Kohakutou Crystal Gummy Candy

Kohakutou is a Japanese candy made from Agar Agar. It is made by pouring flavored jelly into a dish and allowing it to set before cutting or tearing into crystal shapes. The candy develops a crunchy outer crust after a few days but remains delightfully chewy inside.

Prep time: PT5M

Cook time: PT6M

Rating

4.82 stars (105 reviews)

Keywords

candy, gummy, kohakutou

Ingredients

12 grams agar agar ((telephone brand))
14 ounces cool water
24 ounces sugar
1/4 teaspoon candy flavoring
1/8 teaspoon citric acid (optional - adds a tart flavor )
3 drops liquid food coloring (I used Americolor airbrush color)

Cuisine

Japanese

Steps

Place cool water into a medium-sized saucepan
Sprinkle agar agar powder over the water and let it absorb for 5 minutes
Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes stirring constantly with a spatula
Sprinkle in your sugar and continue cooking for another 2-3 minutes
Remove from the heat and add in candy flavoring and citric acid
Pour the mixture into a heatproof, glass dish that has been lightly oiled to prevent sticking
Add a few drops of liquid food coloring on top and swirl with a toothpick. You can blend fully or leave it streaked
Place the container into the fridge for 2-3 hours until set
Remove the set gummy from the container and cut into crystal shapes using a sharp knife
Place the crystal gummies onto a parchment covered cookie sheet and let dry at room temperature for 2-3 days until a hard crust forms on the outside

Nutitrion

Serving Size: 5 crystals
Calories: 53 kcal
Carbohydrates: 14 g
Protein: 1 g
Fat: 1 g
Saturated Fat: 1 g
Sodium: 1 mg
Sugar: 14 g

Reviews

Kaitlyn on 2025-07-31 (5 stars):
I made this recipe! I used round Oreo cookie molds to make them uniform shape, and then carved them to look like crystals. I used the extra bits to top the crystals and make them look more aesthetic. So lovely! Waiting on them to dry now.
Zoe on 2025-05-28 (5 stars):
Can I use gel food coloring instead of liquid?
Jessica on 2021-02-28 (5 stars):
Just took mine out of the fridge and they are AWESOME! I am so excited to bake some cupcakes and show these off at work. My students are going to go nuts! I used LorAnnOils green apple flavoring with the citric acid, and I would definitely use more of both next time (I like a super pronounced sour flavor) and I think I overdid it on the food coloring, but they worked beautifully and I am so pleased!
Amy Estes on 2020-12-10 (2 stars):
I want to love this but it flopped, Not once but three times. Followed the recipe exactly and weighed my ingredients. So bummed.
Dawn on 2020-11-11 (5 stars):
1tablespoon = 12.78 grams, if that helps any.
Becky on 2020-10-28 (5 stars):
Great recipe! Followed to a “T” but used the agar powder I had in my cabinet instead of telephone brand. Turned out awesome! Would suggest increasing citric acid and flavoring up to 3x the amount as turned out weak tasting. Great visual affect though :) Thanks for the awesome recipe!!
Caroljup on 2020-10-20 (5 stars):
Love All Your Work, You Are The Best Girrlll!!!, Can You Add The Flavored Candy Oil!!!, Thanks Again!!