Sakuramochi is a delicately flavoured, pastel pink confection wrapped in a salt - preserved cherry (sakura) leaf. The sweet bean - paste centre contrasts beautifully with the light salty flavour, providing a delightful taste combination. Sakuramochi is said to have originated with a temple gatekeeper in Tokyo in 1717 who tired of cleaning up the cherry leaves and decided to sell them with mochi and an inside. This became a very popular tradition among cherry-blossom viewers.
