# Kurobo > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Kurobo > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Kurobo.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kurobo > Source revision: 1288993206 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{Short description|Japanese baked confectionery}} thumb|320x320px|Kurobo '''Kurob''ō''''' (黒棒) is a type of baked confectionery that has been traditionally made mainly in the [Kyushu](/source/Kyushu) region of [Japan](/source/Japan). == Overview == The preparation method involves kneading and resting a dough made from brown sugar, eggs, flour, and baking soda, shaping it into sticks, and baking it in an oven. After baking, the sticks are cut to an appropriate length, coated with brown sugar or ginger syrup, and then dried. Locally, they are known as ''Kuronbō'' (くろんぼう) in the regional dialect. Some variations use white sugar instead of brown sugar, producing a version called ''Shirobō'' (白棒). Similar confections exist, such as Shiso Pan (紫蘇パン), which incorporates perilla leaves. == History == The origin of Kurobo is unclear. Until the [Meiji period](/source/Meiji_era), even the name had not been firmly established, and it existed as a common confection throughout [Kyushu](/source/Kyushu). Today, wheat is still produced in Kyushu, and in the past, sugarcane cultivation and brown sugar production were also widespread in the region. It is commonly believed that farmers created Kurobō as a homemade confection using these local ingredients.{{Cite web |title=野田製菓本舗オンライン |url=https://www.nodaseika.com/ |access-date=2025-04-27 |website=www.nodaseika.com}} It has also been eaten since ancient times in [Okinawa](/source/Okinawa_Prefecture) ([Ryukyu](/source/Ryukyu_Islands)), a major production area of brown sugar. During [World War II](/source/World_War_II), Kurobō was consumed as a food supply by the [Japanese military](/source/Imperial_Japanese_Army). Because it was inexpensive to produce and easy to mass-produce, soldiers valued it as a precious source of sweetness. Today, Kurobō is not limited to the Kyushu region but is sold throughout Japan.{{Cite web |title=黑棒(くろぼう)とは何? わかりやすく解説 Weblio辞書 |url=https://www.weblio.jp/content/%E9%BB%91%E6%A3%92 |access-date=2025-04-27 |website=www.weblio.jp}} Due to its affordable price, it is often classified as a type of ''[dagashi](/source/dagashi)'' (cheap traditional snacks), and it continues to be loved by modern Japanese people as a quick snack or portable food.{{Cite web |date=2017-05-22 |title=駄菓子界の長老「黒棒」 |url=https://aoigangu.com/blog/%E9%A7%84%E8%8F%93%E5%AD%90%E7%95%8C%E3%81%AE%E9%95%B7%E8%80%81%E3%80%8E%E9%BB%92%E6%A3%92%E3%80%8F/ |access-date=2025-04-27 |website=駄菓子のアレコレ語ります - 駄菓子・イベント用品なら「あおい玩具」 |language=ja}} == Main manufacturers == * Kurobo Confectionery - Kurume City , Fukuoka Prefecture * Hashimoto Confectionery - Minamiseki Town, Tamana District, Kumamoto Prefecture * Trio Foods - Yame City, Fukuoka Prefecture == References == {{Reflist}} Category:Baked goods Category:Japanese confectionery Category:Culture of the Kyushu region --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Kurobo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kurobo) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kurobo?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.