This is the Kanro Puré Gumi Omamori Plum, which used concentrated plum juice. The packaging took the form of an omamori, a traditional Japanese amulet, just in time for the entrance exam season and the arrival of New Year 2023. There were two concealed moulds, one resembling a plum blossom and the other depicting a rabbit, symbolizing the Chinese zodiac sign for the year 2023. However, our bag happened to contain neither of these surprise shapes.

Each piece was heart-shaped and measured approximately 3 x 2.5 x 0.5 cm in size. The halves were shades of pink and yellow, emitting a pleasant ume aroma. Upon tasting, the surface’s sour crystals introduced an initial tangy acidity accompanied by a subtle crunch. After a few bites of the firm, pulpy gummy, the distinctive ume flavour was released. It conveyed the natural tartness of the fruit before transitioning from the sour crystals to the ume’s velvety, apricot-like sweetness. While a bouncier and chewable texture in the gummy would have been preferable, these pieces encapsulated the invigorating flavour of ume. They skillfully balanced the interplay between sourness and sweetness, making them worth repurchasing.

This Kanro Puré Gumi Plum contained 52 g. It was produced in Japan and purchased in Sydney, Australia in 2023.