It’s been probably 6 years since I subscribed to Kokoro Cares Seasonal Tastes and my apologies for writing a review just now. I always get excited whenever I open the packages and look forward to trying out different recipes from all the items in the box. Since majority of the items can be found in the Michi no Eki section, I have left reviews for the items found in this box there. For Fall 2024, we received the Back to School Bento theme which included Egoma Karinto Snack, Mochi Mochi Chewy Sesame Tofu, Sanbaizu Vinegar Blend, Spinach & Cabbage Freeze-Dried Miso Soup, Adzuki Rice Syrup Biscuits, Octopus Rice, Katsuo Furikake, Simmered Hijiki Seaweed, Takana (pickled mustard greens), Milk Peach Drink Mix,Premium Teriyaki Sauce, and a gift of Chopsticks & Spoon set. If you are on the fence about ordering this package, do not hesitate! The qualities of every single items are guaranteed to impress you for a very long time! Thank you Kokoro Cares team for all your hard and I look forward to our long journeys together.

I have greatly enjoyed the recent Picnic Box. I try to challenge myself to use all the items in each box before the next box comes. I especially had fun with the savory granola using it to make korokke, gratin and toppings for Caesar salad. The Shoji pasta was also great fun and I used it to make a smoked tofu and ume ponzu pasta salad as well as in the gratin. The daikon oroshi was surprisingly fresh and easy to use without the mess of when I make oroshi myself. The Katsuo dashi pepper has also been a lot of fun. Not fishy at all but smoky and savory. I used it in the gratin, korokke and a pea shoot pesto for that extra little bit of flavor. Finally the texture of the weeet potatoes is satisfyingly chewy , toast them in a toaster oven and add the soy bean jam and sesame for a yummy treat! Or today I had English muffin, soy jam salted butter and fresh strawberries. Wow what a combo !

I love these boxes that arrive every three months as they always give me a little push to go beyond my cooking habits by trying something new that I’ve never seen and most likely never tasted before. I love that there is always good variation: some products are snacks that I can eat without preparation, others are instant products that only need some hot water (like a soup). There are spice blends, special sauces and interesting fermented seasonings. Then there are items that you can make a part of a beautiful Japanese style multi bowl meal. Most of these would be near if not completely impossible to get here in Germany. Every box is differently themed which makes them even more exciting.

My brother is impossible to buy gifts for. He gets himself whatever he needs and he doesn't want any more "things" in his house so gifts should ideally always be consumable. But there are only so many bars of soap or nice bottles of wine you can buy a person! He does, however, love traveling in Japan and trying new things. I knew that a cheap candy or snack-forward gift box from Japan would make him smile but would not delight him. I am really grateful that this carefully-chosen box truly delighted him. I don't think I've ever had the ability to make his day to the extent that the arrival of this box did. I think he particularly likes that he can try things at home that he didn't know, and then maybe look for them more the next time he's in Japan. Thank you!

Reminds me of being back living in rural Japan :)