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Introduction
We are so excited to announce our first spring seasonal coffee — Sakura Blend (桜ブレンド)!
This is a limited-time blend from Sapporo Coffee Kan in Hokkaido, available only while supplies last. Once it's gone, it's gone until next spring.
I'll be honest — when the sample arrived from Sapporo Coffee Kan, I brewed a cup and just sat with it for a while. It's such a clean, bright coffee.
There's a sweetness to it that kind of sneaks up on you, and I immediately thought: this is what spring tastes like as a coffee.
Not because of any added flavor, but because of how light and refreshing it is.
Let me tell you all about it!
What Is Sakura Blend? (And What It's Not)
Okay, I want to get this out of the way right up front, because I know what you're thinking.
Sakura Blend is NOT a flavored coffee. It does not contain any sakura essence, cherry blossom aroma, or added flavoring of any kind.
I know — in Japan, spring means sakura everything. Sakura lattes, sakura mochi, sakura Kit-Kats... so it's natural to assume this would be a sakura-flavored coffee.
But it's not!
Instead, we created this blend to capture the feeling of the season.
It's light, clean, fruit-forward, and refreshing — the kind of coffee that just feels right when the weather starts getting warmer and the days get longer.
Think of it this way: the name "Sakura" describes the experience of drinking it, not an ingredient in it.
What Does "Sakura" (桜) Mean?
If you're familiar with Japanese culture, you probably already know this one — but let me share a bit for those who are newer to it.
"Sakura" (桜) means cherry blossom in Japanese. It's one of the most important symbols in Japanese culture, representing spring, renewal, and the beauty of things that don't last forever.
Every year, people across Japan gather for hanami (花見) — literally "flower viewing" — sitting under blooming cherry trees with food, drinks, and friends. It's one of my favorite things about spring in Japan.
The sakura season is short. The blossoms appear, they're beautiful for a week or two, and then they're gone. That's part of what makes them special.
This coffee is the same way — it's here for a limited time, and when it sells out, that's it until next year.
Tasting Profile
Here's the breakdown:
Sakura Blend (Medium-Light Roast)
- Fragrance: High — rich and aromatic
- Body: Medium — smooth and rounded, not heavy
- Acidity: High — bright and fruit-forward, but gentle and well-balanced
- Bitterness: Low — very mild
- Sweetness: High — a mellow sweetness that lingers on the palate
What I love about this coffee is how balanced it is. The acidity is definitely there — this is a bright coffee — but it never feels sharp or harsh.
And that sweetness at the end?
It just kind of stays with you. Really pleasant.
If you enjoy our Asa Tsuyu Blend, you'll probably love this one too. Sakura Blend has a similar lightness and brightness, but with its own distinct character. I'd say it's even more fruit-forward.
The Colombia Pital Mountain Connection
Sakura Blend is built on Colombia Pital Mountain beans sourced from contract farms, blended with other Colombian coffee varieties.
Here's something most people don't realize about seasonal blends: creating a coffee that tastes "light" and "refreshing" is actually really hard to do well. You can't just use a lighter roast and call it a day — the beans themselves need to have the right character.
Colombian coffees are known for their sweetness and gentle acidity, and the Pital Mountain beans, in particular, bring a soft, fruit-forward brightness that forms the backbone of this blend. The other Colombian varieties round it out, adding body and depth so it doesn't feel thin.
We specifically chose these beans because they wanted a coffee that could stand on its own but also work beautifully alongside delicate seasonal desserts (more on that below!).
The Magic of Sumiyaki Charcoal-Roasting
Like all of our coffees from Sapporo Coffee Kan, Sakura Blend is roasted using the Sumiyaki (炭焼き) method — a traditional Japanese charcoal-roasting technique using high-quality Binchotan charcoal.
If you've had our other coffees, you already know what Sumiyaki does. But for anyone new here — let me explain!
The short version: charcoal roasting uses far-infrared radiation to heat beans evenly from the inside out. This removes excess moisture (which can cause harsh, acidic flavors) while preserving the bean's natural oils and aromatics.
The result is coffee that's noticeably smoother and sweeter than what you'd get from standard gas- or electric-roasting. For Sakura Blend specifically, the Sumiyaki method helps bring out that mellow sweetness and clean finish that makes this coffee so easy to drink.
If you want to learn more about the Sumiyaki process, we wrote about it in detail in our How Sumiyaki Roasting Machine Works article.
How to Enjoy Sakura Blend
Brewing Recommendations
Sakura Blend is versatile, but here are the two methods I'd recommend:
- Paper filter / Pour-over — This is my go-to for Sakura Blend. The paper filter gives you a really clean cup that lets those bright, fruit-forward notes shine through. You get all the sweetness and acidity without any heaviness.
