status in that market:
Sansho Pepper
山椒
Zanthoxylum piperitum source; INCI Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract; MOQ from 1–10 kg (dried peppercorn); 100 g – 5 kg (powder).
Simpler in China· shares 3 categories
Wasabi Powder
山葵粉末
Wasabia japonica (Eutrema japonicum) source; INCI Wasabia Japonica Root Powder; MOQ from 1–10 kg (powder); 100 kg+ (bulk paste).
Simpler in China· shares 3 categories
Shio Koji
塩麹
MOQ from 20–100 kg.
Simpler in China· shares 3 categories
When does it make sense to swap an ingredient? Read the swap guide →
Japanese suppliers
Disclaimer
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Last updated: 2026-05-05