Yamagata Prefecture is a haven for fruit production, but they are known for its cherries above all other fruit.
This is the Nippon Yell Gummy Yamagata Cherry, which used the fruit juice of Sato Nishiki cherries. This variety of cherry is known as the ‘red jewel’, with a taut yet soft texture and a brilliant ruby red colour.
Each gummy exuded an opaque, muted red hue, measuring around 2 cm in diameter and 1 cm in height, accompanied by a subtle cherry aroma that balanced tartness and delicate sweetness. Upon tasting, the gummy’s exterior yielded with a buoyant resistance before the softer, jelly-like centre was unveiled. Initially, the firmer gummy lacked a direct cherry impact, allowing the jelly-like core to dominate with a vivid cherry sweetness. After a few more chews, the gummy’s exterior revealed its crisp tartness, fusing with the sweet centre for a luscious cherry flavour. This cherry flavour harked back to the Wrigley Starburst flavour, albeit more authentically, free from medicinal associations. Overall, these delectable gummies encapsulated the flavour of Sato Nishiki cherries with an understated charm.
This Nippon Yell Gummy Yamagata Cherry contained 40 g. It was produced in Japan and purchased in Tōkyō, Japan in 2023.