Tsugaru Peach Agar Ball Jelly: Popping Open a Cute Aomori Sweet Made with Local Peach Juice

I bought this product at the Hiraka Farmers’ Market, also known as Agrias, in Hirakawa City, Aomori Prefecture. Like the peach bouchée introduced in another article, it was displayed in a special Tsugaru Peach section. Since I was there, I decided to explore Tsugaru peach products more thoroughly and bought this one too. If you are wondering why Aomori is associated with peaches, the peach bouchée article explains the background, so please take a look.

Tsugaru Peach Agar Ball Jelly by JA Mirai and Aomori Souvenir Sales

The sparkling pink agar balls look like jewels and stood out beautifully in the shop. The package itself is simple, using a clear bag so the attractive jellies remain visible. Naturally, it proudly states that peach juice from Aomori Prefecture is used. A bag contains eleven pieces and costs ¥540. The best-before date is printed on the back and is approximately two months away. The ingredients are remarkably simple too, almost like an old-fashioned sweet. This is the type of sweet whose rubber casing is popped with a toothpick, much like Hokkaido’s Marimo Yokan. A toothpick is not included, so use one from home.

What happened when I popped and tasted Tsugaru Peach Agar Ball Jelly?

With a toothpick… Pop! It is a moment I wish I could show in a video. The rubber surrounding the agar seemed to disappear instantly with a snap; more precisely, it shrank beneath the jelly. The agar is genuinely beautiful—almost too pretty to eat. This is how it looks when cut. Now, let’s taste it. The agar is firm enough to cut with a toothpick, so anyone expecting a trembling soft jelly may be surprised. Its unusual texture is closer to yokan. It also resembles the bite-size cube-shaped agar jellies that used to be common. There is a peach aroma but no tartness, and the sweetness is fairly strong. My child loved the beautiful appearance and the fun of popping the wrapper, yet did not eat much of it afterward (laughs). This style of agar jelly was a flavor my grandmother enjoyed, so perhaps it does not appeal as strongly to younger palates. The child was so excited while we were buying it—typical! Still, the appearance is adorable, and older people who enjoy traditional agar jelly should appreciate it. As an adult, I found it quite enjoyable with green tea, treating it like yokan. Thank you for the treat. See below for more Aomori souvenirs!

あわせて読みたい

青森県でお土産を選ぶなら定番のリンゴ菓子からローカル名物、にんにく商品までこの20品をおすすめします！ 本州の最北端に位置する青森県。観光や旅行で訪れる方も多いのではないでしょうか。 青森といえば、なんといっても8月に開催される「ねぶた祭り」が、有名ですよね。暗...

Tsugaru Peach Agar Ball Jelly Product Info, Expiration Date, Manufacturer