三ツ矢 とろけるもも
Mitsuya Melted Peach

Package Style: PET bottle, 500 ml
Price:  ¥100 to 140

• Taste:  4/5
• Smell:  4/5
• Texture: 3/5
• Value: 2/5

In Japanese folklore, peaches are considered sacred fruits with protective powers against evil spirits. The most famous example is the beloved folktale of Momotarō (桃太郎), or “Peach Boy,” where a childless elderly couple discovers a baby inside a giant peach floating down a river. This story has been told for centuries and remains one of Japan’s most cherished legends, symbolizing courage, justice, and the triumph of good over evil.

Peaches are also associated with longevity and immortality in Japanese culture, influenced by Chinese Taoist beliefs. The fruit is believed to ward off demons and bring good fortune, which is why peach blossoms and imagery appear in protective charms and religious contexts.

Mitsuya was a famous beverage producer here in Japan, brewing cider since 1884. Today it’s a brand name owned and made by Asahi Soft Drinks. They have all sorts of flavors in addition to cider, but all drinks regardless of flavor are carbonated.

Each season the Mitsuya brand puts out the special flavor, this winter its Melted Peach. Not sure what “melted” means in this context, but I imagine it has to do with the fact there are bits of peach pulp in the soda.

Both the smell and flavor is like a peach on steroids, but without being sugary. Honestly, I find that peachiness better than a real peach, only because I’ve chosen too many bad peaches. 

The texture of the peach pulp is subtle and overpowered by the carbonation. Like most Mitsuya drinks, the CO2 is on overdrive such that I suggest that you slowly sip and let the bubbles fizz away in the mouth. Drinking it too fast would just waste the flavors in addition to giving you excessive burps.

Overall, it’s a fun and refreshing fizzy drink that kind of reminds me of a Bellini minus the Champaign.

Mitsuya Melted Peach Ingredients: Sugars (fructose-glucose liquid sugar (domestic production), sugar), thigh juice / carbonic acid, acidulants, flavors, vitamin C, thickener (xanthan)

Currently, you can buy Mitsuya Melted Peach on Amazon.co.jp