When it comes to souvenirs from Hokkaido, Ishiya Seika's "Shiroi Koibito" is a name that always comes up. Since its release in 1976, this Western-style confection has been loved for a long time for its exquisite combination of fragrant langue de chat and chocolate. In this article, we will take a closer look at the secret story behind the creation of "Shiroi Koibito" and the commitment to maintaining its unchanging deliciousness since its release.

The familiar "Shiroi Koibito" is a representative Hokkaido souvenir, both now and in the past.

Crispy, fragrant cookies and sweet white chocolate. Whether you've been to Hokkaido or not, most people have probably tried it at least once.

Ishiya Confectionery launched Shiroi Koibito in 1976. Until then, it was a small candy manufacturer that produced sweets such as drops and fresh confections. In the late 1960s, major confectionery manufacturers began to expand into Hokkaido one after another. Ishiya Confectionery was no exception to the threat of bankruptcy.

So, second-generation owner Ishimizu Isao decided to make a complete 180-degree change from making cheap snacks. He decided to make high-end Western-style sweets using high-quality ingredients from Hokkaido. This is how Shiroi Koibito, Ishiya Confectionery's signature confection and a Hokkaido souvenir, was born.

Beautifully browned langue de chat with no unevenness

Nearly 50 years after its release, Shiroi Koibito continues to be beloved, but maintaining its deliciousness is no easy task. The chocolate is sandwiched between langue de chat, a traditional French baked confectionery. Langue de chat is known for its light and crispy texture, but achieving this texture is no easy task.

Carefully baked while adjusting the temperature and humidity

Baking is so delicate that the oven temperature can change depending on the weather. Even a slight difference in the order or timing of adding ingredients, or the temperature or specific gravity of the dough, can change the texture. This is why meticulous checks are required at each and every step of the process.

Once the langue de chat cookies are baked, they are sandwiched with the original Shiroi Koibito chocolate while still hot. Once cooled, they become a Shiroi Koibito, a fusion of crispy langue de chat cookies and smooth chocolate.

This is the packaging that comes to mind when you think of "Shiroi Koibito." The canned version is a popular souvenir.

The packaging features a picture of Mount Rishiri, a magnificent mountain in Hokkaido. The Swiss mountain range-like scenery reflects the desire to create European-style sweets and the love for Hokkaido. The fact that each piece is individually wrapped makes it a great souvenir.

The classic white (left) and the slightly less sweet black (right)

Ishiya Seika has become one of Hokkaido's leading confectionery manufacturers, and continues to work tirelessly to develop a variety of related products using Shiroi Koibito white chocolate. At Shiroi Koibito Park in Nishi Ward, you can see the Shiroi Koibito production line and learn about the history of chocolate, so it might be worth a visit for anyone wanting to learn more about Shiroi Koibito and Ishiya Seika.

Shiroi Koibito Park in Nishi-ku, Sapporo is one of Sapporo's most famous tourist spots.

*Prices include tax. Information is current as of the time of publication. *The information posted may be subject to change, so please check the official website for the latest information.