Last Updated on March 20, 2023
Here we will show you exactly how to make konpeito, a delicious Japanese candy. These are perfect for parties or to satisfy your sweet tooth.
For this recipe, it will help if you have some type of prior confectionery-making experience. However, our step-by-step guide is so simple that anyone can give it a try! You don’t need any special equipment to make these konpeito candies at home, just a lot of patience.
These candies do take some time to make but if worth the wait. Once finished, you have beautifully colored and incredibly tasty candies that will leave your friends drooling!
What Is Konpeito Candy?
Konpeito, also commonly known as Japanese star candy, is a popular sugar candy that has a very unique shape and comes in a wide variety of colors and flavors. These candies are made by repeatedly covering a core with sugar syrup. This core was originally a poppy seed, but today, manufacturers use rock sugar crystals or sesame seeds.
This is quite a lengthy process and can take up to two weeks! While the core is ladled with syrup, the candies slowly rotate inside a large heated tub called a “dora”. The end product is unique and forms tiny bubble-like shapes on the surface, giving the candies their star-shaped appearance.
Despite having Portuguese origins, these candies have become a symbol of Japanese culture. They have appeared in numerous anime including the Pokemon series and the popular film, Spirited Away.
What You Will Need To Make This Konpeito Candy Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon large sugar granules
We prefer using some type of large sugar granules like rock candy for this konpeito recipe, simply because they are much easier to control and make the process much quicker compared to using a smaller core. If you are up to the challenge, you can use small sugar granules, poppy seeds, or sesame seeds.
- 1 cup white granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
- Food flavoring of your choice
- Food coloring of your choice
We recommend using either powdered food coloring or gel food coloring. The liquid food coloring will change the consistency of the syrup and will first need to be cooked out. The powdered coloring also has a more intense color and will give you beautifully bright candies.
Equipment
- Medium pot
- Small frying pan
- Stainless steel teaspoon
- Wooden spoon
Step-by-step instructions
Step 1: Make the sugar syrup
Combine the granulated white sugar and water in a medium pot over medium heat. As the syrup heats, stir the mixture with a stainless steel spoon until all of the sugar has dissolved. The stainless steel spoon is non-creative and will help prevent the formation of sugar crystals.
Once the sugar granules have dissolved, allow the mixture to simmer until it has reduced by half and you have a clear syrup. Remove it from the heat and set it aside.
Step 2: Prepare the cores
If you chose poppy seeds or sesame seeds, lightly toast them in the non-stick frying pan over very low heat. Do not toast or heat any sugar-based core as it will likely start to melt.
Step 3: Add the syrup to the core
Move the core to the side of the pan. Add about 1 teaspoon of syrup in the center of the pan, and gently roll the cores through it with the help of a wooden spoon. You can also spin the pan around if that is easier for you, but ensure that the entire core gets coated.
Keep spinning the cores into the syrup until all of the syrup is gone.
Step 4: Repeat step three
Keep adding syrup to the pan and spinning the cores until you have candies roughly between 5 to 10 mm in diameter. This entire process will take a lot of time so patience is key! You can end up spending 2 hours or the entire day depending on the speed you are going at, the amount you are making, and the size you want. So, grab a chair, pour yourself a nice drink, and put on your favorite show in the background to keep you entertained.
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How to make different konpeito flavors
Traditionally, despite coming in a wide variety of colors, the flavor was relatively the same and often simply sugar.
However, today there are hundreds of konpeito flavors, some of the most popular being strawberry, vanilla, peach, matcha, and mango. You can even create your very own flavor profile by combining flavors. We absolutely love strawberry mint, mango, and orange.
We highly recommend using extracts (or natural flavorings) instead of food flavorings or essences. These extracts are much more concentrated in flavor and also often have a lot more flavor options available.
Add the flavoring with the coloring when combining the sugar and water in the pot. Make sure to stir it to ensure it has been evenly distributed.
Tips and tricks for this Konpeito recipe
Our pro tip for making this konpeito recipe focuses on the temperatures you use throughout the process. When making the syrup, only use a medium temperature. If you boil the syrup too vigorously over high temperatures, it can potentially cause your sugar syrup to crystallize. But, if you don’t use a high enough temperature, your syrup will take forever to reduce.
Then, when coating the cores in the syrup, make sure that your pan is always slightly heated. If you work with a cold pan, your syrup will become hard and won’t be able to make thin and irregular coatings.
You should also always store your candy in an airtight container.
Servings and preparation time
| Preparation Time | Cooking Time | Servings |
| 10 minutes | 2-4 hours | 1 cup |
Where Can I Buy Konpeito Candy?
If you’re living in Japan, it’s much easier to buy Konpeito than anywhere else in the world. In fact, there’s a store in Kyoto which is known for being the only store that specializes in Konpeito and has been around for well over 150 years. It’s often incredibly busy as they stock a huge selection of flavors and seasonal varieties. If you’re anywhere else in the world, you may find Konpeito at a local Asian store or stockist.
