This is the Sunyodo Yamagata Cherry Jelly. Yamagata Prefecture is known for producing Sato Nishiki cherries, which are well known for their vibrant red colour and sweet and juicy flavour.
Each packet contained a dozen Sato Nishiki cherries in a jelly infused with the flavour of cherry juice. Upon unsealing the package, a mild and pleasing aroma of cherries became perceptible. The cherries were whole, including pits and stems, which made consuming the fruit and jelly less convenient but likely maintained the cherries’ plumpness and juiciness. They had a refreshing sweetness, akin to the fresh fruit, with a reasonably firm texture, although it was softer and less crisp than the fresh fruit. The surrounding jelly imparted a subtle cherry flavour with a gentle sweetness that complemented the fruit’s more vibrant taste. The jelly was lightly set with agar, which meant it lacked the bounce of konjac-set jellies, yet it retained a similarly smooth texture while avoiding the crumbly consistency of jellies entirely set with agar. Overall, this jelly celebrated the refined sweetness of Sato Nishiki cherries, rendering it worth repurchasing.
This Sunyodo Yamagata Cherry Jelly contained 400 g. It was produced in Japan and purchased in Sydney, Australia in 2023.