Kuro Ame: Classic Japanese Kokuto Brown Sugar Candy
Raw brown sugar made from sugarcane, Kokuto (黒糖: meaning black sugar in Japanese), is a specialty of Okinawa, the southernmost prefecture of Japan.
And here, the hard candy using it called Kuro Ame (黒飴/黒あめ) has been a favorite through generations.
Kuro Ame (黒あめ) from Kasugai Seika
Today, several confectionery companies produce and sell the Kokuto brown sugar candy Kuro Ame (黒あめ), and Kasugai Seika (春日井製菓) is among the best-recognized.
In the name of the Japanese treat, Kuro (黒) means black, deriving from Kokuto sugar, while Ame (飴) refers to hard candy.
Kasugai Seika introduced the Kuro Ame candy in 1980 to enable the general public to get Kokuto candy at a low price because, at the time, sweets using raw brown sugar were expensive in Japan.
Therefore, it may be no exaggeration to say that, thanks to Kasugai Seika’s Kuroame product, Kokuto candy spread out and became common among ordinary people.
Taste
The Kasugai Kuro Ame uses high-quality Okinawan Kokuto sugar boiled over direct heat.
The Japanese black candy has an aromatic sweet flavor characteristic of raw brown sugar, packed with plenty of savory deliciousness that delights you.
Ingredients/Nutrition Facts
| Sugar, Starch syrup, Kokuto brown sugar (from Okinawa), Salt, Caramel pigment, Emulsifier, Seasoning (Amino acid) (Partially including Soybean) |
Nutritional Values
| Calories | 382 kcal |
| Protein | 0 g |
| Fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 95.5 g |
| Salt Equivalents | 0.3 g |
(Reference Page: Kasugai Seika 黒あめ )
I’m an American who bought these candies on a whim. Outstanding. Not too sweet, has a really pleasant, mild flavor that reminds you of coffee, burnt toast, and caramel. I recommend trying some!