Japanese Aomori Sugoi Apples: Exceptional Taste Beyond Ordinary

"An apple a day keeps the doctor away." From a young age, we have all been familiar with apples, but the Japanese Aomori Sugoi apple is known worldwide for its exceptional taste. It is even considered the finest apple variety in the world. Compared to ordinary apples, it is like comparing an average steak to the  A5 wagyu beef!

Located just south of Hokkaido, Aomori prefecture has a population of approximately 1.28 million people and is one of the few regions in Japan where agriculture, forestry, and fishing are the main industries. It is also the most well-known apple-growing region in Japan. Of Japan's total apple production of approximately 900,000 tons annually, 500,000 tons come from Aomori Prefecture, earning it the title of "Japan's number one apple kingdom."

The Sugoi Oulin apple and the Sun Fuji apple produced in Aomori are highly popular among Japanese people and people around the world. Let's take a closer look at these two national treasures of Japan. 

Sugoi Sun Fuji Apples: Obsessed by the Japanese

In the late 1930s, breeders at the Tohoku branch of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Experimental Station in Fujisaki-cho, Aomori Prefecture, began breeding Fuji apples, which were then introduced to the market in 1962. The Sun Fuji apple was developed by crossbreeding two variants that originated in the United States.

In Japan, the Fuji apple is very popular and accounts for half of Aomori Prefecture's apple production. Japanese people prefer the crisp and sweet taste of the Sun Fuji apple and even begin to reject other types of apples, resulting in a low import volume of apples in Japan.

 

Sweeter than Regular Apples by 1-1.5 Degrees

The Sugoi Sun Fuji apple, which advocates"removing no leaf," retains approximately 60 leaves per apple, and under sufficient sunlight, it constantly produces more nutrients through photosynthesis. This allows the mature  SUGOI Sun Fuji apple, which has fallen off the tree, to have a unique flavor with an even sweeter taste, by 1-1.5 degrees more than regular apples.

 

The Secret of their Softer Skin

The Sugoi Sun Fuji apple is harvested in late October to early November, but why is there such a long gap between the harvest and sale of the Sun Fuji apple? When the Sun Fuji apple is harvested, each apple is carefully placed in a bag by the farmer and then stored in a specialized refrigerator to maintain its freshness, allowing it to hibernate until spring. Because of this special care, the skin of the Fuji apple is softer and more brightly colored than that of regular apples.

Sugoi Oulin apple: the "King of the Apple World"

Our typical impression of apples is a round shape with plump, bright red skin, but the yellow-green Sugoi Oulin apple is known as the "King of the Apple World" and is the second largest apple produced in Aomori Prefecture, following the Sun Fuji apple.

 

A Unique Apple Variety

Unlike typical apples, the Sugoi Oulin apple has a yellow-green skin that turns brown spots when mature. The yellow fruit may taste slightly sour as many people think, but the Sugoi Oulin apple grown in Aomori Prefecture is less sour and has a sweeter, juicier taste with a unique aroma, just as addictive as the Sun Fuji apple.

 

Factors that Lead to the Yellow Apple

Why are there yellow apples? It is because there are three different pigments in apples: red, yellow, and green. Depending on the variety and the length of exposure to sunlight, the degree of coloration of each apple variety will differ.

 

The Sugoi Oulin apple and the Sun Fuji apple produced in Aomori are highly popular fruits. If you are an apple lover, let’s get them in bulk while they are in season! Even if you are not a fan of apples, the Sugoi Oulin apple and the Sun Fuji apple are definitely worth a try. Get yourselves a taste of the kings of the apple world! 

 

 

Reference

The secret of Japanese Aomori Apple's success. Apple University (n.d.). https://www.ringodaigaku.com/taiwanese/aomoriringo/index_ta.html