The Kyoho Japanese for Giant Mountain Grape is a legendary Japanese hybrid that holds the title of the most planted grape variety in the world by land area It is a cross between the American Vitis labrusca Ishiharawase and European Vitis vinifera Centennial
Physical AppearanceSize They are famously massive often reaching the size of a golf ball or a small plum
Color The skin is a deep jetblack or dark purple often covered in a heavy white bloom a natural waxy coating that signifies freshness
Flesh Inside the flesh is translucent pale green and has a gelatinous juicy texture rather than the crisp crunch of typical green supermarket grapes
The Eating ExperienceSlipSkin Variety This is the Kyohos most famous trait The skin is thick and slightly bitter/tannic so it is traditionally not eaten Instead you pinch the grape and the sweet juicy pulp slips out of the skin easily into your mouth
Flavor Profile It has an incredibly high sugar content 1820 Brix compared to 12 for standard grapes The flavor is often described as foxy or winelike similar to a Concord grape but much sweeter and more refined
Seeds Most traditional Kyohos contain large bitter seeds though modern seedless versions have been developed in recent years
Cultural StatusLuxury Fruit In Japan and South Korea highquality Kyoho clusters are treated as luxury items They are meticulously pruned so that each vine only produces a few perfect bunches which are then sold in highend gift boxes for significant prices
Popular Uses While usually eaten fresh and chilled Kyoho grapes are a staple flavor for Japanese candies jellies ice creams and Chuhi sparkling fruit cocktails