Dining Dojo Drinks: Toyama Black Cider

     Recently, I went to Toyama Prefecture, Japan, during Golden Week for a short vacation.  My wife and I took a bus trip to the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route.  During one of the scheduled breaks that we had, we went to a convenient store to pick up lunch and something to drink.  When I was in the store, I noticed this drink called Toyama Black Cider.  Toyama is famous for black ramen that is made with black soy sauce. 

      You maybe saying to yourself that soy sauce is already black, which is true.  However, black soy sauce (黒醤油) is darker in color and heavier in taste.  If you would taste regular soy sauce and black soy sauce, you would be able to tell the difference between both of them right away.

     Also for those of you who are unfamiliar with Japanese soft drinks, cider is a popular soft drink that is more akin to Sprite or 7UP without the lemon lime taste.  There is no alcohol in the drink what so ever. Most ciders that you buy are clear not black.  Why is this called black cider though?

      As I noted earlier that Toyama is famous for black ramen.  The black cider is marketed as a drink to go with the black ramen.  The black cider is flavored with soy sauce and sesame. 

      When smelling the drink, you will notice the soy sauce right away.  Its a pretty interesting smelling drink to say the least.  The taste of the cider is also unique.  At the front of the mouth, you will get a lot of carbonation just like with any soft drink. In the middle of the mouth, the soy sauce flavors become more prominent in the drink but nothing overbearing.  You can taste the soy sauce without any of the salt that is associated with it.  At the back of mouth, you will find the roundness of sesame seeds and soy sauces mingle with each other.  It is somewhat surprising for the first drinking it.

      Overall, would I buy this drink again, yes but only if I could find it where I live.  This drink is mostly sold in Toyama.  If you are living in or visiting Toyama. do yourself a favor and try a unique Japanese beverage.  You will not be disappointed.

Here is the link to my video review.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05UcrY_vJx8

For more information on the Toyama black cider, visit
http://www.tombow-b.jp/toyamablackcider/
(this site is in Japanese)