Shiikuwāsā, a citrus fruit indigenous to Okinawa and a member of the mandarin family, typically measures about 3 cm in diameter. Its appearance bears resemblance to a calamansi, yet it boasts a unique citrus profile all its own. The Okinawan dialect imbues its nomenclature with meaning; ‘shi’ denotes ‘sour’, while ‘kuwasa’ translates to ‘to eat’.
This Coca-Cola Fanta Okinawa Shiikuwāsā is a flavour limited to Okinawa (and also available from satellite stores for the prefecture). This beverage derived its flavour artificially and did not contain any juice from the fruit itself.
The beverage was an opaque off-white pale green hue, accompanied by a sweet mandarin-like citrus fragrance and minimal carbonation. When consumed chilled, the flavour of shiikwaasa emerged immediately with a citrus profile that encapsulated the gentle sweetness of ripe fruit while sidestepping the innate tartness of unripe varieties. The flavour had a distinct identity, although it bore semblance to a floral yuzu, characterized by a nuanced zestiness reminiscent of lime or kabosu, yet toned down. Despite its synthetic derivation, we appreciated its vibrant and invigorating taste.
This Coca-Cola Fanta Okinawa Shiikuwāsā contained 500 mL. It was produced in Japan and purchased in Tōkyō, Japan in 2023.