Japanese fruits are pretty well-known for two things: their amazing taste and their high costs. The Yubari melon, Fuji apples and Kyoho grapes are just some of the big examples. However, arguably the country’s most famous luxury fruit is the Japanese strawberry. These tasty berries have taken the country and the world of Japanese snacks by storm.
That’s why we’re taking a dive into Japanese strawberries, including what makes them special, if they’re worth the price point, and different strawberry types and snacks!
What makes Japanese Strawberries Special?
So what makes Japanese strawberries special and gives them their luxury status? Well, it can really be divided into three areas: quality, flavor profile and variety.
And when we say variety, we mean variety. Image via Instagram
Quality: Japan is becoming more and more well-known for their high-quality luxury strawberries, with more and more shipments of strawberries headed overseas every year. This is partially because the quality standards are extremely high.
To ensure that each berry is perfectly sweet, juicy and soft, each individual strawberry is evaluated by hand. This high standard also includes flavor tests, being tasted by members of agricultural boards and research centers. It also includes scientific tests to see if it's in a particular range of sweetness and acidity.
Fun Fact: It can happen that a new cultivar passes the flavor and agricultural standard but is also not fit for farm production. The Hinoshizuku strawberry is a perfect example. It was perfect in both quality and flavor but was vulnerable to diseases and both hard to grow and to manage delivery times.
Only the best of the best go out to market here in Japan, whether it's the supermarket or fresh from the farm itself. Image via Instagram
Flavor Profile: My frame of reference is the US, and comparing the two countries, Japan tends to have strawberries that are sweeter, less tart and less acidic overall. This is partially because Japan in general is not as receptive to the level of sourness that the US’s sweet-and-sour strawberries provide.
Variety: Japan also enjoys a huge variety of strawberry types, with the number sitting at over 300 varieties. Each variety includes a different level of sweetness, acidity & tartness, shape and texture. These cultivars also vary in color, with the standard deep red being complemented with light pink and white strawberries as well!
Why Do Japanese Strawberries Get So Expensive?
Sweets using luxury strawberries can be a good way to experience these Japanese strawberries at a lower price point. Image via Instagram
Japan is well-known for its expensive fruits, some of which we’ll talk about in future blogs, and Japanese luxury strawberries are no exception. Some strawberries can cost more than a cup of coffee at Starbucks for a single strawberry. The top-quality ones can even go for over $10 per berry. But why is that?
It really breaks down to the fact that you’re paying for the labor, strict standards and quality that goes into an individual berry. Growing strawberries isn't a numbers game. Plants have to be trimmed in such a way that the plant directs all of its energy to a smaller amount of strawberries, creating higher quality but lower quantity.
Then, the ones that are picked have to be inspected meticulously by hand. Any strawberries with imperfections, including damage or holes, are tossed out. That means that these luxury strawberries are giving you the best of the best, but there aren’t that many of them available, upping both quality and rarity.
Are they worth the price?
In Japan, boxes of high-quality strawberries, like this, make for a great gift option! Image via Instagram
I would say, “yes!” Luxury Japanese strawberries are delicious and have a more complex flavor than most other strawberries that you’d find in a supermarket. Again, the sweetness is often out of this world and the tartness and acidity tend to be more subtle and complementary.
It’s even to the point where many strawberry farmers recommend eating the strawberries as is, to enjoy the full, natural flavor of the berry, without any type of topping or turning it into something else. (That doesn’t stop us from eating fancy jams and pies.) Even if you just get one to try, it is definitely worth trying some of the most popular varieties at least once.
Fun Fact: The correct way to eat a strawberry is actually from the top. Cut or pull the stem first and take a bite from the top. Then with your second bite, you eat the bottom (the rest). This is because the sweetest part of a strawberry is actually the bottom where the sugar is more concentrated.
When is Strawberry Season in Japan?
While farmers put their all into growing these tasty Japanese strawberries, some of these won't even make it to market! Image via Unsplash
So when is the best time to enjoy strawberries in Japan? The answer is all year! Although the standard harvest season would be April to May, greenhouses allow people to enjoy strawberries year-round, even in winter.
The winter holiday is an especially popular season for these red, pink or white berries, thanks to the Japanese Christmas cake. Christmas cakes tend to be synonymous with strawberry shortcakes, featuring tons of whipped cream and plenty of strawberries. So while this berry is available all year, the hype for it really starts in December and goes until the summer.
Fun Fact: Greenhouses are essential to the growth of Japanese strawberries. They are very sensitive and several factors can affect their growth and flavor, including temperature, amount of sunlight, moisture and dryness. That’s why greenhouses with constant supervision are vital to the Japanese strawberry market.
Luckily, greenhouses make strawberries available year-round! Image via Unsplash
Types of Japanese Strawberry
Amaou Strawberry
Let’s start with the “King of Strawberries”! Amaou Strawberries are Japan’s most famous strawberry and are one of the varieties that go for a premium price. Amaou Strawberry is exclusively grown in Fukuoka, which has a strong trademark on the berry, only offering it to strawberries grown in the prefecture that meet the standard.
Amaou strawberries are very popular and often pop up in cafes and dessert shops as a seasonal feature item! Image via Instagram
They are particularly large and very sweet with a low acidity and a firm texture. The standards are particularly high for Amaou strawberries, with any berries lacking in taste, shape or appearance being rejected. These standards are also outlined in the name itself as Amaou is both an acronym (A・Ma・O・U) and a portmanteau for the following:
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Amai (sweet)
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MArui (round)
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Ookii (big)
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Umai (delicious)
Part of the reason why this particular variety is so protected is that it isn’t a wild plant. This cultivar was researched and cross-bred for a whole six years with the aim of creating an even juicier, sweeter strawberry. Once it was ready, it became one of Fukuoka’s greatest treasures.
