Shio Ame: Classic Japanese Salt Candy
As I wrote before, Kuro Ame (黒飴) is a classic Japanese hard candy using high-quality Okinawan raw brown sugar called Kokuto (黒糖).
In Japan, the sugar candy comes in various varieties, but among others, Kasugai Seika (春日井製菓) is well known for its Kokuto candy.
In addition to Kuro Ame, the confectionery maker has one more best-selling product with a unique taste, called Shio Ame (塩あめ).
Shio Ame (塩あめ) from Kasugai Seika
As the name Shio Ame (塩あめ) means salt (hard) candy in Japanese, you might wonder if it is more on the salty side.
However, to get to the point, the Japanese treat is not salty. Instead, with a moderate, gentle sweetness, it makes the most of the umami of salt.
As with Kuro Ame, today, several confectionery companies produce and sell Shio Ame, and some use various kinds of fruit juice in addition to salt.
With that said, Shio Ame contains some salt, so many people like to suck on the salted candy during the hot summer months to replenish salt lost by sweating.
Among such Shioame products, Kasugai Seika Shio Ame has a top market share, widely enjoyed in Japan.
Hakata no Shio (伯方の塩: Salt of Hakata)
As guessed by now, the most crucial element of the candy is salt, and this one uses Japan’s most famous salt brand Hakata no Shio (伯方の塩: Salt of Hakata).
The Hakata no Shio salt contains the right amount of bittern, characterized by its rich umami taste.
Ingredients/Nutrition Facts
| Starch syrup, Sugar, Salt (100% Hakata no Shio), Soy sauce (Partially including Wheat and Soybean) |
Nutritional Values
| Calories | 383 kcal |
| Protein | 0 g |
| Fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 95.7 g |
| Salt Equivalents | 1.5 g (113 mg per piece) |
(Reference Page: Kasugai Seika 塩あめ )
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[…] For those who enjoy collecting or trying different varieties, many flavors are available. Options range from sweet to slightly salty, allowing people to find a taste they enjoy without overindulging. You might be interested in exploring the various types of Japanese salt candies. […]