Reviewed by
Mary
Bokksu is the only Japanese snack box that sources directly from snack makers in Japan, so many of our artisanal products cannot be found anywhere else. Start your cultural journey through Japan by subscribing to Bokksu and receiving a curated box of premium Japanese snacks and teas delivered to your door every month.
They have two levels of subscription: the Tasting, which is smaller, and the one I have received, The Classic.
Subscriptions are prepaid for one, three, six, or twelve months.
For the Classic box they work out at $39 (£29.79), $37, $35 , and $33 per month.
As usual, they are priced in dollars, so GBP conversion is according to today’s exchange rate. Obviously this will vary, but it gives you some idea of cost.
This month’s theme is Citrus Refresh.
It looks like there are going to be some lovely summery flavours here, as well as the opportunity to try brand new tastes!
The menu is a big foldout, so needs two pictures!
Details of the contents, plus an allergen list.
First of all, these lovely Orange Stick Cakes. These are made by the same person as the fruit pound cake a few months ago. The cake slice is deliciously moist and soft, with a rich orange flavour. They also look extremely pretty with the orange slices baked into the top.
Sandwich cookies are a huge thing in Japan, and this version is Rich Orange Biscuits. They are a classic chocolate and orange combination with two chocolate cookies on the outside and rich orange cream in the middle.
Another cake slice, this time Lemon Low Carb Cake. Its (slightly) lower carb levels is because it’s made partly with almond flour. Like the orange cake, it’s very moist and flavourful, and the almonds give it a little extra depth.
This Yuzu Candy was made exclusively for Bokksu! A yuzu is a Japanese citrus fruit, described as tasting somewhere between a grapefruit and a mandarin. They don’t tend to be eaten alone, but their juice and skin is used extensively. This sugar candy is sweet and citrussy, and you can even see tiny pieces of the fruit inside!
Mini Fried Rice Cracker Shiquasah Salt are little crispy rice crackers coated with soy and Shiquasa, another Japanese citrus fruit. This one is native to Okinawa, and these particular crackers are only available there.
Tokyo Rusk are a staple in Bokksu. Japanese rusk is thinly sliced bread covered in butter and sugar and baked until crispy. there are tons of different varieties, and this new version is made with lemon zest.
These Hyuganatsu Jelly pots were rather difficult to photograph! They are little mini pots of jelly flavoured with Hyuganatsu, which is yet another native Japanese citrus fruit. This is sweet and refreshing with just the tiniest hint of tartness.
This is another citrus variation on a previous Bokksu snack: Olive Oil Senbei Yuzu Pepper. These crispy rice cakes are spicy from the pepper and then have a lovely citrussy kick. Unusual but delicious!
Here’s a great snack to go with beer: Ofu Smoked Crackers & Peanuts Lemon Salt Flavour. They’re exactly as described, a savory mix of little rice crackers and peanuts dusted with salt and lemon.
Finally, this month’s tea is Yuzu Green Tea. This is regular green tea with added yuzu peel which adds a tangy refreshing note.
I really like all the different citrus flavours in this month’s box! It’s a terrific idea to focus on a flavour group, especially one which has so many new varieties. I never realised there were so many different citrus types in Japan, and finding out more about the, and their different tastes is very enjoyable.
It’s amazing how fresh and delicious the cake slices are, and they are just the right size as well. The chocolate orange sandwich biscuits are especially delicious too.
Also, there is nothing shellfish-related in this box at all, so I can eat everything!
These artisanal snacks are not just exclusive to Japan, but in a couple of cases, to a specific area of the country. These are really things you would ordinarily have to travel a long way to find, but instead can much on from the comfort of your own home. These fresh flavours are perfect for summer too, a great theme choice this month from Bokksu.
