This is the Morinaga Koeda Marugoto Lemon, made using 1.4% lemon in the form of powdered whole fruit. The packaging was in collaboration wtih Japanese leaf-cutting artist, Lito.
Each box contained 11 individually wrapped packs, with four pieces per pack. Each piece resembled a small branch — hence the name koeda — measuring approximately 4.3 × 0.7 × 0.5 cm. The pieces had a pastel yellow hue with small white nubbly protrusions that enhanced the branch-like appearance. The aroma carried a sweet-tart lemon note.
On tasting, the surface gave a light crispness as the white chocolate coating fractured, leading into the rice crisps embedded within. The flavour opened with creamy, milky notes from the white chocolate, which initially carried much of the lemon flavour. As the chocolate began to melt, the lemon developed more clearly, presenting a fresh citrus character with a gentle zesty lift through the body of the bite. The rice crisps retained their structure, contributing a faintly grainy texture toward the finish.
The lemon profile was clean and recognisable, though relatively mild against the sweetness of the white chocolate. A stronger tang or sharper acidity would have created a clearer contrast and lifted the citrus further.
Overall, a pleasant white chocolate and rice crisp confection with light lemon brightness, though the citrus remains somewhat restrained.
This Morinaga Koeda Marugoto Lemon contained 59.4 g (5.4 g x 11 packs). It was produced in Japan and purchased in Sydney, Australia in 2025.