Last Updated on March 21, 2022 by Jim Edwards
Botan Rice Candy is a Japanese brand of candy. It also goes by the name Bontan Ame in Japan. It is one of the few candies from an Asian country that is quite popular in America.
The candy has a jelly-like consistency. It has a chewy core and is wrapped with crunchy rice paper. Each candy is individually wrapped. The rice paper dissolves in your mouth the moment it mixes with your saliva. Every box of candies contains stickers and prizes inside for the kids. So this has long been a favorite candy with the little ones!
Contents
History of Botan Rice Candy
Botan Rice Candy was curated in Japan in 1924 by Seika Foods. During the 1920s, Japan saw more and more westernized candies in its markets. It became popular amongst the elite colonies and soon spread across the masses. Botan Rice candy’s packaging was intentionally designed to mimic the packaging of caramel candies from the West.
The candy is imported to North America by JFC International from Japan. It was a huge hit in America during the 70s. The children loved the unique taste and would often be seen collecting the stickers. The packaging of the candy has remained unchanged for decades.
What is the Taste and Flavor of Botan Rice Candy like?
The candies are cubic in shape. They are very soft and chewy. They are citrusy in flavor, a combination of orange and lemon flavors, and have an external coating of rice paper (Oblaat). The rice paper looks like plastic when dry, but it is completely edible. It dissolves in your mouth the moment it lands on your tongue.
Initially, it feels like a piece of chewing gum. As you progress chewing, it disintegrates quickly and dissolves, leaving a pleasant taste in your mouth. Botan rice candy is a traditional Japanese candy. Each box contains a surprise sticker inside it.
Related: Jujubes – Fruity and Chewy Candy
Ingredients of Botan Rice Candy
Botan Rice candy ingredients are Glucose Syrup (water, corn starch), Sugar, Sweet Rice, Lemon Flavor, Orange Flavor, Water, FD&C Red Number 40 (Allura Red AC). All the ingredients are organic and GMO free.
Nutritional Facts of Botan Rice Candy
Serving a size of 15 g contains 60 calories. The nutritional facts are mentioned below.
| % Daily Value | |
| Total Fat (0 g) | 0% |
| Saturated Fat (0 g) | 0% |
| Trans Fat (0 g) | 0% |
| Cholesterol (0 mg) | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate (14 g) | 5% |
| Dietary Fiber (0 g) | 0% |
| Sugar (2 g) | – |
| Sodium (0 mg) | 0% |
| Protein (0 g) | 0% |
| Vitamin A (0 mg) | 0% |
| Vitamin C (0 mg) | 0% |
| Calcium (0 mg) | 0% |
Also see our review of Red Vines – a childhood licorice favorite of most people!
Botan Rice Candy – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is Botan Rice Candy Gluten-free?
All the ingredients of the candy are organic. The product does not contain any eggs or MSG. There is no trace of milk, dairy, soy, peanuts, or nuts of any kind. There are no artificial ingredients or flavors. The Botan Rice candy is vegan and gluten-free.
How many calories are there is a box of Botan Rice Candy?
A 21 g (3/4 oz) box of Botan Rice candy contains 12 candy pieces. The 12 candies collectively have 84 calories in them.
If you like these rice candies you will probably also like candy necklaces
Image Credit: “Botan Rice Cancy” by lore is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
I’m Jim Edwards and I started this website to share my love of Junk Food. We cover new junk food, desserts, snack foods, fast food secret menus, candy (of course!) and other related news. We love trying “secret menus” at restaurants. And we love trying new products too. So, we are trying to have some fun with our hobby and share some useful information with you, our community. Please feel to send us your suggestions and feedback through the contact form. And if you have products you would like us to try, let us know…!