Kohakutou Gummy Crystals | Japanese Candy Made From Agar Agar

Kohakutou is a Japanese candy made from Agar Agar and translates to “amber candy”. Kohakutou is made by pouring flavored jelly into a dish and allowing it to set before cutting or tearing into crystal shapes. The candy develops a crunchy outer crust after a few days but remains delightfully chewy inside.
BLOG POST ►sugargeekshow....
RECIPE ►
12 grams agar agar (telephone brand)
14 ounces cool water
24 ounces sugar
1/4 teaspoon candy flavoring
1/8 teaspoon citric acid optional - adds a tart flavor
3 drops liquid food coloring
SUBSCRIBE ► www.youtube.co...
WATCH RECIPES ► • Sculpting Rice Cereal ...
WATCH CAKE TUTORIALS ► • Pokemon Topper Pikac...
Facebook Page: / sugargeekshow
Online Cake Tutorial School: sugargeekshow.com
Instagram: / sugargeekshow

[@caeruleumluna9630]

My GF studies geology. And this couldn't bring more smile than I could ever imagined out of her -- thanks for the recipe sharing.

[@fluffypenguinbabe]

Made these last night and they already look cool! I had no citric acid or candy flavouring, but remembered I had a few sachets of vanilla sugar. So I made a small batch (a quarter of the recipe) which worked out being 40g vanilla sugar + 130g plain sugar and the tiny bits I've tested so far taste nice! And my kitchen smells of vanilla.

[@YACOUT2009]

I tried this recipe yesterday. the crystals are beautiful !! thank you sooooo much for sharing with us !!

[@averygreen6888]

Hey! i have a question haha, how many packets of agar agar did you use?

[@shamimaakter917]

How did it taste like?

[@ronamartinez1406]

@@shamimaakter917 very sweeet

[@shamimaakter917]

@@ronamartinez1406 😍😍😍

[@littlesugar2256]

Sorry, what is agar agar

[@poopenlicht6448]

THANK YOU! Will be making these soon! I would've really loved to hear the crunch of the break or even during chewing. Not for ASMR reasons, just to see how crunchy this recipe really gets them.

[@yeslin7319]

It all depends on how long you let them dry or sit for I’m pretty sure🤷🏽‍♀️.

[@laurahilal1910]

Love this no gelatin Gummies!!! 👍🏼👍🏼

[@greentwinkle]

Same! I really like it because I don’t eat gelatin and this is an amazing recipe that I can’t wait to try!

[@brenttesterman1198]

I am completely blown away at the gorgeous aesthetics of these crystals! I've only known about your channel for about a week, and I have fallen head over heels, in love with the content and how you present it! Thank you so much. Peace

[@SugarGeekShow]

Brent Testerman thanks so much!! Welcome to the sugar geek fam! Be sure to check out my blog www.sugargeekshow.com and join the sugar geek show Facebook group if you’re interested! 😄

[@dinnerlydiaries3604]

My sister really loves crystals things.. She said to me that i need to by crystals when her graduation day comes but i don't have enough money so, I need to make this :D thanks a lot for the recipe! love ittt!,🥰

[@meninjulia]

Love it! Amazing as always!

[@Liv182Libra]

Could I infuse this recipie with canna butter or would it mess with the texture?

[@xxindigoAphrodithexx]

Thanks, Sugar Geek! Btw it's 400ml water 12 g agar 600-650g sugar 1 g citric acid ... in case anyone was wondering 🫠

[@joesena9658]

I've tried Sugar Geek an your recipe to a science n yet the shell isn't getting think n hard. i leave it n fridge for 3 hrs n cut leave to dry even with fan blowing to spread up drying time still taking mine a week to form a thin delicate crust. Advice?

[@xxindigoAphrodithexx]

@@joesena9658 I had this problem with one brand of coloring (in gel) that just stayed in syrup state whatever I did. Same happened when I boiled the agar for too long. Same whenever I put too much citric acid. Not sure if this helps 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@joesena9658]

No i just used regular food coloring and Telephone brand Agar Agar simmer to a soft boil for 3 min left in fridge for 3 hrs came out great but when i left it to dry it just created a soft crust not the thick crust i was looking for.

