National Tempura Day

A Tempura-tastic History Lesson for National Tempura Day

If you’re a fan of crispy, crunchy food, then January 7th is your lucky day – it’s National Tempura Day! This holiday celebrates the classic Japanese dish of tempura. But what exactly is tempura and where did it come from? Let’s find out!

Where Did Tempura Come From?

Tempura is a deep-fried dish that originated in Japan during the 16th century. The name “tempura” comes from the Portuguese verb “temperar,” which means to cook or season something. The dish was originally created by Portuguese missionaries living in Japan who wanted to find an exciting new way to prepare fish. To do this, they mixed flour with water and added salt. This mixture was then used to coat the fish before it was deep-fried in oil.

What Can I Tempura?

While tempura is traditionally made with seafood such as squid or shrimp, today it can be used to fry almost anything! From root vegetables like sweet potatoes and carrots to fruits like bananas and apples, tempura is a unique and delicious way to mix up your meals. It can also be used to make various types of sushi rolls!

National Tempura Day is an excellent opportunity for everyone – from experienced chefs to complete beginners – to get creative in the kitchen. With its crunchy texture and unique flavor profile, tempura makes an ideal base for a variety of dishes. So whether you’re using familiar ingredients like shrimp or trying something totally new like apples, don’t forget to celebrate National Tempura Day this January 7th – you won’t regret it!