What Makes Japanese Strawberries So Special? A Guide to Types, Treats,

There are more than 312 varieties of strawberries grown in Japan. For context, the entire world only has about 600 different types. This means that Japan grows half of the strawberry varieties in the whole world. The Japanese strawberry industry does not only generate revenue for the country through exports but also provides food and dessert ingredients for the general population. These unique fruits are beloved both home and abroad because of their diversity, taste, and versatility. In this post, we’ll share key facts about the Japanese strawberry. Get ready to discover why it's so special and the different kinds of desserts you can make with it. What Is So Special About Japanese Strawberries? Japanese strawberries are famous for their beautiful appearance, intense sweetness, and precise cultivation methods. They come in a wide variety of colors, ranging from blood red to snow white. “Visually striking” is the best way to describe the appearance of these luxury fruits. Unlike strawberries in other countries, the berries in Japan are sweet and not sour. You may taste a slight acidity in some species, but overall, Japanese strawberries have a unique sweet taste. They are also available throughout the year, including winter, which is generally considered an unfavorable season to grow strawberries. Farmers in Japan achieve this feat by growing their strawberries in large greenhouses, which create artificial, favorable weather for the plants. Why Are Japanese Strawberries So Expensive? Certain varieties of Japanese strawberries, like kotoka and bijin-hime, are some of the most expensive fruits in the world. People have been known to pay as much as $780 for them. High prices are not limited to luxury options only. The average retail price of regular strawberries in the US is $3.80 per pound, and that of Japanese strawberries is $8 per pound. This means that varieties from Japan are more than twice as expensive as others. These price points may leave you wondering why Japanese strawberries are so expensive. The following factors drive up the prices of these fruits: Special farming techniques: The use of high-tech farming facilities like greenhouses and hydroponics tends to increase the production cost of these fruits. Unique flavors: They are incredibly sweet, which is a sharp contrast to the sour and tart flavors of other kinds of strawberries. Sellers price sweet strawberries higher because of the demand for them. Labor cost: Most of the strawberries harvested in Japan are hand-picked. The cost of labor is greater in the country than in others, so farmers have to pay their staff more money. Out-of-season: Thanks to innovative, albeit expensive, farming techniques, healthy and fresh Japanese strawberries are available outside their natural seasons. Hence, you may need to pay more to get them in winter. What Is the Most Expensive Strawberry in Japan? With a cost of up to $350 per piece, bijin hime is arguably the most expensive strawberry variety in Japan. Grown on a farm in Gifu Prefecture, it’s considered a luxury strawberry due to its large size and perfect sweetness. Unlike regular berries that have whitish insides, bijin hime maintains its red color in every layer. This fruit has not the slightest bit of acidity. Rather, its flavor can best be described as exceptionally sweet. When we pair all of those traits with the fact that the Bijin Hime has a plump and juicy appearance, you will understand why it's so expensive. No term describes it better than its name, “bijin hime,” which translates to "beautiful princess” in English. Other Japanese strawberry varieties that can be considered expensive include amaou, kokota, and Hatsukoi no Kaori (white strawberries). What Does a White Strawberry Taste Like? Not every strawberry has a red color, as proven by the existence of Japanese white strawberries. These are less acidic, sweeter, and more floral than your regular red berries. They also produce red seeds instead of the typical white seeds. Due to their aesthetic appeal, white strawberries make the perfect birthday, wedding, and anniversary gifts. If you’re interested in offering white strawberries as a gift or having a taste yourself, the best way to do it is with the iconic Bokksu White Strawberry 6-Piece Box. It features premium freeze-dried strawberries from Nagano Prefecture in Japan. But that’s not all. The product holds the accolade of being the first chocolate-infused strawberry in the world. ==https://www.bokksumarket.com/products/bokksu-white-strawberry== Iconic