Mitsuya Cider promises that it’ll taste like cider, at least, that’s what I got from the packaging. “Cider” is not a flavor I see often in hard candy, and Japanese hard candy hasn’t been as disappointing as Western hard candy-at least the Japanese candy I’ve tried so far.

The people who make Mitsuya Cider, Asahi, are part of the same giant mega-corp who manufacture alcoholic beverages, pharmaceuticals, and soft drinks. It would make sense for a huge beverage company to make candy modeled after their own drinks. Mitsuya Cider is an Asahi beverage, which is said to taste like “Sprite”. Mitsuya Cider is also available in white peach, grape, lemon and mikan (orange).

Packaging

The bag has bold fonts, which make it easy to read the giant English words on the front. Good use of colors and transparent materials add interest to the packaging. The apple on the front is further proof the candy is of the apple cider variety. Three balls on the packaging display the candies inside, which are individually packaged.

Each candy is individually wrapped and labeled according to flavor. Interestingly, there are two “cider” flavors, making a total of four flavors, despite the packaging on the front. Bonus flavor? One packet is green and simply says “Mitsuya Cider” and the other is yellow, sports an apple and also reads “Mitsuya Cider”. So which one is cider? And why bother calling both cider, since cider is made from apples and only one packet has an apple? I’ll bet the one with the apple is the apple cider…
Score: A

Appearance

Hard candy only works for me if it’s in ball form. Mitsuya Cider are nickel-sized balls with a satiny sheen. The pastel colors of pink, white, buttercup and peach are attractive matches for the satin glossiness.
Score: A

Texture

Mitsuya Cider takes a page from its beverage pedigree and fizzes in a subtle manner as it dissolves. The effervescence isn’t a violent action, but a steady, pleasant tingling that accompanies the flavor. It’s definitely carbonated in texture (if carbonated can even be described as texture) and is enjoyable. Crunching down on the candy is like crunching on any other hard candy except with a bit more fizz and a quicker dissolve of the candy.
Score: A+

Flavor

Cider rocks. I love apple cider, but I can’t really say that the cider (sans apple) variety of this candy actually tastes like apple cider. “Cider”, without the apple, tastes more like “Sprite”, which is what the beverage the candy is based off is supposed to taste like.

If the candy was to taste like the beverage; mission accomplished. However, if “cider” was supposed to taste like apple cider; fail. “Cider” is still an excellent flavor, as it’s lively, bright and all together refreshing. But, no dice on the apple cider flavor.
Score: A

The cider flavor with the apple on the packaging gets close to tasting like apple cider, but not close enough for me. This cider’s flavor is a light apple, which doesn’t equate with cider. Cider has a deeper and duskier apple flavor. This flavor is more like sparkling apple juice instead of apple cider. Good flavor, but it’s not apple cider.
Score: A-

The peach is another bright flavor and has a crisp taste. It’s very full and reminds me of a warm summer breeze. Americans don’t have any famous, mainstream peach flavored soda to equate the flavor to, but this candy is very tasty and light.
Score: A+

“Grape” is like sipping grape soda. It has that fake grape soda tang which harkens back to my youth, when we kids would pop open a can of Vess grape soda while on picnics. Grape is intense and it really tastes just like grape soda. Mmmm, fake grape…
Score: A

The Verdict

Mitsuya Cider is the tastiest hard candy I’ve tried in a long time. The flavors are all delicious and the fizziness makes them a joy to eat. I highly recommend this candy. At $2.99, you get all the flavor of four tasty sodas without all the sugar.