This past Christmas was fantastic, what with the people, the gifts and the CANDY! Dave treated me like a princess this year, which he does everyday BTW, and he went online to J-Box to get me something special candy-wise. Knowing my affinity for the unusual and the sweet, he bought me bara momo koakuma candy. Bara is “roseâ€, “momo†is peach and koakuma translates literally as, “baby demonâ€.
Who would eat something called rose-peach baby demon candy? According the description at J-Box this is the candy with a unique flavor “… that children all over Japan flock to have.†J-Box marketed this as “Black and Red Gothic Candyâ€. How very clever of them to pitch black colored candy to the goths.
UHA is the candy company who produces Koakuma (koakuma is actually Japanese for “little witchâ€, but the literal translation is so much more fun). UHA also makes the incredibly sour candy called “Shigekix Super (insert flavor here) Flavored Soft Candy†aka Shigekix or Super Candy.
The U-H-A in UHA’s name stands for “Unique Human Adventure†and they do have some unique products on their site. The products on their web site have a very finished look to them. Koakuma itself comes in some pretty tight packaging. Every piece is individually wrapped, like most Japanese candy, and has two different and cute designs on the wrappers. The bag is colorful and nicely illustrated to show the product and the candy’s logo and mascot.
Opening the wrappers is a treat as my first thought is “Oh my, this candy smells divine!” Peaches like high summer with a delicate fragrance of rose underneath. The colors are actually cheerful despite the warning of “gothic candyâ€. Now to taste…
At first bite, the texture reminds me of “Laffy Taffyâ€. Inside this “Laffy Taffy-esque†candy are bits of rosy pink colored gummy with a very subtle rose flavor. Texture aside, the flavor is definitely one Laffy Taffy couldn’t dream of duplicating. The peach is amazingly true and almost makes me question if my memory of a summer peach is as good as this. The rose is so subtle that it comes to the tongue a bit after I swallow.
Koakuma is NOT a candy to be hurriedly scarfed down and inhaled within 10 seconds. No, this is a confection that needs to be savored by the senses; visually, olfactorily, and flavorfully.
Koakuma costs $1.40 plus S&H costs at J-list and you get seven individually wrapped pieces for the price. It’s worth it IMO, well worth it. Now, I can’t wait to try the blueberry-rose-demon-baby candy I found in my stocking as well…
TEXTURE:
FLAVOR:
APPEARANCE:
PACKAGING:
Giving Koakuma an overall:
One of the things I like about most bags of Japanese candies is the packaging. It makes whatever it is seem that much more special. I’ve never seen this particular candy at ye old asian grocery store here in Philadelphia, but I’ll have to keep an eye out for it.
*runs to J-Box*
Most Japanese packaging is quite interesting in itself -Super rats. There’s a great book on classic Japanese packaging called : “How to Wrap Five Eggs”. It’s a good book that shows how the Japanese have paid attention to wrapping, carrying, and presenting items through the ages.
The only place I’ve seen this candy is online. If there’s a Mitsuwa near you I’d try there. -Zingor, does your Mitsuwa carry this stuff?
These are not on j-list anymore! I want some really badly. Anyone know where to get some?
PLEASE REPLY!
Nice to meet you.
I am writing this in Japan now.
Koakuma is a large boom in Japan.
http://koakuma.com/
This is a site in Japan in which true Koakumagal gather.