Experience Japan’s most luxurious peach, now available in the UK.
🌸 What Makes Yamanashi Peaches So Special?
Japan is world-renowned for its fruit cultivation, and Yamanashi Prefecture is at the very heart of that reputation. Located at the foothills of Mt. Fuji, the region is blessed with mineral-rich volcanic soil, pristine mountain spring water, and dramatic temperature variations between day and night, the perfect environment for developing high-sugar, low-acid peaches with extraordinary flavour.
✨ Characteristics of Yamanashi Peaches
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Colour:
These peaches often have a soft pink-to-rosy blush over creamy yellow skin. The colour is delicate, not overly red or blotchy, and the skin is thin and edible once peeled. -
Taste:
Intensely sweet yet subtle, with floral undertones. Think of the fragrance of a summer garden, mild and elegant. Yamanashi peaches are low in acidity, allowing their natural sweetness to shine through without tartness. -
Texture:
The flesh is remarkably tender, juicy, and almost buttery when perfectly ripe. It melts in your mouth, leaving no stringy or fibrous texture, quite unlike many of the firmer peaches you’ll find in Western grocery stores. -
Sugar Level:
Typically ranging from 12 to 15 Brix, Yamanashi peaches have a significantly higher sugar content than standard peaches (which average around 9–11 Brix). Some premium-grade fruit may even exceed 16 Brix, sweet as some melons.
🇯🇵 Japanese Peach Grading
Every Yamanashi peach is graded meticulously based on:
- Appearance (shape, symmetry, colour)
- Aroma (a sign of ripeness and sugar)
- Sugar Content (measured by Brix meter)
- Skin Quality (blemish-free, velvety skin)
The highest grade, 特秀 (Tokushu / Extra Premium), represents absolute perfection, the kind often given as gifts in Japan.
🍑 How Do They Compare to Peaches in the UK?
Compared to the typical supermarket peaches found in the UK, often imported from Spain, Italy, or South Africa. Yamanashi peaches offer a completely different experience. While UK peaches are usually firm, with thicker skin and a mildly sweet or sometimes tangy taste, Yamanashi peaches are prized for their incredible sweetness, soft and juicy texture, and elegant aroma. On the Brix scale (used to measure sugar content), Yamanashi peaches typically register between 12 to 15 Brix, making them significantly sweeter than the 9 to 11 Brix range commonly found in UK supermarket varieties. Some of the highest-graded Yamanashi peaches can even reach or exceed 16 Brix, offering a dessert-like sweetness that’s truly indulgent. Their refined flavour, low acidity, and melt-in-the-mouth texture make them feel more like a seasonal delicacy than an everyday fruit.
🍽️ Serving Tips
- Chill slightly before serving — but not too cold, as that can mute the flavour.
- Gently peel with your fingers or a paring knife to enjoy the smooth flesh.
- Serve on its own, or pair with:
- Vanilla ice cream
- Ricotta or mascarpone cheese
- Lightly chilled sparkling wine
Our first batch of Yamanashi peaches has just arrived, marking the start of Japan’s summer fruit season. These delicate beauties are flown in fresh and available only for a limited time.