Other Popular Types of Japanese Strawberry
Beni Hoppe
Beni Hoppe is more common than other types, but is still well-loved for its balanced flavor. Image via Instagram
Beni Hoppe is a variety from Shizuoka. It’s most common in winter and early spring and has a sweet and sour flavor profile. It gets its name from its particularly vibrant red color.
Tochiotome Strawberry
Tochiotome was created in the late 90s in Tochigi prefecture and is credited by some as being the cultivar that expanded what was possible with Japanese strawberries. It has a more pointed shape and balanced flavor overall.
Tochiaika
Tochiaika is also from Tochigi, but was developed in 2019 as Tochigi’s next generation strawberry. It’s actually sweeter and less acidic than Tochiotome while also being larger, deeper in color and softer (yet still firm) in texture. The name Tochiaika is also a portmanteau for "TOCHIgi no AIsareru KAjitsu (Tochigi's Beloved Fruit)".
This newer cultivar has already made a name for itself with its flavor. Image via Instagram
Sachinoka
Sachinoka is more of a fragrance-focused strawberry. It has a deep red color, a softer texture, a mild sweetness and a nice acidity. However, most noticeably, it has a stronger fragrance that releases the second you slice or bite into one. This variety is popular for pastries as it pairs well with cream, custard and sponge cake.
Yayoihime
Yayoihime strawberries are from Gunma and are well-known for their large size, pale red color and flavor profile. These berries are very sweet and have a low acidity. They’re also known to be very juicy.
Awayuki
Awayuki strawberries are one of the whiter, pale pink varieties. This one comes from Kagoshima and has a mild, low acidity but also a subtle sweetness.
Fun Fact: White strawberries tend to be too sour for the Japanese palate, but Japanese farmers and agricultural researchers found ways to make them sweeter for the market.
The light pink Awayuki are popular for their sakura-like color as well as their flavor. Image via Instagram
Japanese Strawberry Treats
Strawberries & Milk or Condensed Milk:
Strawberries and milk (or condensed milk) is a classic combination all over the world, but is especially popular in Japan. This is because, originally, only Noho and Toyonoka strawberries were available, both of which were quite sour to Japanese folks. To cut the sourness, people often paired the berries with either milk and sugar or condensed milk.
In fact, you can still find condensed milk with pictures of strawberries on them since they’re so intertwined image-wise. The combination of dairy and strawberries extends to most of the treats on this list honestly.
Japanese Strawberry Shortcake
Strawberry shortcakes were actually once a luxury treat but now everyone enjoys these treats. Image via Instagram
This treat is synonymous with both birthdays and Christmas in Japan. With sponge cake, tons of whipped cream and plenty of strawberries, the Japanese strawberry shortcake is an iconic combination of flavors, perfect for ending a winter holiday party or birthday party.
Strawberry Fruit Sando
This treat doesn’t have as much hype as the egg sandwich, but it is still a treat that tons of people love. This treat is really simple, with Japanese bread, plenty of whipped cream and plenty of strawberries. However, it’s simplicity leads to a perfect balance of sweet, creamy and tart. My friends who have visited Japan are obsessed with Japan’s fruit sandos.
Ichigo Daifuku
The red bean paste is essential for added sweetness, but a white bean paste is a common substitute (just as sweet and a bit smoother than red bean). Image via Freepik
Ichigo daifuku is an amazing take on daifuku mochi and features the iconic pounded rice cake stuffed with anko (red bean paste) and strawberry. Juicy strawberries add amazing depth and flavor to the already tasty combo of anko and mochi.
Amaou Strawberry Kit Kats
Part of the regional series of Japanese Kit Kats, the Amaou Strawberry Kit Kats represent the Kyushu region. These aren’t just your standard strawberry chocolate, with a flavor that perfectly captures the sweet flavor and fragrance of the “king of strawberries,” from the wafers to the chocolate.
Kuzefuku Amaou Strawberry Jam
This is one of our favorite items to enjoy in the morning with butter and toast. Image via Instagram
Yes, many experts say you should enjoy strawberries as is, but the Kuzefuku Amaou Strawberry Jam is a great way to enjoy the taste of Japanese strawberry. This jam is rich, juicy and sweet and is perfect for sandwiches, desserts and more!
Bourbon Millefeuille Chocolat Amaou Strawberry Cookies
While a millefeuille can be a luxurious treat, these affordable mini-millefeuilles are a great option for snacktime. This treat features layers of wafer that sandwich rich Amaou strawberry cream that are then enveloped in a layer of chocolate.
Press Butter Sand Cream Sandwich Cookies
These tasty sandwich cookies are made with a delicious butter cookie outer surrounding a rich buttercream and butter caramel. Each component is blended with Amaou strawberry paste, freeze-dried strawberries and strawberry juice, creating a luxurious experience bursting with strawberry flavor in every bite.
These treats have really put the taste of strawberry into every bite and have a perfect balance of soft cream and caramel and hard buttery cookie! Image via Instagram
Now that the world of Japanese strawberries has been demystified, all that’s left is to try one or a Japanese strawberry treat for yourself! Shop tons of strawberry treats here at MiauMall!
References
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Ikigai Fruits (ikigaifruits.com)
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Tokyo Weekender (tokyoweekender.com)
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JapanGov (japan.go.jp)
- Ichigo no Sato (JP) (https://www.itigo.co.jp/fruit/ichigo/tochiaika/)
