Saika no Hoseki Fruit Jellies from Saitama
Saika no Hoseki is a Tomizen Foods confection of small jellies shaped like fruits, flowers and leaves. Translucent colors, a coating of sugar crystals and a springy, clean bite distinguish...
At a glance
| Name | Saika no Hoseki Fruit Jellies from Saitama (Saika no Hoseki) |
|---|---|
| Prefecture | Saitama |
| Region | Kanto |
| Type | fruit-shaped pectin jellies |
What is it?
Saika no Hoseki is a Tomizen Foods confection of small jellies shaped like fruits, flowers and leaves. Translucent colors, a coating of sugar crystals and a springy, clean bite distinguish it from soft cup jelly.
The range includes 28 fruit flavors, plus flower-shaped, tea and premium varieties. An assortment may contain 15 fruit varieties; it does not necessarily include all 28. Choose the flavors and number of pieces to suit the recipients.
History and local context
Tomizen Foods was founded in 1953 and developed pectin jelly in 1970. Sales under the Saika no Hoseki name began in Mitsukoshi’s Kayuan confectionery section in 1993.
The jellies are set with pectin extracted from fruit peel, without gelatin. Fruit-shaped outlines and grains of sugar give them a distinctive appearance and bite.
Urawa Corso is a three-minute walk from the west exit of Urawa Station; the Minami-Urawa shop is two minutes from that station’s east exit. For the Oomagi main shop, take a bus from Urawa to Komagata and walk three minutes, or from Higashi-Urawa to Omagi Kominkan and walk two minutes. Check opening days in the official shop list and ask the shop about stock of the desired assortment.
Fruit jellies have a best-before period of six months including the month of manufacture, not six months after delivery. A year-and-month date on the outer package means the end of that month. Check the actual box against the date you will give and eat the gift.
Keep the sweets in a cool place out of direct sun. Refrigeration or freezing does not extend the printed date. Cookie sandwiches have a four-month period including the production month; seasonal Tokimeki Hannari Chocolat has three months. Their dates differ from those of fruit jellies.
How to enjoy it
Take small bites and chew well to enjoy the sugar coating and fruit aroma. Unsweetened black or green tea pairs well with a tasting of strawberry, citrus and other favorite flavors.
Young children and older people need care because the resilient jellies can cause choking. Cut them into manageable pieces and supervise eating. Small pieces of fruit peel or seeds may be present.
Sources and further reading
Order from Japan
Search Rakuten Japan using the original Japanese food name. Search results and product pages may be available only in Japanese.
This section contains an advertising affiliate link to Rakuten Japan.