Kohakutou

Jelly jewels? Candy crystals? No matter how you describe them, these sweet treats are pretty amazing.

SUPPLIES

An 8×8 baking pan or silicone molds

A medium saucepan

A spatula

A sharp knife

A toothpick

INGREDIENTS

12 grams (1/2 packet) Telephone brand agar agar

397 g (14 ounces) cool water

680 g (24 ounces) sugar

1/4 teaspoon candy flavoring

1/8 teaspoon citric acid

3 drops each of 2 or 3 different liquid food colorings


DIRECTIONS

Grease an 8×8 baking pan or use silicone molds.

Place the water into a medium-sized saucepan

Sprinkle the Telephone brand 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 the sugar and continue cooking for another 2-3 minutes.

Remove the pan from the heat and add in the candy flavoring and citric acid.

Pour the mixture into the baking pan and/or mold.

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.

Let them dry at room temperature until a hard shell forms on the outside. The directions I found online said to let it set for 2 or three days, but I wasn’t really happy with it until it sat for 6 days.