Japan has a wide variety of snacks, but it is the Japanese “gummy” that is hot with a full lineup and layers of products.
Japanese gummies are popular overseas as well. Each manufacturer of Japanese gummies has a high level of product development, and they are constantly evolving into something better through friendly competition.
I used to dislike the texture of gummy bears and would not eat them willingly.
However, in recent years, Japanese gummy bears have become much tastier than in the past, and I remember being surprised when I tried them for the first time in a long time a few years ago.
So in this article, I will give an overview of Japanese gummy bears, their appeal points, as well as recommended gummy bears and how to enjoy them, including my own experiences.
I hope that you will find this article interesting and inspiring.
To review, what are “gummies”?
Gummies are elastic candies made from gelatin or pectin, and originated in 1922 when the German company Haribo introduced “Gold Bears”.
It was developed to provide the fun of chewing and is now popular all over the world.
In Japan, “Cola-up” was introduced in 1980, followed by “Fruit Juice Gummies” and other hit products, which led to rapid growth of the market.
Today, products with a variety of flavors and textures are being developed, and health-conscious products are also on the rise.
How are Japanese gummies different from foreign gummies?
Japanese gummies are characterized by their soft, delicate texture and juiciness, and many flavors and unique shapes make the most of fruit juice.
In addition, they are generally packaged with a zipper for easy storage and convenience.
On the other hand, foreign gummies are hard and chewy, with sour and rich flavors and a colorful appearance.
In this way, Japanese gummies have evolved in their own unique way in terms of texture and taste, and are characterized by the fact that even a small piece of gummy provides a sense of satisfaction.
There are quite a few differences between foreign gummies and Japanese gummies, including the texture.
Three Attractions of Japanese Gummies
I have summarized some of the attractions of Japanese gummy bears that I find appealing.
Evolution of diverse textures
Japanese gummies offer a wide variety of “softness,” “elasticity,” and “chewiness.
Meiji “Fruit Juice Gummies” have a juicy soft texture, while Kabaya “Tough Gummies” are designed to be hard and long chewable like gum.
In addition, UHA “Kororo” pursues a new sensation of elasticity and plumpness to create a texture that transcends conventional concepts.
The fact that each product offers a choice of different textures creates a never-ending enjoyment.
Delicate taste and flavor
Meiji Fruit Juice Gummies,” which are rich in fruit juice, and ‘Kabaya Pureal Gummies,’ which reproduce the flavor of domestic fruit, emphasize natural sweet and sour tastes.
Unlike the rich flavors of foreign countries, these products feature a taste design that is refreshing and has depth.
Powder coating (e.g., Kanro “Puree Gummi”) adds an accent of sourness, and other innovations are seen to allow consumers to enjoy a change in taste in a single bite.
Functionality and premium quality
In response to growing health consciousness, products containing collagen and vitamin C are on the rise.
Premium gummies made with premium fruits and products using organic ingredients and environmentally friendly packaging are also on the rise.
Going beyond the traditional image of a snack, these products have established themselves as gift demand and as a luxury item for adults.
The fact that “experiential value of food” is condensed into a small piece matches today’s consumer needs.
The inclusion of vitamin C and other ingredients with health in mind may be a major difference from foreign gummy bears.
Japanese gummies I recommend
Here are some of the popular gummies and my recommendations.
What I recommend
Unique Japanese gummies
What I recommend
Meiji Fruit Juice Gummi Grapes
✅ Recommended Points
- Characterized by its soft and juicy texture, the sweet and sour taste of grapes is reproduced with a blend of fruit juices.
- The fruit-shaped grapes are cute and ideal for relaxation.
- A long-selling product that has led the Japanese gummy market since its launch in 1988.
UHA Ajikakusugasugar Kororo
✅ Recommended Points
- A new sensation with a plump texture, characterized by its fruit-like elasticity.
- It has a strong sense of fruit juice, and offers the experience of eating real fruit.
- This is a standard product that is gaining popularity, especially among young people.
