Pione
ピオーネ
A deep purple-black large-berry grape developed in Japan as an offspring of Kyoho. Named and registered in 1973, Pione is larger than Kyoho with firmer flesh, and is widely marketed as seedless "New Pione" (ニューピオーネ), with Okayama Prefecture as its leading production hub.
About Pione
Pione is a large-berry Japanese grape created in 1957 by Shizuoka-based independent breeder Hideo Ikawa through a cross of Kyoho and Cannon Hall Muscat. Named and registered in 1973 — the name derives from the Italian pioniere (pioneer) — it spread nationwide as Kyoho's offspring variety. At 15–20 g per berry it is even larger than Kyoho, balancing deep purple-black skin, firm flesh, and a satisfying burst of juice. In the market it is predominantly sold as gibberellin-treated seedless "New Pione," with Okayama Prefecture holding roughly 45% of national cultivated acreage.
Taste & Texture
Pione berries weigh 15–20 g each, making them even larger than Kyoho, with deep purple-black skin. Brix measures 16–21°, equaling or slightly exceeding Kyoho's sweetness. The flesh is firmer than Kyoho's — juicy yet with pleasant bite — and berries cling well to the stem, giving it good shelf life. The skin is thick and somewhat astringent, so it is normally peeled before eating, though some specimens peel thinly. The majority of commercially sold Pione is gibberellin-treated seedless fruit (New Pione); seeded fruit is also available alongside it.
Flavor profile
- Sweetness: strong (Brix 16–21°)
- Acidity: mild to moderate
- Aroma: refined sweet fragrance (subtle Muscat-like elegance)
- Texture: juicy with firm flesh
Season
PEAK
Aug – Sep
Top Production Areas
Variety Comparison
vs. Kyoho
Pione is a cross of Kyoho and Cannon Hall Muscat. At 15–20 g per berry it is larger than Kyoho's 10–15 g, with equal or slightly higher Brix, firmer flesh, and better shelf life. In the market it is mostly sold as gibberellin-treated seedless New Pione, with Okayama Prefecture holding the dominant market share.
vs. Shine Muscat
The two differ sharply in skin color (purple-black vs. yellow-green), skin edibility (peel before eating vs. eat skin-on), aroma (refined sweet fragrance vs. classic Muscat), and texture (juicy with firm flesh vs. crisp). Pione delivers the rich, intense sweetness of the Kyoho lineage; Shine Muscat is prized for its fragrance and refreshing lightness.
Breeding History
Pione was crossed in 1957 (Showa 32) by Hideo Ikawa, an independent breeder in Shizuoka Prefecture. The intended parents were Kyoho as the maternal variety and Cannon Hall Muscat — a large-berry European cultivar that is a tetraploid bud sport of Muscat of Alexandria — as the paternal variety, with the goal of adding refined Muscat-like aroma and texture to Kyoho's strengths. Note that later DNA research by the Faculty of Agriculture at Kyushu University raised academic questions about the conventional paternal assignment to Cannon Hall Muscat, suggesting the possibility of self-fertilization or natural crossing with another variety. This article follows the conventional account based on the breeder's stated crossing intent while acknowledging the scholarly dissent. After selection and evaluation, the variety was named and registered under Japan's seed-and-seedling nomenclature system in 1973 (Showa 48) as "Pione." The name derives from the Italian pioniere (pioneer), symbolizing the breeder's intent to chart new culinary value while continuing Kyoho's lineage. The registration predates the modern PVP (plant variety protection) regime, so specific PVP registration numbers and the current status of breeder's rights require verification against primary sources. Okayama Prefecture actively introduced Pione cultivation from the late 1970s onward and, combining it with gibberellin-based seedless treatment, became the national center of "New Pione" shipments.
- Breeder
- Hideo Ikawa (private breeder, Shizuoka)
- Parentage
- Kyoho × Cannon Hall Muscat (traditional theory)
- Registered
- 1973
How to Choose
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Choose bunches where berries are densely and evenly packed, with a firm green stem.
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A uniform coat of white bloom (natural waxy powder) on the berry surface is a freshness indicator.
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Deep, even purple-black coloring across all berries signals full ripeness.
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Uniform berry size within the bunch reflects careful cultivation.
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Berries should be firmly attached to the stem — a gentle shake should not dislodge them.
How to Store
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Wrap loosely in paper towel or newspaper, place in a plastic bag, and refrigerate in the vegetable drawer.
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Wash only immediately before eating.
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Stored as a whole bunch, Pione keeps for 3–5 days — slightly longer than Kyoho.
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For extended storage, snip individual berries off with scissors leaving a small stub of stem, place in an airtight container, and store in the vegetable drawer for up to about one week.
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To freeze, cut berries off the bunch, place in a freezer bag, and enjoy half-thawed as a sorbet-style treat.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Pione and New Pione?
New Pione is not a separate cultivar — it is the trade name for Pione fruit that has been treated with gibberellin to make it seedless. The gibberellin berry-enlargement effect also tends to produce slightly larger berries than untreated Pione. Supermarkets sometimes stock both seeded "Pione" and seedless "New Pione" side by side.
When is Pione in season?
Greenhouse-grown early-harvest Pione appears from around June. Peak season for field-grown fruit runs from late August to late September, with availability continuing through October.
Which is sweeter, Pione or Kyoho?
Pione's Brix range of 16–21° tends to be slightly higher than Kyoho's 18–20°. That said, Kyoho wins on juiciness while Pione wins on flesh firmness, so the perceived sweetness depends on personal preference and individual fruit.
Can you eat Pione skin-on?
The skin is thick and somewhat astringent, so Pione is normally peeled before eating. If you prefer eating grapes skin-on, Shine Muscat or similar thin-skinned varieties are a better choice.
What are the main production areas for Pione?
Okayama Prefecture is the largest domestic producer, with roughly 769 ha of cultivated acreage and about 45% of national share. Yamanashi Prefecture follows at around 339 ha, with Hiroshima Prefecture at around 121 ha. Okayama's New Pione is the backbone of nationwide shipments.