Japanese Strawberry Shortcake The Japanese strawberry shortcake is a light and fluffy dessert made by filling a sponge cake with fresh strawberry slices. This cake is so soft and delicate that it dissolves when you put it in your mouth. It consists of three main components: sponge cake, whipped cream, and strawberries. In Japan, the strawberry shortcake is a popular feature during celebrations and holidays. As a result, it has been nicknamed the “Japanese Christmas cake.” Japanese Strawberry Shortcake Recipe: A Delight at Home You can easily make this popular dessert cuisine at home. All you need are the following ingredients: Japanese strawberries of any variety, butter, milk, sugar, cornstarch, baking powder or soda, eggs, vegetable oil, cold whipping cream, and all-purpose flour. You can add vanilla extract for vanilla sponge cake. Use the steps below to make the dish: Line the base of a cake tin with parchment paper. Whisk egg yolk, milk, vegetable oil, cornstarch, baking powder, and flour in a bowl and egg whites with sugar in another bowl or stand mixer. Put the combined batter in the cake tin and place the tin in a container of simmering water. Bake in a 150°C preheated oven for just over an hour. Remove the tin from the oven and allow it to cool before carving out the sponge cake and wrapping it in a paper towel or plastic wrap. Microwave sugar and water for 30 seconds to make sugar syrup. Slice the strawberries into halves and the cake into three layers. Fill the spaces between each layer with a brush of sugar syrup, a thin layer of fresh whipped cream, a layer of strawberry halves, and a layer of more whipped cream. Using a piping bag, ice the cake with the remaining whipped cream frosting and decorate with berries of your choice. What Is a Japanese Fruit Sandwich Made Of? The Japanese fruit sandwich (fruit sando) is a simple and tasty treat that you can find in cafes across the country. It’s made by filling two milk bread slices with fresh cream and fruits. The milk bread is called shokupan, and it is made of honey, bread flour, milk powder, yeast, and unsalted butter. Some common fruits used in the sandwich are strawberry, kiwi, blueberry, mango, and orange. Strawberry sando is the most popular kind globally and is a staple in Japan. What Does Strawberry Sando Taste Like? Strawberry sando has a mildly sweet and creamy taste of milk bread combined with the juicy burst of the strawberries inside the sandwich. The taste is both light and refreshing, which is why so many people love it as an afternoon treat. Seasonal Delicacies: When Is the Best Time for Japanese Strawberries? Unlike in other countries where farmers harvest strawberries in the summer, Japan’s peak harvest season for strawberries is in winter. Its season is considerably extended from December to May of the next year, thanks to the use of greenhouses and other advanced farming practices. Hence, you will find Japanese strawberries in abundance during winter and spring when they are used as seasonal gifts. The Global Impact of Japanese Strawberry Cultivation Japan exports millions of dollars worth of strawberries to other countries each year. It is the top exporter in Asia after South Korea. Many countries rely on Japan for their out-of-season supply of fresh strawberries, thanks to the farming methods used in the country. Hence, December is an especially important month for strawberry cultivation and exportation in Japan. Experience Strawberry Delights Beyond Fresh Berries There are many other ways to enjoy these berries besides eating them as raw fruits. The following are popular strawberry-inspired treats you can enjoy at home: Strawberry chocolate: This treat is made by coating slices of strawberry with melted chocolate. Chocolate-covered strawberries are pretty easy to make at home when you review recipe instructions on sites like Bokksu. If you prefer strawberry-infused chocolate, you can try Kit Kats. Ichigo daifuku (strawberry mochi): Soft and chewy Japanese rice cake can be stuffed with slices of strawberry. Strawberry milkshake: This is a blend of strawberries, milk, ice cream, honey, and vanilla. Where to Buy Japanese Strawberry Treats Finding local stores that sell treats made from real Japanese strawberries can be difficult in the U.S. Explore Bokksu Market for authentic Japanese strawberry snacks. Our premium Bokksu White Strawberry 6-Piece Box is the ideal way to enjoy strawberries from Japan. It is also the perfect gift for the holidays and special occasions. ==https://www.bokksumarket.com/products/bokksu-white-strawberry==