Shirokuma is a type of kakigōri (shaved ice) that originated in Kagoshima Prefecture with the shaved ice usually flavoured with condensed milk, fruits (mandarin, cherries, pineapple and raisins), and anko. This Kagoshima Yutaka Shirokuma Pudding provides a less freezing way to enjoy the flavours of this iconic summertime dessert during the cooler months.

Like the marriage of fruity and creamy flavours in a freshly made shirokuma from Kagoshima, this one contained skim milk powder, Sakurajima komikan juice, melon purée, cherry juice, and apple juice.

The pudding is an opaque white colour with orange, red and green jellies within as well as a sweet aroma of condensed milk. Served chilled, the white pudding has a soft, squishy creaminess with a hint of dairy that’s very much like the promised pudding and not at all like the bounce of the jellies we’ve enjoyed in similar packaging. The jellies lend a gentle acidic fruitiness — but not much additional texture — to the flavour of the pudding, with the orange cube taking on a distinctive sweet citrus flavour. Overall, we enjoyed the novelty of having a pudding version of the frozen dessert outside of summer, but found the creamy pudding texture to be a touch too odd for our palates.

This Kagoshima Yutaka Shirokuma Pudding contained 4 pieces. It was produced in Japan and purchased in Kagoshima, Japan in 2019.