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Japanese sweets (Read 18595 times)
Tenno Heika
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Japanese sweets
09/18/08 at 14:51:21
 
This time I'm not featuring some cool new product, but want to ask your opinion about a very old one.
 
If you've never been to Japan, chances are you've never tried most of the sweets and candies unique to Japan. There are so many of them, but for this post I want to look at one - youkan (pronounced Yoh!-kan).
 

 
Like so many things unique to Japan, it's hard to translate it in a way that means anything to westerners. Youkan is translated as "sweet bean jelly" but it's actually more the consistency of cake. It's quite heavy, sweet and rich, but pretty healthy. It can be flavored with different things, usually fruit, nuts, chestnut, something like that.
 
So I was asked the other day, out of the blue, if I'd be interested in promoting the youkan made by a particular company in neighboring Gifu prefecture on the Japan Zone store. This particular company makes its youkan (and a few other similar products) flavored with kaki, or persimmon and has been a family-run business for 253 years!! They sell the youkan in a length of bamboo, which is a very cool and unique packaging idea. The prices vary depending on the size/quantity but are around the range of $12-$60.

 
I probably will add their fairly small product line to the store, when I get a chance. They say they'll ship overseas, so I'd just be processing the orders for them as they don't have any English-speaking staff. They say they already ship to some regular customers around the world (mostly hotels and the like) but want to expand to the retail market.
 
So what do you think? Would you order a somewhat exotic food item like this online?
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Kevin
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Re: Japanese sweets
Reply #1 - 09/26/08 at 11:59:07
 
Japanese sweets are delicious, youkan and wagashi in general.  In fact, whenever I go back to see the family, the last stop before leaving is to get a box of wagashi for mom.
People "in the know" overseas would really appreciate being able to purchase on-line.  Other than that, I think it would take a lot of market promo/education to get this out there.  
I think I remember reading about a Japanese sweets store opening in either NYC or LA about a year ago.  Wonder how that is doing?
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Tenno Heika
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Re: Japanese sweets
Reply #2 - 09/26/08 at 20:06:40
 
Well, I've added a few kaki yokan products to the store, so we'll see if anyone is interested. I'll try and add more products if I can get Tsuchiya-san to provide some decent photos.
 
http://store.japan-zone.com/index.php?cPath=33
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Re: Japanese sweets
Reply #3 - 09/04/09 at 14:11:25
 
I don't know where everyone is located but I've come to appreciate the use of YELP to find the most delicious wagashi stores!  I'm in LA so luckily i'm surrounded by appreciation of japanese culture = DELICIOUS Japanese wagashi's to unhealthily indulge in waaaaaaayyyyy to often for my own good!  but i'd definately give it a shot yelping in your town! Smiley
http://www.japaneezy.com
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dhaxel
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Re: Japanese sweets
Reply #4 - 02/17/10 at 14:22:09
 
   Wow!!!! how i'd wish i can visit Japan, so that i can buy some delicacies which i think tastes so delicious..... Right?????
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本田寛貴
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Re: Japanese sweets
Reply #5 - 02/17/10 at 15:36:38
 
okashi!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Cheesy
Luv it!
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Timmy
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Re: Japanese sweets
Reply #6 - 03/26/10 at 12:10:21
 
I think it is a great idea. It is a rare sweet here in hawaii, but sometimes I see it. I just had some last night, and my mouth is watering looking at the pics.
 
Good luck
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Tenno Heika
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Re: Japanese sweets
Reply #7 - 03/26/10 at 15:14:00
 
Well, Timmy we're ready and willing to have it shipped to you direct from Tsuchiya anytime...
 
http://store.japan-zone.com/index.php?cPath=33
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hilman
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Re: Japanese sweets
Reply #8 - 07/11/10 at 03:55:22
 
is that picture is cup of tea??
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Tenno Heika
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Re: Japanese sweets
Reply #9 - 07/11/10 at 22:59:11
 
Yes, Japanese green tea. Tasty and healthy. And we do sell green tea on our store, too:
 
http://store.japan-zone.com/index.php?cPath=32_44
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Ms Mair
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Re: Japanese sweets
Reply #10 - 08/28/10 at 14:33:54
 
The first time I saw Japanese sweets was from Asuka film. Since that time, I always want to comt Japan to taste these delicious sweets. Hummm, I don't know when I have enough money  embarrassed
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