Traditional Japanese Snacks / Candy pair beautifully with any kind of Japanese tea. Like the French "Amuse-Bouche" their purpose is to amuse the mouth or palate, in this case, while drinking green tea. Since 16th century Japan, they have been refined and improved upon over hundreds of years to create absolute harmony of flavor between the green tea and the delicious sweet confection or savory snack. Such as the feeling you get when you have green tea and sushi together, your palate understands that this is an ideal match of flavor.

Artisans began development of Japanese tea ceremony snacks and candy in the 16th century under advisement by Rikyu Sen. Before that time, snacks and candy were only used for religious offering at the altar. Rules of the Japanese tea ceremony governed that Matcha should be served with confections or candy because Matcha at that time was more bitter than high quality Matcha of today. The ingredients were very precious, so that their addition to the tea ceremony contributed to the depth of pleasure and noble ambience. Traditional Japanese confections and candy were usually made from sugar, rice and rice syrup, wheat, and azuki or soy beans, by reasons of historic context. It was not until after the 20th century that egg and milk were used in Japanese confections. Green tea connoisseurs and artisans have continually strived to perfect the art of the tea ceremony snack so that it is the ideal complement in flavor to green tea.

Tea ceremony had strictly required expressing the beauty of nature or four seasons of Japan in confections. The intricate, colorful, and stunningly beautiful confections were created by skilled craftsmen and ingredients were all extremely rare and precious at that time. Tea ceremony confections including OHIGASHI were also called artifice confection and were available only to lords, affluent samurai, and prosperous merchants. More reasonable snacks and candy for the public were developed over time. Like the snacks for nobility, snacks for everyday folk were developed in Kyoto too, the heartland of tea ceremony, and these special snacks along with green tea from Kyoto have always held a special place in the hearts of all Japanese people.

Some of our premium snacks and candies, follow traditional thought and roles, and are made by traditional methods, taking a great deal of time and using only carefully selected ingredients. To develop them, we, Hibiki-an, partner with the best artisans in Kyoto who are willing to make special efforts.

Experience the absolute harmony between green tea and the delicious sweet confection or savory snack - your mouth will understand that this is an ideal match of flavor.

We at Hibiki-an added eight Japanese confectioneries which are all only available in winter. Our carefully selected items for winter confections amuse your mouth very much, and perfectly match with Japanese green tea. GOMA MOCHI rice cake and plum glace are unique texture. Japanese traditional confection of MONAKA and KUROMAME glace also provide their original flavor. Kuzu Balls, KOUJI SOBA BOLO and Dried Fruits has light texture and its aroma linger in your mouth. Rich flavor and mellow aroma of Matcha chocolate lingers on the palate and has a lovely finish.
We are certain that they will all completely please your taste bud. Please take a look! We are certain that they will all completely please your taste bud. Please take a look!