If this is not the case, it’s super easy to order from online stores such as Japan Candy Store. Even Amazon now sells Konpeito candy – and the best part is that it usually comes with free delivery!
Does Konpeito Expire?
Like all foods, Konpeito does expire. However, most of the time no candy will become unsafe to eat without you realizing it. Major changes will happen to the taste and texture of Konpeito when it is truly inedible.
Typically, all candy, including Konpeito will have an expiry date or a best-before date. As a general rule of thumb, most candy is okay anywhere from 6-12 months after purchase. Just keep an eye out for any changes from that time to be safe.
Where Did Konpeito Originate?
Konpeito has now been around for hundreds of years and we most commonly associate these star-shaped candies with Japan. However, they originally came from Portugal! There was a man named Luis Frois who bought these delicious treats over to Japan and the Japanese delicacy grew from there.
Before they become Konpeito, they were known as “confeitos”. Hundreds of years ago they were seen as a luxury, and nowadays that is still the case! These Japanese sweets are now crafted by Japanese artisans and are made using sticky rice and sugar. It can take anywhere from two to three weeks to create these small candies.
While they started with just a handful of flavors, they now have a staggering 50 flavors to choose from. Whether you like coconut or cherry, there’s something for everyone. They even offer seasonal varieties too.
The love for Konpeito continues to grow and even appears in popular Japanese games such as Super Mario Glazy, Legend of Zelda, Animal Crossing, and even Pokémon! Keep an eye out for them when you next play these much-loved games.
Why is Konpeito So Expensive?
When Konpeito was first introduced to Japan, in the 16th century, sugar was seen as a luxury and a rarity. For this reason, this candy was expensive to make and often only enjoyed on special occasions. They are made using high amounts of sugar, which also contributes to the price.
As well as this, these star-shaped sweets are crafted by artisans and can take as long as three weeks to make. Flavors like red wine and white wine Konpeito are some of the most expensive and decadent! Some of the more affordable varieties include black tea, coffee, chocolate, and caramel.
Incredibly delicious Konpeito Candy
This is an incredibly tasty treat that is very easy to make despite taking some time. You can even use the different flavors of konpeito and colors on different occasions to help emphasize your theme!
If you enjoyed this article or have any questions feel free to comment below. And, don’t forget to share this recipe with your family and friends to see what unique treats they come up with!
How To Make Konpeito Candy At Home
Equipment
- Medium pot
- Small frying pan
- Stainless steel teaspoon
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon large sugar granules
- 1 cup white granulated sugar
- 1 cup water
- Food flavoring of your choice
- Food coloring of your choice
Instructions
- Make the sugar syrup.Combine the granulated white sugar and water in the medium pot over medium heat. As the syrup heats, stir the mixture with a stainless steel spoon until all of the sugar has dissolved. The stainless steel spoon is non-creative and will help prevent the formation of sugar crystals.Once the sugar granules has dissolved, allow the mixture to simmer until it has reduced by half and you have a clear syrup. Remove it from the heat and set it aside.1 cup white granulated sugar, 1 cup water, Food flavoring of your choice, Food coloring of your choice
- Prepare the cores.We prefer using some type of large sugar granules like rock candy for this konpeito recipe, simply because they are much easier to control and makes the process much quicker compared to using a smaller core. If you are feeling up to the challenge, you can use small sugar granules, poppy seeds, or sesame seeds.If you chose poppy seeds or sesame seeds, lightly toast them in the non-stick frying pan over very low heat. Do not toast or heat any sugar-based core as it will likely start to melt.1 tablespoon large sugar granules
- Add the syrup to the core.Move the core to the side of the pan. Add about 1 teaspoon of syrup in the center of the pan, and gently roll the cores through it with the help of a wooden spoon. You can also spin the pan around if that is easier for you, but ensure that the entire core gets coated.Keep spinning the cores into the syrup until all of the syrup is gone.
- Repeat step three.Keep adding syrup to the pan and spinning the cores until you have candies roughly between 5 to 10 mm in diameter. This entire process will take a lot of time so patience is key! You can end up spending 2 hours or the entire day depending on the speed you are going at, the amount you are making, and the size you want. So, grab a chair, pour yourself a nice drink, and put on your favorite show in the background to keep you entertained.
Notes
Lindy Van Schalkwyk is a culinary specialist with a background in Advanced Cooking, Advanced Pâtisserie, Media Communications and Nutrition. She has gained invaluable experience in the culinary industry having worked in some of the top restaurants in Africa in 2016 and 2017. Her expertise in nutrition has enabled her to develop recipes for special dietary needs. In 2018, Lindy began working in the Food Media industry, focusing on recipe development, recipe writing, food writing and food styling.