Oishii Introduces Newest Strawberry Grown in a Vertical Farm
February 28, 2023 
Photo: Oishii
Vertical farming leader Oishii has launched the Koyo berry, the newest varietal grown by the strawberry company. The Koyo Berry will join the Omakase Berry as Oishii’s second strawberry, bringing a new flavor profile to the table. Each tray of Koyo Berries is non-GMO, pesticide free, perfectly ripe, and always in-season.
Meaning “elated” in Japanese, Koyo is a Japanese cultivar, traditionally grown just outside Tokyo during the winter months. The strawberry is marked by its refreshing sweetness, balanced acidity, fragrant aroma, and slightly firm texture. The nutrient-rich berries are grown hyper locally in Oishii’s state-of-the-art indoor vertical farms.
“When we founded Oishii, we made a promise to set a new standard for how we enjoy produce. The Omakase Berry was an important first step in that journey, and today, we are so proud to introduce The Koyo Berry – which builds on our brand’s legacy for delivering clean, fresh strawberries that are unlike anything you’ve ever tasted before,” says Hiroki Koga, CEO and co-founder of Oishii.
Koyo is now available via FreshDirect in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. It will expand to other markets, including Los Angeles, later this year.
“Known for our valued vendor partnerships and quality fresh food, we’re excited to offer these delicious Koyo berries exclusively to our customers – whether they prefer the balanced brightness of The Koyo Berry or the delicate sweetness of The Omakase Berry,” says Mary Mitchell, Category Merchant, Produce at FreshDirect. “Each bite of The Koyo Berry delivers a refreshing zing and sweet finish which elevates the timeless strawberry flavor.”
Oishii introduced its first strawberry – The Omakase Berry – in 2018. The company currently operates three indoor vertical farms – two outside of Manhattan and one in Los Angeles. The brand recently opened its flagship Mugen Farm, a 74,000 square foot facility that introduced pioneering technology to make Oishii’s precision growing process even more efficient. Each harvest in the new farm relies on advanced robotics combined with traditional Japanese farming methods, using 60% less energy and 40% less water than first generation farms.
Oishii harmoniously marries nature, technology, and farming techniques perfected for decades in Japan to grow its prized fruit, which is pollinated naturally with bees. The vertical farming innovator is also currently in development on new types of flowering produce.
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