My June Sakuraco box arrived last week!
For those who don't know, Sakuraco is a monthly premium Japanese snack box subscription program. I decided to do six months to start and accidentally subscribed for another six months, which ended up being approximately $65 CAD per box after shipping costs. (I want to note that they do use DHL to ship. Out of the 11 boxes I've received so far, I only got charged for duties on one box, but I want to be transparent about additional fees.) It is not a cheap subscription, but the snacks have proved to be quite unique (and I say this after coming back from Japan). Each box includes 20 items — including a tea, traditional sweets, seasonal treats, baked goods, and one home item — all centred around one specific Japanese region or theme. All monthly boxes are available from the 15th of every month to the 15th of the next month.
June's theme is "Mochi & Fruit Marvels," which is obviously centred on mochi. For this box, Sakuraco wrote, "Among the many delicacies that define Japanese cuisine, mochi and fruit hold a special place in the hearts and palates of those who indulge in their unique flavours and textures. Mochi, a soft and sticky rice cake, symbolizes good luck and longevity. It delights the senses with its chewy texture and subtle sweetness. Meanwhile, fruit offers a refreshing and colourful complement to the savoury flavours of Japanese cuisine and is renowned for its high quality and freshness. This month, we invite you to celebrate the artistry and flavour of both of these unique Japanese flavours with this specially curated selection of treats and tea."
This month's box comes with a postcard featuring a Japanese painting of a man kneading mochi. On the back is a message from the founder of Sakuraco about why she chose to feature this particular theme this month. Every box also contains a "snack guide," which includes an introduction and a brief history of a particular maker, snack, and prefecture, as well as information on the the month's selected tea and snacks. Of course, the guide also showcases every item included in the box, with detailed descriptions and allergy warnings. Included in my "Mochi & Fruit Marvels" box are the following items:
- Shine Muscat Jelly by Kuniwa Sangyo (Okayama) — "This treat is crafted from the finest Okayama-grown Shine Muscat grape, certified as 'The Fruit of Okayama' by Japan's Chamber of Commerce. The makers at Kuniwa Sangyo have infused this jelly with liqueur from the famous fruit to give it its sweet taste and heavenly fragrance."
- Lemon Pie by Shoeido (Hyogo) — "Handcrafted with Hokkaido wheat and infused with tangy lemon pulp, this fresh and fragrant pie is a masterpiece of flavour and texture. Let the zesty aroma transport you to sunny groves with every bite."
- Genmaicha with Green Tea by Brooks (Kanagawa) — "Savour the delicate flavour and subtle sweetness of genmaicha with green tea. With its gentle notes of roasted rice and matcha, this tea offers a savoury and clean taste that lingers on the palate."
- Ichigo Mochi Manju by Nakamuraya (Saitama) — "Enclosed under the surface of this delectable manju sits a soft, pillowy mochi. Tucked away in the mochi's centre, you'll find a strawberry red bean paste infused with the juice of Japanese strawberries. It is the perfect bite."
- Momo Kibidango by Seiki (Ehime) — "This delectable Japanese treat combines the irresistible sweetness of Ehime white peaches with the soft, chewy texture of kibidango. Kibidango is a traditional Japanese confectionery made with millet flour and sugar, and is often associated with the legend of Momotaro (Peach Boy), an admired hero in Japanese folklore."
- Lemon Vinegar Arare by Morihaku Confectionery (Gifu) — "This refreshing Lemon Vinegar Arare is crafted with 100% domestic glutinous rice. Infused with the refreshing, tangy aroma of Setouchi lemons and the zesty sourness of vinegar, this traditional Japanese snack delivers a delightful combination of flavours and textures that will tantalize your taste buds."
- Kabosu Nut Sable by Dontoyaki Honpo (Oita) — "Kabosu is a citrus fruit native to Japan and primarily grown in Oita. It has a tart and refreshing flavour, similar to a mix of lemon and lime. This rich, nutty Kabosu Nut Sable is baked perfectly with roasted almond chips and a special ingredient — powdered kabosu from Taketa, Oita Prefecture."
- Melon Gaufrette by Itokawaya (Mie) — "These crispy, thin gaufrette wafers are carefully filled with a luscious melon cream, delivering a gentle burst of sweet and refreshing flavour."
- Chrysanthemum Dish by Bloom (Gifu) — "Experience the refined elegance of traditional Japanese artistry with this beautiful dish, featuring a delicate design of chrysanthemums and arabesque patterns. Mino ware pottery is renowned for its warmth and meticulous attention to detail since the 7th century; this piece is no exception."
- Honey Apple Mochi by Tengudo Takarabune (Hokkaido) — "Enjoy the sweetness of honey and the fruity goodness of apples with every bite of this delectable mochi. Made using apple powder sourced from Nanae-machi in Hokkaido, the birthplace of Western apple cultivation, it offers a unique and flavourful experience. This treat is also wrapped in an edible oblate wrapper, ensuring your hands stay clean while you enjoy it."
- Hana Moyou by Sakura Confectionery (Niigata) — "This sachet of diverse flavours contains seven distinct rice crackers, each leaving a lasting impressing on the palate. Featuring a well-balanced mix of savoury and sweet tastes, it's the perfect snack for any occasion."
- Wasabi Kabocha Seeds by Uchiyama Tosaburo Shoten (Niigata) — "A delightful treat, this biteful features a crunchy kabocha, or Japanese pumpkin, seed core enveloped in a zesty wasabi coating that is sure to tantalize your taste buds with its aromatic heat."
- Ajiko Mochi Crackers by Realize Planning (Gifu) — "In Japanese cuisine, 'mochi' refers to a soft, chewy rice cake made from glutinous rice. However, in the context of these crackers, the slightly chewy texture lays underneath its crispy, crunchy surface. This snack features two unique tastes: a savoury soy sauce, and a refreshing salad flavour."
- Setouchi Lemon Squid Tempura by Maruka Foods (Hiroshima) — "Setouchi, located in the Seto Inland Sea area, is a region known for its mild climate, clean water, and fertile soil, which makes it an ideal place for growing citrus fruits like lemons. This treat has a refreshing acidity and flavour from Setouchi lemons that perfectly complements the squid tempura, resulting in a delicious and fresh culinary experience."
I'm particularly excited for this month's box partially because I like mochi, but mostly because I think the Japanese incorporate fruit exceptionally well into their snacks. I also love the combination of both mochi and fruit with the clean, delicate flavours of green teas, so I'm also glad to see that this month's tea is a genmaicha (roasted rice tea) with sencha (green tea). The chrysanthemum dish, which is this month's home item, is really pretty as well (and it's both microwave- and dishwasher-safe), and far more useful than last month's tea glass that can't be used for hot beverages.
Now, my picks from May's box: Genji Pie (basically the Japanese version of French palmier cookies — flaky, crunchy, and subtly sweet) and Ichigo Roll (a soft, not-too-sweet sponge cake with a thin layer of strawberry cream — pairs particularly well with green tea). Unfortunately, the rest of the items in last month's box weren't particularly noteworthy or just weren't good. (To be fair, I'm not a fan of sakura-flavoured food in general, and last month's theme was all about sakura.)
Finally, a reminder to those who have decided to subscribe to Sakuraco: Sakuraco will auto-renew your subscription if you do not cancel before your previous subscription ends. Remember that any amount paid is final and non-refundable. So always double-check when your subscription will end so you don't get surprise charged.
Be First to Post Comment !
Post a Comment