The Sweet and Salty Side of Summer in Japan
July and summer months in Japan don't just bring with them a wave of heat, but also ring in the festival season. Shrines and lively events are everywhere with the summer months, and with them come a wave of iconic flavors and foods. Let's take a look at some of the summer-centric flavors of Japan!
The most dominant flavor profile you see in July comes from kakigori, which is traditional Japanese shaved ice. Real kakigori is just fine ice topped with bright syrups like strawberry, melon, or blue Hawaii. Snack companies take these exact syrup flavors and turn them into gummies, hard candies, and chewy sweets. You will often see packaging designed to look like the classic glass bowls used at summer festivals. These snacks usually incorporate a cooling powder or a sugar crunch to simulate the feeling of eating actual ice.
Watermelon, or suika in Japanese, is another massive July staple. Eating fresh watermelon with a sprinkle of salt is a traditional way to stay hydrated and replace sodium lost from sweating. The snack industry takes this exact combination and applies it to everyday treats. Supermarkets stock their shelves with watermelon flavored chocolates, biscuits, and soft candies. They almost always include a hint of sea salt to balance the sweetness and recreate that classic summer routine.
On the savory side, July means heavy sauce-covered street foods. Takoyaki, yakisoba, and grilled corn are the main items you find at any local matsuri. Because people cannot always attend a festival, snack brands release potato chips and puffed corn coated in the exact savory sauces used at these food stalls. It gives shoppers a quick way to experience the taste of a summer night out to having to stand outside in the heat.
Want to celebrate the summer like a Japanese local? We carry different varieties of mochi and a large range of summer sweets that capture the season. From shaved ice gummies to classic festival snacks, you can find exactly what you need to experience July in Japan. Check out our collection to see the full lineup!