[@xxindigoAphrodithexx]

@@joesena9658 no idea what a telephone brand is, we don't have that in my country. ;) Guess you have to tweak the recipe a lil and see what works for you...

[@dorisbutler990]

I need some crystals for a vegan cake. I just knew I could count on you for a great tutorial!! I can't wait to make these!!

[@user-qm4gp3gl5d]

Love it! I'm Japanese, but I haven't eaten Kohakuto yet. I want to try this recipe!!

[@gummybear.509]

I made this and they turned out so good

[@KKytzu]

These are beautiful! I tried to make them the first time with a random brand of agar agar and it never solidified, but this time, I used the telephone brand (which I now realize that pretty much everyone says is the only brand that actually works for kohakutou) and it solidified! Only thing is, I used the recommended amount of candy flavoring (I used green apple) and I can't taste it at all... what did I do wrong?

[@beckybrockman5211]

Very cool Liz! Thanks for the tutorial!

[@SugarGeekShow]

Get the recipe on my blog post: sugargeekshow.com/recipe/kohakutou-crystal-gummy-candy/

[@D.A.A.321]

I needed this, thank you so much! This video saved my cake! I was planning a crystal Cake and ordered crystal silicon forms which came out too small and taking out even the firmest frozen gelatin is almost impossible.

[@vadaval1653]

Hi, I just did my first try today :). I had some trouble. The agar I use didnt get clear as on your video when heating it, could it be that I used too much? Also it wasnt at a boiling point but still there were like many tiny bubbles. If you could give me any advice I would appreciate it a lot. Thanks :)

[@fatemaabdulqadir2777]

Hello..can you please help me..i saw your kohakutou recipe n i tired its turned very nice but i m.searching for its completely dry insidd n outside..can you please help.me how its dry from inside

[@innerspacesurfer]

The gold paint detracts from the esthetic while adding cost and time in my opinion but I love the product overall. Thank you!

[@rtplayzkhan6822]

Thank u so much!! It's so helpful ☺❤❤

[@taniakluge9494]

What kind of citric acid did you use ? Very interesting... thank you for sharing

[@Aillivez]

This is what I am looking for. Thanks so much ☺️

[@Aillivez]

Anyway is it possible to use erythritol sugar instead? I need some coo and sweetl flavour without high calories. I wonder...

[@TheNormExperience]

My dentist is gonna hate me but there’s no way I’m not making these!

[@sylvieroussel7898]

You can put the cutout over the crystals to give them a gemrock look

[@sstaj9945]

They're so beautiful! I can't wait to give them a try for my cakes. A question.. If I were to place these on top of a buttercream or whipped cream iced cake would they remain stable or would they get all mushy and fall over? i'm trying to determine if I need to only use these on top of a fondant covered cake.

[@Ramen_luvver]

If you leave them out for 4-5+ days at room temperature, so they can crystallize, they'll be stiff enough to put on basically anything and they last a long time because of the amount of sugar used to make them.

[@sstaj9945]

@@Ramen_luvver thank you!

[@1982smooch]

Thank you for this recipe

[@angeliquemacawili3693]

Hi, How long is the shelf life?

[@yyeelllooww]

Brilliant! Thank you

[@rinrin9118]

I saw these for $50!!! So I wanted to make my own instead

[@t.s8113]

That is so cool! Can't wait to try them. Thank you for your video. 😊

[@aliciaroberts1020]

Will they last a week from the day you start making them or a week after the 2-3 day drying process?

