Azuki (Red) Bean Ice Cream

A popular treat in Asian countries and the Pacific Islands, red bean
ice cream is always a wonderful treat. The only way I can describe the
flavor of red bean ice cream to those who have never tasted it is
something between vanilla, cream, strawberries, and cotton candy. There is nothing
'beany' or gritty about azuki bean ice cream

• Texture: A good azuki bean ice cream like that made by maeda-en of California will be creamy smooth like a good Haagen Dazs with bits of soft red beans dispersed throughout. Rating: 10 out of 10.
• Flavor: A blend of vanilla, cream, strawberries, and cotton candy that can only be described as comforting and homey. Rating: 10 out of 10.
• Packaging: Most commercially available azuki bean ice cream in the US come in rather plain looking ice cream cartons. There may be pictures of red beans and the package will most likely be maroon colored. Just look for the phrases 'azuki', 'adzuki', or more commonly 'red bean'. Rating: 5 out of 10.
  
• Availability: I've seen red bean deserts in practically all the Asian grocery stores I've been to. Chinese stores will tend to have Chinese brand red bean popsicles rather than ice cream. Japanese stores will generally have azuki bean ice cream or even mochi ice cream if you're lucky. Rating: 7 out of 10.
  
• Origins: Maeda-en ice cream is made in Irvine, California so it's safe to eat. Rating: 10 out of 10.

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