- Espresso — If you like lighter, brighter espresso shots, Sakura Blend is a great choice. The concentrated extraction brings out the fruit-forward character in a punchy, interesting way.
Pro Tip: Use filtered water (not distilled, not heavily mineralized) and store your beans in an airtight container in a cool, dark place. And since this coffee is roasted to order by Sapporo Coffee Kan, you're getting it at peak freshness — enjoy it within a few weeks of receiving it for the best flavor!
Pairing with Sakura Sweets
Here's where Sakura Blend really shines.
This coffee was specifically developed to pair with traditional Japanese spring sweets. We're talking:
- Sakura mochi (桜餅) — soft rice cake wrapped in a pickled cherry blossom leaf
- Sakura yokan (桜羊羹) — jellied sweet bean paste with cherry blossom
- Sakura pound cake — and other cherry blossom-flavored baked goods
The idea is that the coffee doesn't compete with the delicate floral sweetness of these desserts — it complements them. The bright acidity and mellow sweetness of Sakura Blend actually enhance the subtle flavors in the sweets.
Even if you're not eating it with sweets, Sakura Blend is wonderful on its own. It's just a really easy-drinking, enjoyable coffee.
New: 1kg Bulk Option (Buy 4, Get 1 Free!)
Here's something new we're trying with Sakura Blend — and honestly, it came from you!
Several customers have asked us about bulk options, and we thought this would be the perfect product to test it out. So for the first time, we're offering a 1kg bulk option: 200g × 5 packages for the price of 4.
That's basically one bag free.
If you already know you love this coffee (or if you're buying for a group, or just want to stock up while it's available), this is a great way to save.
And if this goes well, we may start offering bulk options on our other coffees too! So if that's something you'd like to see, this is your chance to vote with your wallet. :)
Pricing
- 200g (7.0 oz): $25.00
- 1kg Bulk (200g × 5): $100.00 (Buy 4, Get 1 Free!)
Remember — this is a limited-time spring seasonal blend. When it's gone, it's gone. We won't be restocking until next spring.
All coffee is roasted to order by Sapporo Coffee Kan in Hokkaido, Japan, and shipped in nitrogen-flushed bags with one-way valves to preserve freshness.
Try the Sakura Blend!
We hope you'll give Sakura Blend a try this spring.
Whether you enjoy it on its own or pair it with your favorite sakura sweets, I think you'll love how light and refreshing it is. It's the kind of coffee that just puts you in a good mood.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to us — we're always happy to help!
Quick Reference: Sakura Blend
| Product | Sakura Blend (桜ブレンド) |
| Type | Limited-Time Spring Seasonal Blend |
| Roast Level | Medium-Light |
| Origins | Colombia (Pital Mountain + other varieties) |
| Roasting Method | Sumiyaki (炭焼き) charcoal-roasting |
| Roaster | Sapporo Coffee Kan, Hokkaido, Japan |
| Taste Profile | Bright, fruit-forward, smooth, mellow sweetness, clean finish |
| Flavored? | No — no added sakura flavoring or essence |
| Best Brewing Methods | Paper filter / Pour-over, Espresso |
| Pairs Well With | Sakura mochi, sakura yokan, sakura pound cake |
| 200g Price | $25.00 |
| 1kg Bulk Price | $100.00 (200g × 5 — Buy 4, Get 1 Free) |
| Availability | Limited time — while supplies last |
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About the author
Kei Nishida
Author, CEO Dream of Japan
Certification: PMP, BS in Computer Science
Education: Western Washington University
Kei Nishida is a passionate Japanese tea and coffee connoisseur, writer, and the founder and CEO of Japanese Coffee Co. and Japanese Green Tea Co., both part of Dream of Japan.
His journey began with a mission to introduce the world to the unparalleled quality of Japanese green tea. Through Japanese Green Tea Co., he established the only company that sources premium tea grown in nutrient-rich sugarcane soil—an innovation that led to multiple Global Tea Champion awards.
Building on this success and his passion for Japanese craftsmanship, Kei expanded into the world of coffee, pioneering the launch of Japanese Coffee Co., the first company to bring Sumiyaki charcoal-roasted coffee to a global audience. His dedication to authenticity and quality ensures that this traditional Japanese roasting method, once a well-kept secret, is now enjoyed worldwide.
Beyond tea and coffee, Kei has also introduced Japan’s legendary craftsmanship to the world through Japanese Knife Co., making handmade katana-style knives—crafted by a renowned katana maker—available outside Japan for the first time.
Kei’s journey continues as he seeks out and shares the hidden treasures of Japan, one cup and one blade at a time.
Learn more about Kei
