Bokksu is a premium snack box that features authentic Japanese snacks, as well as a tea pairing to go with it. The items are what you can’t easily find here across the pond, so trying them is a real treat and always a fun experience! I love learning about the different regions of Japan, too. Last month’s box was my first and I really enjoyed it, so I’m excited to see what this month has in store.
First look! The bright orange color of Bokksu makes me smile, that color is impossible to ignore.
DEAL: Save 10% on your first box with coupon code HELLO.
As the former Imperial capital of Japan, Kyoto is famous for its breathtaking temples, traditional Japanese crafts, and delicious food. Kyoto’s craftsmen are renowned for their attention to detail and near-ceremonial reverence whether they are weaving intricate kimonos or creating artisanal foods. In fact, two of Japan’s most well-known gastronomic traditions originated in Kyoto: Kaiseki (traditional multi-course dinner) and Sado (Japanese tea ceremony). This month, we’ll transport you to the thousand-year-old capital through our tasty snacks and teas directly sourced from Kyoto.
Kyoto Iroha Finacier Cake in Vanilla by Ishida Roho.
Kyoto Iroha Finacier Cake in Matcha by Ishida Roho. Financier is a rectangular French almond cake which is said to have gotten its namesake from the fact that it resembles a bar of gold. This beautiful cake opens with a light, moist texture and finishes with a smooth buttery taste. I loved the vanilla version which was just sweet enough and tasted like golden butter. The Matcha flavor was light and not overpowering but didn’t have the buttery goodness that filled my entire mouth. This would be perfect with a hot cup of tea.
Yumemi Koji Manju, Chestnut by Wako.
Yumemi Koji Manju, Plain by Wako. Manju is a traditional Japanese confection made with flour, rice powder, and buckwheat with a red bean filling. This fluffy milk manju infuses your mouth with layers of subtly sweet flavors with each bite. I tried the plain one and couldn’t get the bite down. The filling has a grainy texture and I just could not move past it. I was also a little sad that it wasn’t as sweet as the cookie I was imagining it to be.
KitKat Matcha. The modern Kit Kat brand began in 1911 by a UK confectionary company called Rowntree’s, but they weren’t distributed in Japan until 1973. In 1988, Nestle purchased Rowntree’s and acquired global control of Kit Kat. The matcha used in this beloved snack comes from Uji city in Kyoto Prefecture, which is renowned for their superior quality green tea. This was delicious once I got past the green color. It was as sweet and smooth as any regular milk chocolate Kit Kat. Also, I thought the history lesson behind Kit Kat was pretty interesting, I had assumed that Nestle owned them since they began. Just as my father has always said you learn something new every day.
Kyoto Anna Monaka, Red Been and Smooth Red Bean by Ishida Roho.
This is a two-step snack, you have to gently layer the red bean filling on one mochi wafer and enclose it with the other to create a delicious crispy red bean sandwich. I can admit this was crunchy but not so much on the delicious flavor. The red been filling reminded me of sticky, thick jelly with pasty texture.
Maru Cha Cha by Malebranche. Unlike many other matcha snacks that use usucha (light tea), this slim and sleek gluten-free matcha biscuit uses koich (concentrated tea), which is a higher quality matcha that results in richer flavor. I have learned that matcha is not for me, this biscuit was crispy and a beautiful color but the taste wasn’t for me.
Black Bean Okaki by Narumiya. Okaki is made using mochigome (glutinous rice), it has a firm and chewy texture compared to normal Senbei. This crispy rice cracker has a savory taste that is deliciously balanced by the black beans baked right into it. I was pleasantly surprised by the heartiness of this rice cracker. I would eat these regularly for a quick afternoon pick me up.
Matcha Green Tea by Ito En. Matcha is a powdered green tea made using the highest quality tea leaves. This specific Matcha Green Tea combines bitter, earthy Matcha powder with vibrant, fresh Sencha leaves to produce a delicious harmony of both tea types. I am excited to try this tea even though all the other attempts at Matcha have not really ended well for me. I have heard some amazing things about the health benefits of Matcha power, but the smell of this tea has left a strong doubt in my mind.
Bokksu is such a fun box that pairs new foods with a lesson rich in history and tradition. I love that everything fits into a small box but what I take away will last for a lifetime. I thought it was awesome learning about a big American company that wasn’t originally American. I think it’s great to receive so many items that all go hand in hand without having to be eaten together. My favorite thing so far about Japanese food are the cakes and deserts, they are marvelous without a ton of sweetness. Thanks to Bokksu, it is so easy to get a full experience of food, culture, and history…I really do look forward to see where next month’s box will bring me.
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