A Taste of Japan: The Origins of Pac Pac's Konjac Chews

Konjac has been a staple of Japanese cuisine for more than 1,000 years, long before it found its way into a snack bag. Pac Pac konjac jelly chews are an innovation building off this long tradition. Here's where konjac comes from and how we turn it into a chewy little snack.

A traditional Japanese ingredient

Konjac is a plant grown across Japan and other parts of East Asia. Its underground corm is rich in glucomannan, a soluble fiber that gives konjac its distinctive springy texture.

Japanese cooks have worked with konjac for centuries, turning it into konnyaku, shirataki noodles, and oden simmered on cold nights. We built off this staple ingredient and created something new. 

Where our konjac comes from

We source our konjac from Japan's preeminent konjac regions, where the climate, water, and soil have supported generations of farmers.

Konjac takes its time. Farmers plant the corms in spring, let them grow for about a year, then harvest them by hand. Growing a good crop takes patience and experience. We harvest this raw material to form our product.

How a chew gets made

From there, it's part traditional ingredient and part food science. Konjac forms its dense, springy gel, into which we incorporate our unique globally-inspired flavors.

Today, Pac Pac comes in six flavors: Yuzu Lemonade, Berry Punch, Cherry Blossom, Peaches & Cream, Mango, and Matcha. Matcha contains real Japanese matcha powder for a rich tea flavor without bitterness. Yuzu brings a tangy citrus. Cherry Blossom has a soft floral note. Mango is sweet and fruity. Every flavor has its own personality, while sharing the same delectable chewy texture.

What sets them apart

We sweeten our chews with beet sugar, with no high-fructose corn syrup or sugar alcohols. A serving runs 15 to 20 calories and 4 to 5 grams of sugar, with fiber from konjac root. Every flavor is vegan and gluten-free.

The unique texture and no sacrifice on flavor are the reasons why people reach for another one.

Start here

New to konjac? Start with our guide to what konjac candy is. It covers the plant, the texture, and what makes konjac candy different from a regular gummy.