Every spring in Japan when the sakura trees bloom the National Cherry Blossom Festival takes place, bringing in tourists for this special time of year. The bold, beautiful, pink hues aren’t just for viewing—but also consuming, as cherry blossom flavored treats tend to pop up like wildfire.
Everywhere in Japan—from Starbucks to McDonald’s—stores roll out their pink snacks for the occasion, and this year the Japanese convenience store Lawson is more than ready, revealing their celebratory offerings before the season even begins. This year Lawson has created their own version of the famed water cake. While water cake is popular in Japan, Americans seem to take an exception to identifying a clear blob as cake. The see-through dessert is Mizu Shingen Mochi, clear, jelly-like, and futuristically translucent, Lawson’s version is infused with the beauty of springtime cherry blossoms.
Lawson’s desserts are made with natural ingredients and this pink treat is created by scenting the jelly with cherry petal extract that is distilled from domestic cherry blossom petals. It’s topped off with festive gold powder, and only costs 150 yen, around $1.39 in US dollars. It’s also 88 calories because invisible desserts are about as low-calorie as you can get.
In Japan this dessert is known as “pururun” or jiggly, shakeable jelly that “feels good going down your throat,” an interesting way to describe and sell food, to say the least. The word is also known to fans of the anime Pururun! Shizuku-chan, a story about little raindrop sprites. Is it a coincidence that this cherry blossom water cake looks similar to Ururoi, the happy, pink sprite in the series? Most likely, but if you love anime and snacks, this dessert combines cuteness with pink pastel pleasure.
Cherry blossom season runs from March to mid-April in Japan, and Lawson has jumped the gun and started selling this seasonal delicacy as of today.
Does a cherry blossom infused water cake sound like the dessert of the future? Let us know in the comments and if you’re lucky enough to try one, please tag @nerdist and @justjenn on twitter so we can live vicariously through you.
Want More Water Cakes? OF COURSE YOU DO:
- This one’s shaped like a cat.
- Here’s the original water cake.
- And finally, make your own with this recipe!