Kanro Puree Gummi Grape
✅ Recommended Points
- Features a combination of sour powder on the surface and juicy gummies.
- The rich taste of grapes and muscats is reproduced using the “two-stage fruit juice preparation method,” allowing consumers to enjoy a deeper taste sensation with each piece.
It is surprising that there are about five different types of puree gummies in the same grape flavor.
Unique Japanese gummies
Okis Sweet Potato Soft Gummi
✅ Recommended Points
- Made from Kagoshima sweet potatoes, these gummies reproduce the texture of two types of sweet potatoes: baked and fukashi sweet potatoes.
- It features a rich, sweet flavor and the convenience of individual packaging.
- A new concept that incorporates elements of traditional sweet potato snacks.
Morinaga Seika Oodama Choco Ball Gummi Grapes
✅ Recommended Points
- Sticky gummy bears are enclosed in a chocolate coating.
- This hybrid confectionery combines the aroma of cocoa and the sour taste of grapes, and is widely popular among both children and adults.
Kanro Gummi Tzel
✅ Recommended Points
- These pretzel-shaped pastel-colored gummies stand out for their cute appearance.
- Sold only in Tokyo and Osaka, they are in high demand as souvenirs. The texture is light and the gap between appearance and taste is appealing.
The texture of gummy tzels is strange, like nothing I’ve ever felt before.
Column: Collaboration with travel guidebooks!
Japanese gummies have a remarkable fusion of local culture and trends, and are characterized by visual playfulness, such as globe-shaped, shark-shaped, and gem-cut shapes.
In particular, “Chikyu no Arukikata Gummi India” is a unique collaboration with a travel guidebook, reproducing local spice flavors and providing a cultural experience through food.
Such products stimulate demand for souvenirs as “eating tourism.
It is unfortunate that this product does not seem to be on sale at the moment, but there are various gummy bears created through such collaboration with different industries, so please look for them.
Three ways to enjoy Japanese gummies for foreigners visiting Japan
To enjoy izakaya to its fullest, try these tips:
✅ ASMR experience of sound and texture
In recent years, ASMR videos in which people enjoy the “crunch” and “crunch” sounds of chewing gummies and the “pop” sound of opening the package have become popular, especially among Generation Z.
In particular, “Shari-Monin Gummi” creates a two-stage texture with the crunchy outside and the munimuni feeling inside, and the chewing sound has a soothing effect.
The video is spread on SNS with the tag “#Gummi ASMR” and is seen as a fresh “sound culture” by foreigners.
✅ Regional limited fruit gummy eating comparison
Gummies made from specialty fruits from various regions of Japan (e.g., Benimagane from Ehime, Nanko-Ume from Wakayama) are attracting attention as souvenirs.
The texture changes when frozen in the freezer, and can be arranged to be enjoyed in a sherbet-like manner.
Food comparison tours are popular among foreigners as a “teaching tool for learning about Japanese geography and food culture.
✅ Creative cooking using gummy bears
New ways to enjoy gummy bears in cooking are spreading.
Yogurt parfaits using Meiji’s “fruit juice gummies” and Caprese-style salads can be arranged by combining them with cured ham and cheese.
In addition, recipes exist for adult-oriented desserts soaked in brandy or utilized as a sauce for roast beef, offering a high degree of flexibility in cooking.
The multifaceted enjoyment of Japanese gummies, with their “sound, regional characteristics, and ability to be arranged,” offers an experience that goes beyond mere confectionery.
You can easily taste Japanese gummies at home!
You can buy popular Japanese gummies and limited-edition gummies that are only available in certain regions of Japan on Amazon.
In this article, I would like to introduce some of my recommended gummies that are available on Amazon.
Please use them as a reference for your souvenir selection.
If you are interested, check out the following products on Amazon!
[2foods] 2Gummy LIPOSOME VC グミ (6袋セット) リポソームビタミンC ビタミンC 1,000mg (リポソーム ペクチン グミサプリ グレープ 美容グミ)
It is quite interesting that you can eat your favorite gummi and get vitamin C as well.
