This is the Ito En x Nippon Yell Wakayama Mikan Jelly. It was a collaboration between Ito En and the Japanese Agricultural Association, Nippon Yell. It contained up to 10% fruit juice from mikan grown in Wakayama.
The drink displayed an opaque yellow hue and emitted a citrus aroma that, while not particularly zesty, possessed a noticeable tartness. When consumed after vigorous shaking, at least ten times, the beverage acquired a pleasingly thick and somewhat “gluggy” consistency, akin to a well-set jelly that had been agitated. Lively sour notes of mikan dominated the forefront of every sip, persisting from the initial taste all the way to the finish, where a mild savory element, reminiscent of an electrolyte beverage, made an appearance. The overall flavour closely resembled that of a mikan, just before the crisp sweetness that appears at peak ripeness. While it retained a degree of sweetness, the pronounced acidity accentuated the freshness of the fruit itself. We appreciated this aspect, in addition to the novelty of the jelly-like consistency, which rapidly dissolved upon touching the palate, releasing the delightful mikan flavour.
This Ito En x Nippon Yell Wakayama Mikan Jelly contained 280 g. It was produced in Japan and purchased in Sydney, Australia in 2023.