The allure of cherry blossom viewing in Japan lies not just in witnessing the blossoms in full bloom, but in appreciating their journey from delicate buds to falling petals. This fleeting yet captivating life cycle is now not only a visual delight but a culinary experience, courtesy of Mister Donut‘s latest offering: the Sakura Mochitto Doughnuts.
Named for their chewy texture, the “Sakura Mochitto Doughnuts” collection features four delectable items, three of which return by popular demand, while one makes its debut, mirroring the stages of cherry blossom blooming.
Starting the journey is the Sakura Mochitto Doughnut Tsubomi (162 yen for takeout or 165 yen for eat-in), a glazed delight dusted with soybean flour, mimicking the appearance of a sakura bud with its pink interior.
Transitioning to the “gobuzaki” stage, the Sakura Mochitto Doughnut Gobuzaki (183 yen for takeout or 187 yen for eat-in) presents a half-bloomed aesthetic, featuring pink strawberry chocolate on one side and a pale pink whipped cream inside, reminiscent of the blossoms before full bloom.
Celebrating the pinnacle of cherry blossom beauty, the Sakura Mochitto Doughnut Mankai (183 yen for takeout or 187 yen for eat-in) captures the essence of “mankai” with salted sakura leaves and sakura-flavored chocolate flakes atop a cherry blossom bean paste glaze.
A newcomer to the ensemble, the Sakura Mochitto Doughnut Maizakura (183 yen for takeout or 187 yen for eat-in), pays homage to the falling petals with a filling of Hokkaido-sourced azuki beans and an artistic depiction of swirling petals crafted from a medley of chocolates.
For those eager to indulge in the full cherry blossom experience, Mister Donut offers the “Sakura Mankitsu Set” (711 yen), featuring all four Sakura Mochitto Doughnuts in a picturesque pink-and-white box, perfect for hanami picnics.
Available for a limited time from February 28 to late March, these delightful creations coincide with the anticipated bloom in Tokyo starting from March 18, providing ample opportunity to relish each stage of the sakura’s enchanting journey.