Sakuraco is a monthly Japanese Snack Box subscription celebrating authentic Japanese flavors. Committed to supporting family-owned businesses, each month this box features snacks from a ''new corner of Japan.'' Indulge in artisan treats and learn more about Japanese culture with them through flavor and tea.
This box was sent to us at no cost for review. (Check out our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we review boxes).
Sakuraco costs $37.50 monthly; you can save more by committing to a longer subscription. I received plenty of snacks to try this month, plus a beautiful (and useful!) fabric coaster. This box shipped directly from Japan; everything arrived in perfect condition and didn't take long to get to me.
First Impressions
Once again, the packaging for this box is stunning. ♡
This month's box is helping us celebrate Valentine's Day with our friends, family and our significant others through traditional and delicious treats.
It was not surprising that Sakuraco included a gorgeous booklet, since its packaging is so impressive. This booklet describes each snack and lists if it contains any common allergy. It also includes articles ranging from traditional hand-crafting of snacks to conventional Japanese weddings and beautiful flower arrangements in Japan. I learned so much that I really worked up a hunger. Let's dig into these snacks!
What's Inside:
Tanba Kuromame Arare
These bite-sized, individually-wrapped savory snacks would be perfect on the go if you're like me and randomly need a salty snack while sitting in traffic, while shopping, or waiting in a doctor's office. It has a lovely crunch to it, too.
Seto Salt Arare
Arare snacks are becoming some of my favorite, thanks to this subscription, and I often find myself craving them as a palette cleanser after something sweet. These fried puffs taste shrimpy in the best, subtle way.
Ume Shiso Senbei
I went into this snack blindly, but I was expecting it to lean more fruity. It says it may contain traces of crab and squid, and I definitely picked up on that, even though it's main flavor notes in the description are shiso and plum. They describe it as a sweet and sour taste, but it was more complex than that; it just wasn't for me.
Daruma Senbei
I love me a little heat, and this really hit the spot. It is packed with flavorful shichimi pepper and of course, it is addictively crunchy.
Orange Chocolate Cookie
I've never really been a fan of the combination of orange and chocolate, but I enjoyed the contrasting notes in this rich little biscuit. It was a little crumbly but otherwise enjoyable.
Chocolate Kuzumochi
The booklet describes this chocolatey treat as indulgent, and I couldn't have found a better word. This treat is rich and even richer after drizzling it with the fudgy sauce that came with it. I only had a few bites, and my kids didn't have a problem finishing the rest for me.
Chocolate Yokan
Usually, I really enjoy the treats made of red bean paste (and chocolate!), but I just couldn't get on board with this one. It was definitely an issue with the gel-like texture mixed with a strong chocolatey yet beany taste. This is the only snack we didn't finish in this month's box.
Pudding Baumkuchen
I thoroughly enjoyed this delicious cake. Its soft caramel swirl flavor and luscious texture made me wish I had another.
Strawberry Choco Crunch
This tiny bite was a total tease. Chrispy puffed rice is coated in smooth chocolate while the Nohime strawberries give this snack a tangy, fruity flavor. It is a lovely little snack, and once again, I was wishing I had a few more to enjoy.
Plum Furoshiki
I've never owned a wrapping cloth, but I absolutely love the concept. This cloth can help you carry your belongings or it could replace normal, single use gift wrap with one of these. I got a plain plummy color, but often these cloths come in other meaningful patterns.
Strawberry Monaka
This snack features a white bean paste infused with the sweetness of Fukuoka's Amaou strawberries sandwiched between two crispy wafers. It was my kid's favorite snack this month, so I only got one bite, but it was sweet and the wafers added a lovely crunch to it.
Strawberry Coated Peanuts
I also went into this treat blindly, so I was not expecting that tangy strawberry taste contrasting with the peanut flavor; it was different, but I didn't mind the pairing, especially while munching on the second sample.
Chocolate Karinto
This is described as deep-fried dough strips coated in syrup, which sounds delectable, and it is. They are crunchy, rich, and seriously addictive.
Chocolate Sable
This cookie might be the first treat to be reminiscent of the USA's sweet stuff. If I closed my eyes, I might have guessed this was a Chips Ahoy chewy chocolate chip cookie. There is nothing more comforting than a chewy, chocolatey cookie! I really liked how this one had a thin layer of chocolate in the center; every bite was rich and utterly tasty.
Caramel Hojicha
This month's tea was deliciously sweet. It is a blend of green tea infused with notes of caramel, and after steeping for about 10 minutes, it made a delicate, soothing cuppa.
The Verdict
Sakuraco's February box had many winners, yet some items I felt indifferent about. Some of the crunchy crackers confused my tastebuds, but I really enjoyed some of the sweeter treats; also, of course, the arare snacks were amazing. I always love the beauty of each month's packaging, but this month's box is even more beautiful with a Valentine's Day theme. This box is always bursting with authentic Japanese flavors, and I thoroughly enjoy everything from unboxing to the taste-testing session. It is especially fun sharing this experience with my family and is so worth the $37.50 price tag.
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Value – Was This Box Worth It?
The Cost: $37.50. This box ships directly from Japan and included 14 artisanal snacks and a pair of snack plate. It is like spending $2.50 per item.
To Wrap Up
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? Yes
What do you think of this month's Sakuraco's box?
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