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Pic credits: Lauri Patterson on Unsplash
Chinese rice crisps or crackers are a staple in most households. Light, crispy, and giving a perfect umami bite - The perfect snack for any occasion. Known as senbei, okaki, or arare, these crackers are most known for their ubiquitous nature in Japan but actually originate in China.
Senbei are versatile and prepared in a variety of ways but usually start with glutinous or non-glutinous rice flour, cooked rice, water, and oil. Then, they are roasted, baked, or deep-fried and dipped in sweet or savory toppings. From soy sauce to nori to sesame seeds to honey, these crunchy rice crisps are eaten both as chips and cookies across China.
While the term ‘senbei’ is Japanese, and these rice crisps are considered a traditional Japanese snack, their origins might be unexpected¹. Originating in China during the Three Kingdom’s Period, rice crisps started as a type of crepe called jianing. During the Han Dynasty (202–8 BC), rice crisps were eaten from January 1st through March 3rd to celebrate the New Year by the Chinese court and were then brought to Japan during the Asuka Period (538–710 AD).
There are various stories of how Chinese rice crisps became Japanese senbei. Some say that a sweet version of jianing was remade in Japan as a savory rice cracker during the Tang Dynasty, while others say that they were brought over even before that. The most legendary story is that they were created in the Edo period in the village of Soka, by a woman named Osen.
Whatever their history, senbei’s popularity exploded across Japan, with sweet versions presented at parties and salty ones popular amongst farmers who made their crisps with leftover rice from the fields. Eventually, people started to glaze salty senbei with soy sauce, branching out their flavors. By the 1700s, senbei varieties resembled what we might recognize today, and many of the legendary Japanese senbei shops of that era are still open today.
Although senbei are still historically significant in Japan, their popularity as a snack food is unmatched in China. While the rice crisp industry has largely died off in Japan, being mostly a historic cultural phenomenon, in China, rice crisps are everywhere.
Although senbei is now associated with its Japanese heritage, these addictive rice crisps are far more popular in China and are one of the most widely consumed snacks across the entire nation, with their sales generating over 1 billion USD a year².
The majority of Chinese rice crisps today are manufactured by Want Want, a brand born from the Japanese confectionery company Iwatsuka³ and popularized in China by a 19-year-old CEO over a decade ago. However, Want Want’s hold on the market is dwindling, and as the demand for rice crisps only increases, opportunities abound for new flavors and styles.
While you can find Chinese rice crisps from countless brands, some of the most delicious ones come from Huajiao Shijia, available wholesale at Trustana. An emerging brand with its finger on the flavor pulse, Huajiao Shijia is taking the senbie game to another level.
Since 2018, Huajiao Shijia⁴ has solidified its culinary genius by specializing in foods flavored with Hancheng Dahongpao, one of China’s most distinctive and iconic flavor profiles. Now one of the leading manufacturers of pepper-flavored snacks, they sell more than 5,000 cartons each day and have garnered support for their sustainable practices and well-run supply chain management, selling at places like Biàn Lì Fēng and 7-11 across China.
All of Huajiao Shijia’s delicious crisps bring the distinct flavor of the Szechuan peppercorn. It’s a mellow but vibrant spice that will warm your throat as you eat, creating an addicting sensation that will keep you coming back again and again. The mix of the peppercorn undertones, the perfect crunch in each shape, and the various flavors make these crisps irresistible.
Here are just a few of the delicious flavors of rice crisps available to order from Trustana:
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A bag full of classic bite-sized, round crisps, this variety is the ideal accompaniment for dips and sauces since each crisp has a hollow center for the perfect scoop.
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Reminiscent of the most classic senbie, when you sit down to watch a movie with a bag of these rice crisps, they’ll be gone before the trailers are over.
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These are just a few of the amazing rice crisps on offer from Trustana. Serving as the perfect bar snack, sandwich side, or simply as an essential convenience store shelf staple for customers craving a crunchy snack, rice crisps are sure to delight you. Do not miss out on these wholesale deals.
References:
Though established in 2018, Huajiao ShiJjia has worked its way to being one of the leading manufacturers of Pepper flavored foods - Here’s why.
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