Origin Sugar Company - Raw, Unrefined Japanese "Kokuto" Black Sugar from Hateruma Island - Whole Cane Sugar (500 grams)

I didn't know what brown sugar was until trying this. The stuff I have been using all my life is just a bag of sugar with molasses! Literally! I did multiple taste tests with son and husband involved. I had traditional brown and several taiwan black/brown sugars I got from the local Asian markets. 5 different sugars or 7 if I add the two I already have. We all agreed this one has more organic molasses flavor, depth, character.. whatever you want to call it. We got good at identifying which ones were white sugar and molasses mixed without reading the back. One of the Taiwan sugars did impress and I will keep that one for the dishes that I want brown sugar for instead of using this highly prized and expensive (I might add) one on everything. I used this one to make Boba. Though it sort of boils out in the pot so it really helps when used as the syrup. Now we use it in tea and gosh...Earl Grey steeped with some of this added then I let it sit for another minute or two for the flavor to blend...I think this will make any old Earl Grey better. Ginger tea and lemon too! Since we use it sparingly I haven't made other things but I already know it will make anything better. We even enjoy nibbling at it straight...we tried that with the others and it's not the same... others are like eating a spoonful of sugar ( what did I expect!) I even compared to Muscovado (mscv) sugar (yeah I brought everything!) and they are definitely different tastes. Depending on what you are doing mscv could work better because it has a slight bitter (like coffee can have) edge. Muscovado has a stronger personality that I found was more pronounced in the boba after boiling it. It was just as good but different. I'm sure I will find good use for mscv like cookies or brownies would work well...it's not as smooth in it's molasses taste as this japanese sugar. But it is cheaper... In conclusion I am sold on this for my brown sugar needs where I want the sugar to shine ( syrups, tea, sprinkled on some thing...I don't know what yet). If a recipe calls for a tablespoon or so I might use it to try it out because this really changes things. But if a cupful will get buried in the recipe I will use my substitute. Enjoy!

I had a bit of an issue with shipping, but once I finally received it I’m very happy. Makes the perfect brown sugar milk tea. I made it into a simple syrup then added it to the Trader Joe’s black tea concentrate or homemade, and filled about half the cup with milk. I would repurchase again as a treat or a gift for a foodie friend. It has a really nice salty taste and somewhat mineral-y but not in a gross harsh way. Obviously it’s a bit expensive but I haven’t seen a better deal for black sugar that’s actually from Japan- though it’s not actually from Okinawa

Delicious and strongly mineral. You can smell it when you open the bag. Mostly granular but with a few lumps, but I like to think of them as pre-formed sweets for me. Put about 1/4 this and 3/4 Western brown sugar in a brown sugar syrup recipe for perfect boba syrup. It is pricey for sugar, one may think, but a little goes a long way.

This sugar is unlike any other. It has a very unique smell and flavor. I don't add sugar to my coffee but this makes dark coffee shine as the flavors play so well together. It can be used for savory cooking and applications as well. For those who are wondering, the package says Wisconsin because that's where the company is not where the sugar is harvested.

I first tried this sugar at a boutique coffee shop in my neighborhood and I was blown away!! This is next-level good in just black coffee but after hearing they made their latte syrups out of this too, I had to buy a bag. I was regularly spending $40 on this same bag of sugar (it's seriously addictingly good and I feel like I can't start my day without my kokuto coffee) until I stopped being an idiot and googled this company and discovered them on amazon! Honestly was willing to pay the premium for this and delighted that I can keep enjoying them. I do not go to that coffee shop anymore -- they are inflating their prices too much!

SMoothest flavor of any brown sugar I have ever tried. It is now my preferred sugar for coffee.

This has a brown sugar, molasses, honey caramel flavor that is mellow yet unique. Great to sprinkle on a custard,flan or muffin

The color seems a little light.... But it is great sugar. I love it for coffee, it makes my coffee taste "creamier" than usual, it also intensifies my Earl gray tea... the sugar doesn't dissolve as easily as I want. I still question the color. The price for this listing needs adjusting too, it's cheaper to buy TWO 1lbs bags than ONE 2lbs bag.