Bontan Ame (Japanese Pomelo Citrus Soft Candy), 1.58 oz
First introduced in 1924, Bontan Ame has become a beloved classic in Japan with its nostalgic flavor and timeless packaging. Made by Seika Foods, this soft candy is wrapped in an edible starch paper and offers a pleasantly chewy texture. The sweet-sour taste comes from citrus grown in southern Kyushu, including Akune Pomelo, Sour Pomelo, and Kyushu Mandarin Oranges, which together create a refreshing and balanced citrus richness. Unlike ordinary caramel or soft candy, Bontan Ame is truly one of a kind. Carefully crafted with plant-based ingredients such as starch syrup, rice, and natural citrus extracts. The candy’s soft and sticky consistency, paired with its distinctive citrus brightness, makes it a treat enjoyed across generations. Hand one out at gatherings, or savor one yourself to experience a true taste of Japanese tradition.
・The idea for Bontan Ame came from a simple moment at a candy factory—workers were playfully cutting a traditional sweet called Chosen Ame (a chewy local treat from Kumamoto) with scissors. The founder loved the concept and transformed it into the iconic caramel-shaped candies we know today.
・Each candy is wrapped in a thin starch paper called oblaat, which was originally used by Dutch pharmacists in Japan to make bitter medicine easier to swallow. Now, it keeps the candy fresh and adds a unique, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
・Bontan Ame is a beloved dagashi (affordable, traditional Japanese snack) that evokes childhood memories across generations. It’s not just candy—it’s a sweet taste of Japanese history.
Millet Jelly, Sugar, Maltose, Glutinous Rice, Starch Wafer (Potato Starch, Sweet Potato Starch, Colza Oil, Lecithin (Soy)), Pomelo Fruit Juice, Concentrated Tangerine Juice, Citrus Flavor, Starch (Corn Starch, Potato Starch), Annatto. Contain:Soy.