This is the Kazemaru Farm Nōka ga Hoshita Ringo Kōgyoku, featuring semi-dried pieces of Kōgyoku apples grown in Aomori Prefecture. In Japan, the Jonathan apple is known as Kōgyoku, meaning “crimson jewel.”

The pieces were wedge-shaped and varied in size from 1 to 1.5 cm at their widest. They had a pale yellow hue, with some retaining the red-orange skin. Among the five varieties tasted, these dried apple pieces emitted the most vibrant aroma—rich, juicy, and tart, with a pronounced aromatic presence.

On tasting, the pieces offered slight resistance before yielding, reminiscent of the fresh apple’s crunch, similar to the Fuji variety. The initial sweetness was quickly followed by a bold tartness, significantly more pronounced than in the other four varieties. This bright acidity created a refreshing and vibrant flavour, with a juicy tartness that intensified in the second half of the bite. The combination of gentle crunch and mouthwatering tartness made these dried apples an excellent way to enjoy Kōgyoku apples out of season and suggested their suitability for baking, particularly in apple pies.

This Kazemaru Farm Nōka ga Hoshita Ringo Kōgyoku contained 15 g. It was produced in Japan and purchased in Hirosaki, Japan in 2024.