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Fried Maple Leaves Are A Delicacy In Japan, And They're Making Canadians Jealous

Fried Maple Leaves Are A Delicacy In Japan, And We're Jealous
Lens On Japan

Canadians may be known for maple syrup, and have even come up with a way to turn it into a frozen treat, but somehow, we seem to have overlooked the most delicious way to eat maple: deep fried, of course.

According to a post on Bored Panda, deep-fried maple leaves (momiji tempura) are a treat in the Osaka region of Japan, primarily at the gorgeous Minō Park about an hour north of the city.

Once the maple leaves turn red, reports Lens On Japan, certain shopkeepers will deep fry the leaves in dough. The leaves have no taste, according to the blog, but instead, give the snack an intriguing shape.

Other visitors to Japan have posted shots of the treats before consumption, and we just can't get enough:

But before you go thinking about tossing your pile from your lawn into the deep-fryer, know that this delicacy is stoked in tradition, which includes, according to Bored Panda, preserving the leaves for a year in salt barrels.

Meanwhile, Canadians across the nation are groaning as the realization dawns on us that we've missed an opportunity (or more optimistically, can create a new one!). As one Twitter user succinctly put it:

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