This is the Meiji Kajū Gumi Watermelon, a seasonal flavour released in the summer. Each bag contained its weight in fresh fruit juice, speficially, 54 g of fresh watermelon juice concentrated 6.6 times to yield 8.6 g of concentrated watermelon juice. Unlike other gummies in this series, it earned a 3, rather than a 2, on Meiji’s softness-to-hardness scale.

These gummies, measuring roughly 2 x 1.5 x 1.5 cm and resembling watermelon slices, had a naturally achieved translucent yellow hue from the fruit juice. They exuded an intensely fruity sweetness of watermelon, bordering on artificial. When tasted, the gummies had a strong elastic bounce to the teeth, offering an initial sweetness in the first few chews before gradually unfolding the watermelon flavour by mid-bite. The second half of the gummy saw an intensified and vibrant sweetness, reminiscent of peak-ripened summer watermelon, which persisted through to the finish and lingered subtly in the aftertaste. Although it lacked the acidity that we often appreciate for balancing sweetness in gummies, we did not miss it and thoroughly enjoyed the precise, natural juicy watermelon flavour and the impressive bounce of these gummies.

This Meiji Kajū Gumi Watermelon contained 54 g. It was produced in Japan and purchased in Sydney, Australia in 2023.