About Japanese Rice Candy

Japanese toddler eating candy

Japanese rice candy, more commonly known as Botan rice candy, creates delicious memories for children past and present. Found not only in Japan, but also in several other countries, this popular candy has something that other candies do not.

Definition

Botan Japanese rice candy is a somewhat soft and chewy, light-colored candy. Each box holds six pieces, weighing a total of 3/4 ounces.

Taste

Japanese rice candy delights its fans with a citrus mix of lemon and orange flavors. Some sweetness is tasted when eating but not to the point of overpowering the consumer.

Ingredients

Common candy ingredients such as glucose, sugar water and flavorings make up the rice candy. Sweet rice, hence the name rice candy, is the most identifying ingredient.

Extras

Aside from the flavorful candy, the manufacturer traditionally includes a sticker in each box. More recently, fake tattoos replaced the traditional stickers. The original children's surprise in each box, before stickers, was a small toy.

Edible Wrapper

Fans love the taste and tattoos, but some buy it for the unusual candy wrapper. Cellophane covers each individual piece, but under that remains another layer of edible wrapper made of rice paper. Some say that the wrapper flavor is not as noteworthy as the fact that it literally melts away in the mouth.

Tomoe Ame

Hawaiians grow up on a differently named version of the Japanese rice candy distributed to Hawaii by Japan's candy companies. Called Tomoe Ame Rice Candy, it is the same thing as Botan rice candy with slightly different box designs.

References

• NationMaster.com: Botan Rice Candy
• Flak Magazine: Botan Rice Candy
• The Tasty Island Honolulu Food Blog: Have Your Candy and Eat the Wrapper Too

Resources

• CandyAddict.com-Review: Botan Rice Candy
• Aisian Aisle-Botan Rice Candy