Japanese-style peanuts, also known as Japanese peanuts or cracker nuts (widely known in the Spanish-speaking world as cacahuates japoneses or maní japonés), are a type of snack food made from peanuts that are coated in a wheat flour dough and then fried or deep-fried. They come in a variety of different flavors. The Mexican version's recipe for the extra-crunchy shell has ingredients such as wheat flour, soy sauce, water, sugar, monosodium glutamate, and citric acid. The snacks are often sold in sealed bags, but can also be found in bulk containers

History

Japanese-style peanuts were created in Mexico during the 1940s by Japanese immigrant Yoshihei Nakatani, the father of Yoshio and Carlos Nakatani. He lost his job after the mother-of-pearl button factory he worked at, named El Nuevo Japón, was forced to close after its proprietor came under suspicion of being a spy for the Empire of Japan.

Nakatani had to find alternatives to provide for his family. He obtained a job at La Merced Market, where he initially sold Mexican candies called muéganos [es]. Later, he developed a new variety of fried snacks he named oranda that he named after the like-named fish. He also created a new version of a snack that reminded him of his homeland, mamekashi (seeds covered with a layer of flour with spices), that he adapted to Mexican tastes. Nakatani sold them in packages decorated with a geisha design made by his daughter Elvia. While his children tended to the family business, Nakatani and his wife Emma sold the snacks on local streets. Sales of the snacks were so successful that Nakatani was able to obtain his own stall at the market. With the help of Nakatani's son Armando, the family established their business under the brand Nipón in the 1950s; the name was registered as a trademark in 1977.

Nakatani never registered the patent for the snack. As a result, various competitors made their own versions of Japanese-style peanuts.

A Japanese version originated in Okinawa, called Takorina, has the image of a Mexican charro in the bag, and it is claimed to be called "Mexican-style peanuts", though the rumour has been disproven.

Megathreads and spaces to hang out:

reminders:

  • 💚 You nerds can join specific comms to see posts about all sorts of topics
  • 💙 Hexbear’s algorithm prioritizes comments over upbears
  • 💜 Sorting by new you nerd
  • 🌈 If you ever want to make your own megathread, you can reserve a spot here nerd
  • 🐶 Join the unofficial Hexbear-adjacent Mastodon instance toots.matapacos.dog

Links To Resources (Aid and Theory):

Aid:

Theory:

  • Red_Sunshine_Over_Florida [he/him]
    ·
    edit-2
    9 days ago

    Well, my date went well, we both agreed on that but, when it came to moving forward, she said while she really likes talking to me, she didn't feel attracted. She offered to be friends, help me navigate my social anxiety, and later consider dating me again but, I told her it was best if I don't burden her with emotional labor. Instead I said we should just part ways on good terms. Well, that was how the second date in my life went.

    • Commiejones [comrade/them, he/him]
      ·
      9 days ago

      oof.

      unsolicited advice

      Maybe don't throw it all away? Even finding someone who wants to meet up IRL is rough for most people these days. Not wanting to burden her with your emotional labor is reasonable but saying no to friendship because they aren't into you is kinda uncool.

      I don't want to be a dick when you are already down but "I don't want to be your friend I just want you to date me" is not a healthy attitude. I say this as someone who use to be like that x100.

      Western (especially christian) culture does some fucked up stuff to boys brains. We are told on the one hand that men are meant to dominate women but also that women are sacred, pure and look down on us because they aren't ruled by the incessant urge to screw. We are told that we are incapable of just being friends with the opposite gender.

      Having women as friends goes a long way to destroy those brain worms. Those toxic and conflicting ideas are a major source of social anxiety. (at least they were for me)

      • Red_Sunshine_Over_Florida [he/him]
        ·
        edit-2
        9 days ago

        If I have her as a friend, there will be the temptation to tell her about my problems, which is wrong in my opinion. I think she has more important problems for herself to worry about than I do. I have a relatively privileged position in comparison.

        In terms of friendships, I'm wary of making friends in any context because I always feel that they'll lose interest over time, while I end up having to initiate all the social interactions. I don't want to do that. It is just so draining.

        • SoylentSnake [he/him, they/them]
          ·
          9 days ago

          f I have her as a friend, there will be the temptation to tell her about my problems, which is wrong in my opinion. I think she has more important problems for herself to worry about than I do. I have a relatively privileged position in comparison.

          unsolicited advice, Soylent Edition: what you're describing is kinda just...what friendship is, when done reciprocally. and yeah, the losing interest over time dimension is an inherent risk of friendship or any other kind of intimacy and love. it sounds like a broader fear of closeness might be at play here? which is fair, intimacy brings with it the risk of being hurt and of hurting others and requires a leap of faith. but it's a leap worth taking, imo.

          • Red_Sunshine_Over_Florida [he/him]
            ·
            edit-2
            9 days ago

            Maybe I'll try it differently next time. I just kinda was afraid of trauma dumping with her like I did with this one guy I clicked with and later lost interest in me (to be fair, he told me first about plenty of his problems, which in my opinion, were worse than mine). That experience kinda made me wary of revealing too much about myself. So I rejected the offer of friendship because she included with it and offer to help me work on my social anxiety and other things. I felt that was putting too much on her.

        • Commiejones [comrade/them, he/him]
          ·
          9 days ago

          I can understand those points. I don't know your situation so I wont pretend I know better than you. Just remember you are better than your anxieties tell you.