Introducing the Exclusive Quilt Pink Stollen: A Seasonal Delight Featuring Rare Apples

Quilt Pink Stollen: A Unique Seasonal Treat

The food industry has recently been graced with an innovative product: the Quilt Pink Stollen, made with the extraordinary Quilt Pink apple. This delicacy is the first of the seasonal fruit candy project called Shunsai Smitten, which reinterprets Japan's traditional fruits. The Quilt Pink apple, cultivated by Naoya Miyashita of Miyashita Orchard, is a rare breed that was officially registered in September 2024. Its striking pink flesh gleams when cut, boasting a crisp texture, strong acidity, and a high sugar content that results in a rich flavor.

Miyashita, moved by the taste of this mystical apple, initiated its cultivation and invested significant research into bringing this limited edition treasure to life. Unlike typical apples, this variety is picked more than two weeks after it has ripened on the tree, using techniques passed down for over a century.

The Mastermind Behind the Creation: Taichi Kato

The Quilt Pink Stollen is crafted under the keen eye of Taichi Kato, owner of the well-known bakery JOURS in Nishitokyo. Kato's philosophy intertwines tradition with innovation, and he was eager to create a Stollen that breaks from conventional norms, focusing solely on the unique Quilt Pink apple.

This collaboration signifies more than just two craftspeople coming together; it represents a bond between fruit farmers and bakers. As many Stollen recipes typically include a mix of various fruits and nuts, the Quilt Pink Stollen features only the sought-after Quilt Pink apples. Kato meticulously designed the recipe to highlight the apple’s natural attributes.

After drying the perfectly ripened Quilt Pink apples, Kato bathed them in a house-made syrup that includes French Calvados and Nagano Prefecture matured cider made with apple blossom yeast. Additionally, a spiced syrup infused with seven kinds of spices adds a burst of cinnamon flavor to the dough. This mixture is then combined with almond marzipan and filled generously with Quilt Pink apples before baking. The final touch involves soaking the Stollen in butter and coating it with an extraordinary apple-derived pink powdered sugar, unlike anything available on the market.

The Innovative Apple Powder

The pink powdered sugar used on the Quilt Pink Stollen is crafted entirely from the Quilt Pink apple’s flesh and skin, featuring anthocyanins, the unique compounds that give the fruit its gorgeous hue. Kato developed this innovative sugar to emphasize the apple’s distinctive color and flavor through rigorous testing, ensuring every batch reflects the beauty and essence of Quilt Pink.

The result is a Stollen that not only dazzles visually but also delivers a harmonious flavor explosion that showcases the Quilt Pink apple’s complexity— a delightful provision for both the eyes and the palate.

Limited Edition Release Details

This exclusive Quilt Pink Stollen is limited to just 100 pieces and is priced at ¥5,500 (tax included). Reservation opens on December 13 and closes on December 19. Customers can place their orders through the official website or pick up at specific locations, including the JOURS station front store in Nishitokyo or TAIKO STORE TOYONO in Nagano.