Have you ever noticed a blue package with a sailing ship at a Japanese supermarket or convenience store?
That's Alfort.
With a graceful sailing ship embossed on its chocolate surface, this little treat carries a spirit of "adventure" and "voyage." Since its launch in 1994, Alfort has been loved for over 30 years. Why does this snack continue to capture our hearts across generations?
Want to try it yourself? Explore Alfort products available here.
What You'll Learn
- 1) The story behind the sailing ship design
- 2) Bourbon's century of craftsmanship
- 3) The perfect harmony of chocolate and biscuit
- 4) Why Alfort has been loved for 30 years
1) The Story Behind the Sailing Ship
The name "Alfort" combines "Al" (a prefix) with "fort" (meaning fortress or strength). But what truly defines this snack is the sailing ship embossed on both the package and the chocolate itself.
During the Age of Exploration, sailing ships were gateways to unknown worlds. Adventurers boarded these vessels and set sail for undiscovered lands.
Alfort's sailing ship relief carries that same "longing for adventure" and "excitement for new discoveries." With every bite, a small adventure begins—that's the spirit embedded in this design.
2) Bourbon's Century of Craftsmanship
Alfort is made by Bourbon, a confectionery company headquartered in Kashiwazaki City, Niigata Prefecture. Founded in 1924, Bourbon has been crafting sweets for over 100 years.
Bourbon's corporate philosophy is "Deliciousness, Thoughtfulness, Always Together." Quality and trust have always been their top priorities.
Their dedication to ingredients is remarkable. Alfort's chocolate uses carefully selected cacao, while the biscuit features a unique blend that highlights the natural flavor of wheat.
The harshness of Niigata winters has cultivated a culture of "meticulousness" and "perseverance"—values that form the foundation of Bourbon's snack-making tradition.
3) The Perfect Harmony of Chocolate and Biscuit
Alfort's charm lies in the exquisite balance between chocolate and biscuit.
The moment it touches your tongue, the smooth sweetness of chocolate spreads first. Then comes the satisfying crunch of the biscuit, its wheaty aroma blending with the lingering notes of chocolate.
This "two-layer structure" is no accident. Bourbon's development team went through countless prototypes, fine-tuning the chocolate thickness, biscuit firmness, and baking time to perfection.
Too much chocolate overwhelms the biscuit's flavor; too little feels unsatisfying. The pursuit of this "just right" balance resulted in Alfort's golden ratio.
4) Why Alfort Has Been Loved for 30 Years
Since its 1994 debut, Alfort has remained one of the top-selling chocolate biscuits in Japan for over 30 years.
The secret is its "unchanging reliability."
In an era where trendy flavors come and go, Alfort has stayed true to its foundations. Open the package, and you'll find the same blue box, the same sailing ship, the same taste.
This "always the same" quality is incredibly reassuring for those of us navigating busy daily lives.
Alfort delivers "small certainties" in our everyday moments.
Conclusion: Adventure in Every Bite
The sailing ship embossed on Alfort carries "a longing for adventure" and "anticipation for new discoveries."
Created by Bourbon with over 100 years of history, this snack has been bringing small joys to our daily lives for more than 30 years—a testament to their unwavering pursuit of quality and deliciousness.
Next time you pick up an Alfort, take a moment to gaze at the sailing ship relief. Within it lies the same "yearning for the unknown" that drove the explorers of the Age of Discovery.
A small adventure in your everyday life. Won't you set sail with Alfort?
Ready to embark on your own Alfort adventure? Explore Alfort products available at Tokyo Stash.
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