Deep Crimson-Purple: A Wild Accent for Early Summer

“Mountain grape(山ブドウ)”, which is a wild grape species native to Japan, is a specialty of the cold regions in northern Japan. The berries are small, and to be honest, compared to the table grapes grown by farmers using the very best of the modern technology, they are quite tart; so, I wouldn’t exactly call them “sweet and delicious” when eaten as is.

Yet this wild tartness vividly brings back memories of my childhood, when I used to pick and eat wild strawberries in the woods. These days, I might not wholeheartedly recommend eating wild fruit straight off the vine, but I still remember the secret spots where I used to gather with just a few friends back then, and that special thrill of discovery. I think wild fruits like mountain grapes are special because they open up those memories.

These days, it seems to be gaining renewed attention as a raw material for juice and wine, thanks to its strong acidity, its high levels of polyphenols, iron, and tartaric acid compared to commonly cultivated grapes, and its “deep color” — a characteristic resulting from the high concentration of anthocyanins in its skin.

I’d definitely like to try the wine someday, but for now, let’s start with the sweets that showcase its benefits.

**Sanazura (さなづら)**. This is jelly candy of Akita Prefecture’s specialty made from mountain grape, produced by Eitaro, a long-established confectionery shop founded in 1883. “Sanazura,” is taken directly from a word in the Akita dialect meaning “mountain grape.” Although these are jelly candies, they have been developed to stay fresh for 40 days at room temperature, making them a thoughtful choice for those looking for souvenirs.

“1957” on the package is the released year. The sweets have been around longer than I have.

The illustration on the package is really cute. It gets me excited even before I open it. As I opened it, thinking, “Life would be so much fun if I could draw pictures like this…,” I found jellies wrapped in the same illustration sitting there.

Unboxing — beautiful and thoughtful packaging

As you can see through the packaging, each piece comes with its own kuro-moji (黒文字; a traditional wooden sweet pick). How thoughtful… I suppose this is the kind of treat that was originally meant to be given to someone to eat right away. It shows how thoughtfully the maker imagines the person who will eat it.

Look at this deep reddish-purple. Beautiful.

The texture is that of a thick, chewy jelly. It’s just the right size, and I could finish it in just a few bites. The tartness gives it a clean finish, a perfect “post-eating” satisfaction. It was delicious at room temperature, but since it’s getting warmer in mid-May in Japan, so I personally think it tastes even better when chilled. What’s more, I tried freezing it for a whole day, but it doesn’t freeze. It feels a little less sticky, but I think that texture is actually easier to eat during early to highest summer. Personally, freezing it is actually my favorite way to eat it.

Another great variation was floating small pieces of Sanazura in sparkling water.

Reddish-purple shards, wrapped in carbonated bubbles, are a cool sight to behold.

The distinctive tartness mellows, and fragments of deep purple dance amidst the effervescent bubbles. Ordering special confections from faraway places and enjoying them however I like — that’s why mail-order shopping is the best. Just gazing at the red-purple that lets the sunlight streaming through the window shimmer and sparkle, even while sitting in my own familiar room, makes me think, “Maybe my life is actually the best it could be?”

When facing a task that I’m not looking forward to, or on nights weighed down by sour moments, this is how I quietly reset. Just doing that makes me feel like I’ll be able to return to my neutral, balanced self again tomorrow.

The seasons turn, and next comes “Boshū.” This marks the true feeling of summer, when seeds of grain with awns are sown. Next time, I look forward to welcoming that special treat from Iwate into my room.

Posted: Mountain Grape Jelly from Akita (秋田県) on Syoman (小満) — The season when life begins to grow and fill with vitality.

Next: Sweets of Iwate (岩手県) around Bōshu (芒種) — The season when grains with awns are sown.