[@elikab6092]

Can't wait to try this recipe

[@myoxegene1418]

Love you from MOROCCO🇲🇦❤ STAY SAFE Everyone💜

[@SugarGeekShow]

💕💕💕

[@blueberrys7165]

💝💝💝💝

[@fluffypenguinbabe]

Oh my gosh I have so many questions these look so exciting and I feel bad I'd never heard of them before as I have been to Japan 😋 I haven't looked yet at where to get agar agar so any alternatives just in case would be great. You said citric acid was optional but it was candy flavouring you used. I assume that is different from normal extracts and they wouldn't work? Also does it have to be liquid colour instead of gel? Reason I'm so excited is I'm wondering if these could be cut small and used for a geode cake instead of rock candy? 😁

[@rafeekpeedikakandy432]

agar agar is popular in india.

[@gelflingmama]

I use normal fruit extracts, too, strawberry is my favorite. Agar powder is available on Amazon, I have seen one recipe that used gelatin but they took waaaay longer to dry and didn’t quite turn out right. I’ve been making these for about a year so I may be able to answer more questions if you still have some.

[@zitronentee]

Asian shops. Agar-agar is quite common in South East Asia. It's different from konjac and grass jelly.

[@oOLemonzOo]

@@gelflingmama could you use less sugar than in her recipe or maybe replace some/all of the sugar with something else?

[@gelflingmama]

@@oOLemonzOo Well, the closest I’ve come to that would be using turbinado sugar (like the brand Sugar in the Raw,) which still works fine but will affect the color and flavor a bit, giving it a maple like flavor, but I’ve never tried replacing the sugar entirely. The sugar is what makes them crystallized so I’m not sure a replacement would work unless it crystallizes like sugar does. I’m sorry I don’t have a better answer. Hope that’s helpful.

[@Lola-Lu]

This was much easier than I thought it would be

[@nuhaa3363]

Can these be made in advance and stored? If yes, how?

[@Norbyuna]

Please can we make it in gelatin powder?

[@Sada-yf6xh]

I tried. ☹️it did not work

[@Beiingserena]

I tried too, it didn’t work

[@rendaniluruli4518]

Beautiful, thanx

[@fatimacorrea356]

Thanks liz!...Cant wait to make them at home!

[@Saydle]

Absolutely gorgeous. These will take my geode cakes to the next level! I know sugar is pretty integral to the recipe but is there any way to make these diabetic friendly? My grandma would absolutely love these but I don't to put her in the hospital 😬

[@cjboyo]

I don’t think sugar is integral to the texture. Agar will thicken anything (like gelatin). You could probably experiment with different diabetic friendly sweeteners

[@hugsxkissesftw3959]

Whatever you use has to crystalize. Maybe grandma can have just one?

[@mjcg90]

Can I substitute sugar with erythrital?

[@flavche]

Can you use a dehydrator to crystallize them faster???

[@PagesandPens]

Looking for some help. I have tried different recipes to make this candy, and I've never gotten it just right. This time it FINALLY had the solid consistency out of the fridge, and I thought I had it, but it's been a week and no crust/hardness is forming. What did I do wrong? HELP!

[@user-rq4mc6db1n]

Ty it was so good

[@romitiBR]

Is it possible to dry it in a food dehydrator? And for how long and at what temperature would you suggest?

[@loribiggs2718]

Hi Liz, I just love your videos! I am making an island cake with agar agar and it leaked after it was set. Can you tell me what I might be doing wrong? I tried it twice.

[@muniquri8210]

Can I put gelatine instead of agar agar????

[@SugarGeekShow]

Not for this recipe, but try my gummy crystals! sugargeekshow.com/recipe/gummy-crystals/

[@EllaNchanted]

Hi Sugar Geek. New to your channel and was wondering if some or all of the sugar could be substituted with xylitol or another sugar alternative? Love your skills!

[@rubabkhan3257]

You need to check the properties of the sugar alternative! For example if you use stevia it won't work bcs it does not caramelise/ crystallise like table sugar wo it won't give your crystals the crunchy layer it would just be jelly :3

[@sarangi_u8403]

Um for when the candies needs to dry and I cover it with a clear plastic wrapper cause there are some case of fly problem or ants

[@natalietenenbaum541]

Would it work the same if you wanted to pour the mixture directly into small molds (like ice cube molds), rather than a big block to cut out?

