This alluring jam containing actual flower petals is not just sweet to taste but also gorgeous to look at!
Village Vanguard, the Japanese book shop and miscellaneous merchandise store that continues to fascinate us with all manner of quirky items from miso-soup scented bath powder to adorable trick art baby romper suits, has delivered this time a truly beautiful product that should be a pleasure to both look at and taste.
The product that caught our attention is a jam made from the orange osmanthus plant, a tree that is quite popular in Japan for the distinct and sweet scent of the flowers that bloom in autumn. The plant can be described as a fragrant, orange-colored olive and its scent is said to be fruity, like a peach or apricot. What makes this jam particularly unique is that it contains actual orange osmanthus flower petals.
▼ The bright orange petals suspended in the jam gives it an almost surreal appearance.
The orange osamanthus jam has a gentle flavor, along with the flower’s sweet scent, and contains no artificial coloring, so the vivid color in the bottle comes completely from the flower petals. According to the product description, you can simply mix it in hot water to enjoy orange osmanthus tea, or you can have it with regular tea, sodas or cocktails to create an original drink. If you can just imagine the contrast of colors, it should also look delightfully pretty served on plain yogurt or on desserts like cheesecake or Chinese-style almond jelly.
The osmanthus trees used for the jam were in bloom this year in late September, so they’re now making the jam with new flowers from this season. Apparently, it’s quite a delicate process to make this jam, as each petal is carefully examined and selected by hand using tweezers.
The jam is now available for pre-oder on the Village Vanguard online shop at a price of 648 yen (US$5.84) each, with delivery scheduled for early December. Based on the pictures, we have to say it certainly looks like a pleasant way to enjoy the sight, smell and taste of autumn, all captured in one small jar!
Source, images: PR Times press release
Reference: Village Vanguard online shop
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