Fruit Blog

You’ve decided to delve into the world of gourmet Japanese strawberries, but you’ve found that there are so many delicious varieties to choose from, it’s mind-boggling! How does one choose what variety to try first? Have no fear, Ikigai Fruits is here! We’ve put together this easy sampler guide to our favorite Japanese strawberry varieties so you know exactly what you’re getting before it goes into your cart. Which strawberries are the most flavorful?What type of strawberries are some of the sweetest?Where is the sweetest part of a strawberry? We’re here to help answer these big questions. First, here’s a...

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...

As the Japanese maple leaves ignite in brilliant oranges and reds across the landscape, the crisp air signals the beginning of the Japanese fall fruit season. Perhaps more than any other traditional autumn treat, nothing excites the Japanese palate quite like a perfectly ripe persimmon. In fact, the persimmon is the national fruit of Japan! These delightfully sweet orange delicacies have been a major part of Japanese traditional food culture for hundreds of years. Japanese autumn fruits include grapes, apples and pears, but persimmons have the purest connection to the fall season. You can find persimmons in everything from Japanese...