[@xxmanicmicki]

Yup!

[@tobilobaojemuyiwa4403]

Hey Liz! Can one use powdered gelatin instead?😋

[@braydnx]

Gelatin will not harden. I found this out the hard way 😔

[@tobilobaojemuyiwa4403]

@@braydnx yikes 😂😂😂 Thanks for the heads-up 🤭🙏🙏🙏

[@braydnx]

Tobiloba Ojemuyiwa so if you were to use gelatin the outside layer of sugar (aka the shell) won’t harden. Just to clarify

[@tobilobaojemuyiwa4403]

@@braydnx bummer😭 Thank you so much though

[@braydnx]

Tobiloba Ojemuyiwa you can find agar agar at most Asian stores!

[@mariazoya-asmr4885]

hai...that so beautiful. what if we make it without sugar? still it get crystal and crunchy?

[@itsmoo467]

Hi, i have a question. You said let the candy dry at room temperature for two or three days. Is it okay if i put them in an air-conditioned room? I really appreciate if you willing to answered this question.

[@gabrieladelacruz1057]

What is the shelf life of these? Like how far ahead of time can I make these?

[@thelivingghost5695]

Friend: Yo! What'chu eating man? Me: just amethysts, rubies, and some emeralds. Why? Want some?

[@mikichan14]

Hi Sugar Geek, how many weeks is the shelf life of these candies?

[@joellebassous719]

What can I use instead of the agar

[@sheaprado1458]

I wonder if I could just use jello packs.

[@joesena9658]

Uuugh... I've done this recipe 5 time to exact measurements, exact ingredients, exact timing. why is my crystal taking over a week to even form a slight crust! I'm not getting that nice crack thick skin and chewy center no matter what i do. Please help

[@vonitacruz798]

Amazing

[@ChelX]

Hi liz? Quick question, will these work with gelatine leaf instead of agar agar? And do they hold well when left out at room temp (after it has set)?

[@margueriteramos8730]

AH same question :(

[@channelhernandez1307]

Hi sugar geek! I love your videos. Can you use oil based or gel based food colorings ???

[@xxmanicmicki]

I used gel & it worked just fine. :)

[@aimeegilbert4095]

What does the citric acid do?

[@iusandthefoods]

Do you let them dry in room temp with lid on or off? Thann u

[@bhadrabinish88]

amazing !!!

[@kerfluffle]

how do I keep ants away from the drying candy???

[@mickelhogan3955]

Do i have to use that much sugar?

[@abeersaid8038]

Guys do we have to do get the telephone brand bc I don't have It in my country

[@renaissancezoe9293]

Being short on time, would “drying” in the lowest temp oven work to achieve the crunchy crystalizing process??

[@studieswithtitan6337]

CAN WE USE BLOOMED GELATIN AS I SAW IN YOUR GOOGLE SITE SO CAN U PLEASE TELL 😢

[@juniormachado6150]

my name is junior, i'm from brazil, and unfortunately i don't speak your language, so i don't understand what you said in the video, i would like to know if i can replace agar agar, with gelatin?

[@Schrecken1]

Yes, you can replace Agar-agar with gelatin. Agar-Agar is simply the vegetarian version of usual gelatin.

[@gaheekim4397]

@@Schrecken1 You cannot. This recipe specifically needs agar agar

[@aliciaroberts1020]

Could I use silicone molds for this?

[@sarahso4913]

Can I add lime instead of cetric acid?

[@KKytzu]

What did you use to oil the container? I used canola oil and though it released easily, the kohakutou wasn't sticky at all and was actually slimy. What happened? Did I use too much oil?

[@deannamahone6616]

Hi! Will these hold up next to buttercream in a geode cake? Thanks😃

[@dominiquestubblefield7720]

Can you do this process with Alcohol? Can you do this with milk?

