Strawberries don’t usually end up getting compared to Tesla. (That’s the tech company, not Nikolai himself.) But then again, the Omakase Berries that Oishii grow in an indoor facility in New Jersey aren’t most strawberries. These are strawberries that come with suggested drink pairings and meticulous instructions on the best practices for eating them. They also don’t come cheap — expect to pay between $5 and $6.25 per berry.
All of which begs the question: how do these strawberries actually taste? Oishii’s website describes a mission to “change the landscape of the fruit industry and introduce a wildly new concept of what fresh fruit can be in its optimal form.” All of that is well and good, but it also helps if the fresh fruit in question is enjoyable to eat.
At The Washington Post, Hannah Selinger offered up a taste test, which included trying the Omakase Berry along with a batch of strawberries from Amagansett, New York and a package from Driscoll’s, which are widely available across the country.
Selinger noted that the Omakase Berry offered a strong scent and a sweet taste; the other options covered a wider ground. She also points out that the goals the growers have are somewhat different — Oishii’s goal is a lack of variation, while a local grower might embrace the variety from a single crop. What factors are most appealing to you might determine whether you end up paying $50 for an 8-pack, as Selinger did.
The taste test is only one of the highlights of Selinger’s article, which also does a deep dive into the many different methods by which one can grow strawberries. It’s a fascinating look into a ubiquitous fruit — but good luck getting through it without craving a batch of berries (wildly expensive or not).
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