Jomon Cookie

The Jomon cookie is a food from the Jomon Period and is considered to be an important food source. Fossils of the cookie have been discovered from archaeological sites and examined by researchers. It has a high nutritional value and can be stored well. Ingredients of the cookie varies from season to season. However, powdery nuts were usually used in the cookie throughout the year.

The Jomon people gathered acorns, Japanese horse chestnuts and chestnuts. The bitterness from the nuts was removed by soaking them in water for a while. The acorn and Japanese horse chestnut are too sour to eat without soaking. The Jomon people had knowledge of methods for removing the astringency of those nuts. The people had to spend time and effort on cooking the Jomon cookie. Gathered nuts were ground with stone tools and mixed with minced wild animal meat, water and salt. The ingredients were powdery nuts, chopped meat, egg, salt, and water. The cookie dough was divided and made into a 2-inch flat-circular shape.

Today, experiencing some aspects of ancient Japanese culture is popular in Japan. Therefore, there are some places where people can experience creating ancient things such as building fire with wooden tools. Also, sometimes school kids make Jomon cookies in class.

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