Melon Rusk: A Simple Factory-Fresh Treat from Goka, Ibaraki

I am still happily hunting for souvenirs at roadside stations and other shops throughout the Kanto region.

Whenever I visit an unfamiliar area, stopping first at a roadside station is a good way to learn about it. The information corner is useful, of course, but the souvenir shop and the products on its shelves can reveal just as much about the character of the region.

At Michi-no-Eki Goka in Ibaraki Prefecture, rusks were being promoted especially heavily. I also learned that a large rusk factory operates nearby, so I decided to try one.

Melon Rusk (Japan Rusk Foods)

A box of 20 costs ¥600.

The package says that this is a summer-only product. I would not call myself a particular melon lover, but the limited-edition label persuaded me to choose it.

The box is covered with a printed melon-net pattern, giving the package plenty of melon character.

The best-before date is printed on the back. The box I purchased had about three months remaining.

The rusks are protected by a sturdy container resembling a white cardboard case, which makes sense because rusks break so easily.

Each rusk is topped with pale green melon cream. Its simplicity makes it look especially promising.

How filling is Melon Rusk, and what does it taste like?

Let’s try it.

It is a fragrant rusk with a very crisp, light texture.

For better or worse, it is a simple, rustic-style rusk. It does not have the thick, crunchy layer of sugar that many people imagine when they think of an especially indulgent rusk.

The cream on the surface has a refreshing melon aroma and an elegant, mellow flavor.

I ate mine chilled, which made the topping taste a little like melon chocolate. It was extremely good.

I did, however, expect the chocolate layer to be slightly thicker.

Compared with the generous chocolate coating that most people probably picture on a chocolate rusk, this one may feel a little restrained.

The sweetness is mild overall, so it is dangerously easy to keep crunching through one piece after another.

With 20 pieces in a box, it could work well as an affordable souvenir to hand out around the office. Be aware, though, that a single piece may leave people wanting a little more.

Perhaps the best use is for a rusk lover to buy a box for everyday enjoyment at home.

Next time, I would also like to try the regular version.

Thank you for the meal!

Melon Rusk Product Info, Expiration Date, Manufacturer