Time and time again I find myself returning to the Land of the Rising Sun, and here I am again. At the back end of last year I received two boxes from J-List, and this was at the top of my first box. Ittadakimasu!

Here is a large matchbox-type design of individually foil wrapped dark chocolate covered almonds. The premise is simple, but the execution is exquisite.

One thing you have to appreciate with Japan is the effort they go to with quality and presentation. Here we would simply chuck a bunch of these loosely into a plastic bag, stick a label on and sell them, but things are so different in Japan.

The matchbox design shouldn’t need to be explained too much, the inside pulls out, and inside are about 12 of these almonds, all sitting in their own little compartment.

They taste quite nice too, the almonds are crunchy and seem caramelised, the chocolate isn’t bitter at all, I in fact didn’t know this was the dark chocolate version (there is a milk one) until I confirmed the title of these.

I definitely recommend these to almond fans and for anyone who wants a safe option with importing Japanese sweets. Basic, but absolutely nothing wrong with these.