巨峰(きょほう)

きょほう
noun
Kyoho grape (large dark purple Japanese grape variety)
foodnature
1. Kyoho grape; large dark-purple Japanese grape variety
A premium variety of grape with very large, deep purple berries and a sweet, slightly tart flavor. One of the most popular and recognizable grape varieties in Japan.
巨峰(きょほう)は甘(あま)くておいしい。
Kyoho grapes are sweet and delicious.
巨峰(きょほう)を一房(ひとふさ)買(か)った。
I bought a bunch of Kyoho grapes.
秋(あき)になると山梨県(やまなしけん)の農園(のうえん)で巨峰(きょほう)狩(が)りが楽(たの)しめる。
In autumn you can enjoy Kyoho-grape picking at orchards in Yamanashi Prefecture.

Literally 'giant peak' — 巨(きょ) (giant) + 峰(ほう) (peak). The variety was developed in Japan in the 1940s and named after the silhouette of 富士山(ふじさん) visible from the breeding station.

Cultural note

Kyoho is treated as a premium gift fruit in Japan. The main production areas are 山梨(やまなし), 長野(ながの), and 岡山(おかやま). The berries are unusually large and are typically eaten by peeling the skin first.

Common collocations

  • 巨峰(きょほう)狩(が)り: Kyoho-grape picking (orchard activity)
  • 巨峰(きょほう)ジュース: Kyoho grape juice
  • 種(たね)なし巨峰(きょほう): seedless Kyoho

Similar words

  • ピオーネ: Pione — another large dark grape, often confused with Kyoho
  • マスカット: Muscat — green-skinned aromatic variety
  • シャインマスカット: Shine Muscat — premium green seedless variety, currently very popular