Tag: “strawberries”

No one loves strawberries quite like the Japanese. Originally brought to Japan by the Dutch in the 1800s, modern-day Japanese people love adding strawberries to everything from Christmas cakes to traditional Japanese sweets like daifuku. This love of this incredibly special fruit has created a unique culture around strawberries rarely experienced by those outside Japan. Major differences between American and Japanese strawberries are in everything from the taste and appearance, to its cultivation method. Each of these aspects of Japanese strawberries is carefully monitored to ensure only the cream of the crop makes it to market. These differences are what...

Photo courtesy of Momoya SoHo Have you ever had a dessert parfait made with Japanese luxury fruits? Parfaits are a rare delicacy in most American dining experiences, but they’re a staple in Japanese dessert culture. Recently, Ikigai Fruits partnered with Momoya SoHo, a popular Japanese establishment in New York City, and Executive Pastry Chef Norie Uematsu to turn our best-selling fruit into dramatic parfaits constructed with meticulous dedication. History of Japanese and American Parfaits Photo courtesy of Momoya SoHo Parfaits originated in France in the late 1800s. The word “parfait” is French for “perfect”1. The original dessert was made with...

Photo courtesy of Mont St. Clair Nobody does strawberry desserts quite like Japan. If there’s one fruit Japanese people love to add to every dessert, it’s strawberries. In any given sweet shop or convenience store, you’ll find delectable goodies like Japanese strawberry sando, Japanese strawberry shortcake, and of course, Japanese strawberry mochi! Few countries take their fruit as seriously as Japan, and that extends to picking only the perfect strawberries for their desserts. Their unique blend of gentle sweetness and mild tartness enhances these dishes in a way no others can imitate. A good strawberry can create a life-changing experience....

For many in the U.S., strawberries are synonymous with warm spring/summer days spent with friends and family, picking fresh fruits from the strawberry fields. This classic spring/summertime activity is eagerly anticipated each year in America. But what if we told you that in Japan, strawberries are celebrated at a completely different time of year? In fact, you can find most Japanese people enjoying their strawberries in the chilly winter months, starting their strawberry season with the holidays. In this article, we’ll answer some questions about Japanese strawberries and introduce you to the perfect varieties of Japanese strawberries for anyone looking...