[@kittyfang2691]

Oh my god I have to make these for work they have a joke about me that I’m a rock eater lmao

[@himiko9767]

I tried Kohakotou 5 - 6 times with different recipes but they were to fluid every time. I don’t know what im doing wrong. Can someone help me with this? 😖

[@pastapasta9280]

this happened to me too! i just left the mixture in the fridge over night instead of 1-2 hours and it worked perfect for me :)

[@irenemontero2346]

Is it possible to use silicone molds to get other shapes?

[@SugarGeekShow]

Irene Montero yes just make sure to lightly oil the molds so they don’t stick ☺️

[@luigigotbigtiddies9869]

@@SugarGeekShow what kind of oil? :)

[@sophielove97sv]

I really love your videos! Tiktok fan as well lol

[@SugarGeekShow]

Sophia Salamanca thanks so much!! Love my TikTok sugar geek fam too 😄

[@hcrf529]

@@SugarGeekShow, shelf life of this candy????

[@iselaviernes2962]

Hi Liz can you use this to make a geo cake with the rock candy after the crystals get hard?

[@heatherdetrick5870]

So I made a batch and they seem so firm compared to my other batches I made? Is it possible I used too much agar agar and it won’t crystallize?

[@abbacuentosdelalma7005]

Will they melt on hot weather Can be touching fondant? Because when i made ice cubes with gelatin they melted

[@elizasea]

If I were to add coconut oil and some extra agar agar, would it have the same consistency?

[@selenahallhodge4659]

What can you use for diabetic patients who can’t eat all that sugar but need the fluid?

[@dodge10P1N]

My grocery store sells it in ounces so if yours does too, 1oz = 28.34 grams.

[@kittenling8055]

Hi Sugar Geek I tried this recipe last week but so far the mixture has yet to go solid. I was wondering if you have any advice besides putting it in freezer as I plan on trying that.

[@moonheartsky]

i just found out that the agar i use wasn’t 100% agar (it also contained sugar). make sure your brand is 100%. it should never take more than a few hours to set.

[@NellLiuNini]

can I use gelatin?

[@viidyyaamundaada3383]

Instead of..agar agar..can we use geletin.......if yes...then...same quantity...???

[@ma.roxannecharismaloya2634]

Viidyyaa Mundaada same question

[@margueriteramos8730]

Same question

[@phoenixsong38]

I tried making a recipe similar to your but it's been almost 2 days and my crystals have barely formed a crust. Does anyone thing I need to put them in the fridge or something? Turn on a fan?

[@tattlious86]

Is it white sugar or caster sugar please? (Australia)

[@bringcarm8033]

Can you use gelatin instea of agar agar?

[@vickylimta]

Does the citric acid add a citrus flavor?

[@mr.zardoz3344]

Does it matter if my flavoring agent is oil based?

[@cora_kathlena]

Mine didn’t do the jelly thing, it just turned into crunchy sugar like candy

[@lilym6882]

Would it be ok to pour the mixture into a diamond mold to cool instead of the glass pan?

[@margueriteramos8730]

Hello !! Does anyone know if it will work for gelatin if i use the same proportions? Or should i adjust some things? I dont have access to agar and i really want to try making this.

[@margueriteramos8730]

Up please!!!!

[@margueriteramos8730]

Please send help. Any suggestion will be appreciated ,,,

[@SugarGeekShow]

I would use my gelatin recipe! sugargeekshow.com/recipe/gummy-recipe/

[@KotoriOnWheels]

Gelatin and agar powder are 1:1 substitution. But not the agar flakes or strips.

[@DRSOED]

I did this 6 days ago and left them out for hardening. but they seem not to harden. still sticky and mushy on most sides. not enough sugar? not enough agar agar? I'm a little lost which parameter is maybe wrong

[@Anastasiya13J19]

same, mine seemed to go well (i used cup brand agar agar) but they’re taking absolutely forever to set

[@vicisreallycool_9452]

can you make a exact amount of sugar and agar agar? ty