This is the Nippon Yell Gummy Yamanashi Black King, made with juice from Yamanashi Prefecture’s original grape variety, Black King. The Black King grape, a cross between Pione and the Kyōhō variety Yamanashi No. 46, is a relatively new cultivar known for its large size (around 20 g per grape) and rich flavour. From the 2024 harvest onwards, the name of this variety has been changed to Kai King.

Each gummy was dome-shaped, measuring approximately 2 cm in diameter and 1 cm in height. It had an opaque orange–purple hue and a musky red grape aroma.

On tasting, the gummy exterior provided a firm, bouncy chew that gave way to a softer jelly core. The surface was free of sugar or sour crystals, with the white specks being residual flour from the moulding process. The outer gummy carried a gentle sweetness, while the jelly centre concentrated the rich, full-bodied flavour. Together, the two components extended the chew time and created a layered effect, with the outer gummy contributing a light acidity on repeated chews that balanced the core’s sweetness. The result was a juicy, musky grape flavour reminiscent of labrusca-style grapes, with a satisfying finish that captured the distinctive sweetness of Black King.

Overall, a well-crafted gummy that highlights the unique flavour profile of this rare grape variety, delivering depth and balance in a playful format.

This Nippon Yell Gummy Yamanashi Black King contained 40 g. It was produced in Japan and purchased in Tōkyō, Japan in 2024.