Victory!

I've managed to solve my thorniest omiyage quandary. I needed to find something uniquely Pacific Northwest to place out in the teacher's room, something edible and nicely packaged. My first thought was HAZELNUTS, but those come in very non-omiyage containers. Then, yesterday, my parents asked me what I would be bringing and I responded, "I don't know...maybe Aplets and Cotlets?"



It turns out this was inspired. The website has (lightweight!) 48-piece assortments of fruit and nut candies made from Northwest fruits. I settled on a cherry package because both Oregon and Washington (the two places I grew up) are famous for their cherries...and also because they will be in season in Japan when I get there, so it will be perfect. Added plus: fancy container. There's one worry, gone.

The place where these are made, Liberty Orchards, is part of a great childhood memory for me as well. When I was little, I used to swim competitively and go to swim meets all across Washington state. There was one in Wenatchee in the summertime and my family decided to make a vacation of it. I don't remember the meet, but I do remember swimming in Lake Chelan on a cloudless day. We went to the orchards in the area too, where all those tasty Washington apples come from, and got a full tour. The orchards were gorgeous, and we had tours of the Tree Top and Liberty facilities--complete with apple tastings. The Aplet and Cotlet candies were the highlight, though. The closest thing to them is Turkish Delight, I suppose, but they taste more like fruit than candy. So delicious.

So, yes. Kickass omiyage accomplished.