Tasty, convenient, sakura sweet

Sakura Rice Cake with Red Bean Paste

Brand: 7-11

Price: 203 yen

Place of purchase: 7-11

Rating:

I find that sakura/cherry blossom flavours are something of an acquired taste, and I’ve certainly picked up a liking for them over the years. It is nice to see several options so readily available at the convenience store, and I found this to be quite enjoyable. It has a characteristic soft cherry flavour and fragrance, and the anko (red bean paste) filling in the center is definitely enjoyable. I always particularly enjoy it when a preserved cherry blossom is added to these treats, as the salty tang of the flower complements the very sweet flavours of the rest of the snack nicely.

Mochi, as you may already know, is quite sticky, which is just part of it, though you should bear that in mind when eating this. What did surprise me a little about this sweet is how rice-y it is. When I have had sakura mochi elsewhere in the past, the mochi has tended to be smoother, but this version is actually quite grainy. While it’s not a deal breaker for me, I’m not sure I’m exactly a fan, either. Overall, though, I’m really enjoying these. I’m finding them quite addictive and I confess I’ve bought them from my 7-11 two days running. I guess part of the sales strategy of having novel, seasonal sweets is that people have to buy them while they last, and I’m certainly falling into that category in this case! If you too like sakura sweets and you happen to be near a 7-11, I highly recommend at least trying these out while they last.