This is the Juichi-ya Shine Muscat Daifuku.
It featured a whole Shine Muscat grape from Yamagata Prefecture, wrapped in white bean paste and mochi, measuring approximately 4 cm in diameter.
Initial contact delivered a smooth, soft, and elastic mochi exterior lightly dusted with rice flour. This yielded readily to a thicker, creamy white bean paste, before reaching the taut skin of the seedless Shine Muscat grape at the centre. As chewing continued, the three components moved into alignment, with the grape providing a clear structural contrast through its crispness. The grape carried a pronounced sweetness with floral, lightly tropical notes, anchoring the flavour and driving the overall balance of the daifuku.
Overall, a wagashi with a layered flavour progression and well-integrated textural contrast, where the grape functions as the central point of both flavour and structure.
This Juichi-ya Shine Muscat Daifuku contained 53 g. It was produced in Japan and purchased in Yamagata, Japan in 2024.