Kasugai Sumiyaki Japanese Roasted Coffee Candy, 3.35 oz (Pack of 3)

I bought the Kasugai Charcoal Roasted Coffee Candy (炭焼珈琲キャンディ) after seeing the mixed reviews and decided to try it myself. It is absolutely delicious and tastes just like a perfectly brewed, rich cup of coffee — deep, roasted, slightly smoky from the charcoal roast, with zero bitterness. The flavor is strong and authentic; each piece melts smoothly in your mouth and leaves a satisfying coffee aftertaste. I keep a pack in my bag for an afternoon pick-me-up instead of grabbing another espresso. If you love coffee candy (think stronger than Werther’s or even some Japanese coffee drops), this one is a winner.Why the negative reviews are misleading (ingredients + Prop 65 explained):The packaging is in Japanese, so a lot of people misread or panic at the ingredients list and the California Prop 65 warning. Here’s a clear, step-by-step breakdown of every ingredient straight from the back of the bag so you know exactly what you’re getting:Glucose Syrup – A common candy base made from starch. It gives the hard candy its smooth, glassy texture and prevents it from getting grainy. Sugar – Plain table sugar for sweetness. Coffee Extract + Instant Coffee – This is the real deal! Concentrated coffee from actual roasted beans. These are what make it taste like genuine coffee instead of just “coffee-flavored.” Edible Oil and Fat (Palm, Soybean, Rapeseed) – Tiny amounts of plant oils used to carry the coffee flavor evenly and keep the candy from sticking during manufacturing. Natural and Artificial Flavor – Extra flavor boosters. “Natural” comes from real sources; the artificial ones are food-grade and used in almost every flavored candy on the market for consistency. Polyglycerol Esters of Fatty Acids – A safe, plant-derived emulsifier that helps blend the oils and water-based ingredients so the candy stays smooth and uniform. Soy Lecithin – Another common emulsifier from soybeans (that’s why it says “Contains Soybeans”). It’s the same stuff used in chocolate and most baked goods to keep everything mixed. Mold Lubricant Oil (Rapeseed, Soybeans) – A food-grade release agent (like a tiny bit of cooking spray) so the hot candy doesn’t stick to the molds when it’s being formed. It’s rinsed off and only trace amounts remain. That’s literally it. No mystery chemicals — just standard candy-making ingredients you’ll find in 99% of hard candies, plus real coffee.About the Prop 65 warning: This is a California law that requires a warning label if a product contains even tiny trace amounts of substances that could cause issues at extremely high doses (like lead, cadmium, or acrylamide). Coffee — real roasted coffee — naturally contains trace acrylamide from the roasting process, and many imported foods pick up minute traces from soil or processing equipment. The amounts here are well below levels that health agencies worldwide consider risky for normal snacking. You’ll see the exact same warning on tons of coffee, chocolate, nuts, and even some baby foods sold in California. It’s not a safety issue — it’s a legal label.The bag I received is fresh (best-by 2026.09) and imported by a reputable company. At this price it’s a fantastic value — three servings per bag, 120 calories per 30 g serving, and way more satisfying than most coffee candies I’ve tried.Bottom line: If you enjoy coffee-flavored sweets, stop reading the scared reviews and just buy it. It tastes like real coffee in candy form. I’ll be repurchasing! (Feel free to tweak any wording, add your own photos of the open bag if you want, or shorten it. This should help future buyers understand what they’re actually getting.) Enjoy your coffee candy!

Have to say these really pack a punch if you need an energy boost! They also taste really good, not way too sweet and strong enough to wake you up but not so strong to where it's not enjoyable. It's a good sized candy and the texture is nice for a hard candy and it's worth the money for a 3 pack.

Very tasty. Slightly bitter coffee flavor, slightly sweet.

These are real good hard coffee candies. Good energy burst. Your mouth will actually taste like coffee.

I love the bag that it comes in and I like how they are individually wrapped in a cute package, but it is sealed asymmetrically so it’s personally annoys me a bit. I knew what I was signing up for when it said a dark roast coffee but it is very strong. It still taste good but the sticker on the back stating “Warning: Consuming this product can expose you to chemicals including acrylamide, which is known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.” That was quite terrifying to read while half way through my third candy. But after some research I found out that it is normal and only consuming large amount over a short period of time is harmful. Overall, if your a big coffee person and aren’t scared about the slight risk I say go for it.

Sumiyaki coffee candy is the best. If you like a stronger coffee taste than kopico these do not disappoint. Very yummy!

I have been searching for a coffee candy that actually taste like coffee and not sweet. This is it! A hint of sweetness, but very very little. I drink my coffee black and this is right up my alley. Best part is my wife doesn't like it, because she puts a bunch of crap in her coffee. So more for me. Definitely will be purchasing on a regular basis.

This candy tastes great! If you enjoy a stronger coffee flavor that's also pretty sweet, this candy is for you! It's not a good value though because, although there are 3 bags, there are only 14 pieces per bag. So, essentially 10 bucks for 42 pieces of candy. I normally wouldn't spend that much on candy but this is the best coffee candy we've tried.