This is the Agri Communications Tsugaru Akarin 5 Chips, made from red-fleshed apples cultivated in Goshogawara. These “Nakamade Akai Ringo” are a local specialty, known for their vibrant interior and tart profile. Not typically consumed fresh, they are better suited for use in pastries or processed formats. Here, the apples are low-temperature dried without any additives, allowing for natural variation in flavour and texture across batches.
Each bag included a nine whole rounds over 5 cm in diameter and numerous other segments roughly 6 cm long. The original slices appeared to be up to 5 mm thick, reduced through drying to between 1 and 3 mm. The skin remained intact, and the circular slices retained the apple core, though seeds were removed. The pieces featured red skins and yellow-brown interiors, with the distinctive red-tinged flesh beneath the peel.
These were not crisp, but rather chewy, verging on leathery. The initial taste was faint, emerging only after the apple began to rehydrate in the mouth. While some might liken the initial mouthfeel to flavoured cardboard, the experience shifted mid-bite, revealing a mellow sweetness and softened acidity. Unlike their fresh counterparts, the dried apples were more enjoyable in this format—likely due to the concentration of sugars and the elimination of the mealy texture present in fresh fruit. Some slices were sweeter than others, reflecting natural variation.
The presence of skin added a slight textural contrast, but also introduced an occasional hint of bitterness and astringency, especially when the rehydrated flesh was insufficient to counterbalance it. The circular slices, with greater surface area, achieved this balance more successfully than the segmented pieces. In flavour, these chips developed from understated to richly aromatic towards the finish.
Overall, this was a thoughtful preservation of a regional cultivar, best appreciated for its uniqueness and craftsmanship rather than as a snack substitute. A charming and distinctive souvenir from Goshogawara.
This Agri Communications Tsugaru Akarin 5 Chips contained 30 g. It was produced in Japan and purchased in Goshogawara, Japan in 2024.