Japanese food culture Explaining the history of tempura and types of tempura!

Tempura is loved not only in Japan but all over the world, and its delicious taste and unique history have captivated many people. In this article, we will introduce the history of tempura and what types there are.

History of tempura

The origins of tempura date back to Japan in the late 16th century. In literature from the early Edo period, the words “tempura” and “tempura” can be found, and at that time it was known as a dish of battered and deep-fried shrimp and vegetables.

However, there is no established history, and there is a variety of information available. Among them, I will highlight two important pieces of information.

Tempura historical theory 1

One theory is that it originates from a cooking method called "frito" (fries) that was introduced to Japan from Portugal. Christianity was introduced to Japan from Portugal in the mid-16th century, and it is said that Portuguese cuisine was also introduced at that time. It is said that this included a cooking method called frito, in which the ingredients were wrapped in batter and fried, and there is a theory that this was the origin of tempura.

Tempura historical theory 2

The second theory is that monks who were training at a Buddhist temple in Kyoto devised the dish by wrapping shrimp, vegetables, and other ingredients in batter and deep-frying them as a meal to eat during their training, when they refrained from eating meat.

In any case, there are multiple theories about the history of tempura, and the exact origin is not clear, but its deliciousness and unique cooking methods have taken root in Japanese food culture.

Types of tempura

There are various types of tempura. Here are some representative ones:

seafood

It is battered and fried seafood such as shrimp, squid, horse mackerel, and salmon.

vegetables

It is battered and deep-fried vegetables such as eggplant, peppers, pumpkin, and sweet potatoes. The vegetables used vary depending on the season and region.

Meat

Meat such as chicken, pork, or beef is coated and fried.

Seasonal tempura

Tempura uses ingredients that change with the seasons. For example, cherry shrimp and wild vegetables are used in spring, eel and okra in summer, mushrooms in autumn, and oysters and root vegetables in winter.

Bowl of rice and fried fish

Tempura served on top of a bowl. It is served over rice and topped with a special soup.

In addition to these, each region and individual store has its own variations. For example, there are tempura made with fruits and cheese, and tempura made with unusual ingredients. Therefore, there are many different types of tempura, and you can enjoy a variety of flavors depending on the ingredients and cooking methods.

summary

Tempura is loved not only in Japan but all over the world, and its history and deliciousness have captivated many people. In the future, further evolution and development is expected as new ingredients and cooking methods are introduced. By learning about the charm and history of tempura, you will be able to enjoy its deliciousness even more.

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