Usu-Beni is a luxurious Japanese confection made from Jonathan apples grown in Aomori Prefecture. The apples are sliced into round pieces, gently simmered in sugar, and then dried to create a fruit glacé with a pleasantly chewy texture and a refined balance of sweetness and acidity.
Usu-Beni is made using Jonathan apples, a variety known in Japan as “Kogyoku.” These apples are prized for their fragrant aroma and distinctive tartness.
Although the finished apple slices are coated with sugar, Usu-Beni is not as sweet as its appearance might suggest. The natural acidity and rich aroma of the Jonathan apple remain noticeable, creating a refreshing balance with the sweetness.
The apple flesh develops a unique texture during the cooking and drying process. It becomes soft and pleasantly elastic, somewhat like jelly or a gummy candy.
As you chew, the sweet-and-tart flavor of the apple gradually spreads across your palate. The combination of chewy texture, fruity aroma, and gentle acidity makes Usu-Beni quite different from ordinary dried fruit.
Great care is taken in selecting the apples used for Usu-Beni. From the round slices obtained by cutting each apple, only pieces with a particularly attractive shape and a diameter of approximately 7 cm are chosen.
Because only a small number of slices meet these standards, just around two pieces can be made from a single Jonathan apple. This careful selection contributes to the product’s premium character.
Usu-Beni is made by Okina-ya, a long-established Japanese confectionery founded in 1918 (Taisho 7). The shop has developed this elegant confection by transforming Aomori apples into a sweet that combines traditional Japanese craftsmanship with a Western-style feel.
Usu-Beni pairs particularly well with Japanese tea, black tea, and coffee. Its moderate sweetness and pleasant tartness make it easy to enjoy alongside a hot drink without becoming overly heavy.
With its beautiful round shape, fragrant Jonathan apple flavor, and soft, chewy texture, Usu-Beni is a sophisticated Aomori specialty that allows you to enjoy the character of locally grown apples in an entirely different form.