Do you know the fact that, "Fuji apple is not from Mt. Fuji!" "There is a prefecture where mikan juice comes out from the tap in Japan"? And yes, although apples, strawberries, mandarin oranges are all made in Japan, but do you know which prefecture produces the most of it? This time, we will deliver a series of trivia to you.
Fuji Apple Is Not from Mt. Fuji!
Aomori Prefecture ranks first in apple production and produces about 50 varieties of apples. The most famous brand is "Fuji" apple. About half of Japan's apple production is this "Fuji". It is said that the name “Fuji” is named after (1) "Fujisaki Town" in Aomori Prefecture where this apple was invented and (2) the " famous mountain in Japan," "Fujisan".
Oh, by the way, "Fuji" apples also produced in the United States. So, if you intent to try a Japanese apples, please double check the production area before putting it into your shopping cart.
Researchers Who Continue to Study Strawberry in the Strawberry Kingdom, Tochigi Prefecture
Tochigi Prefecture is Japan's largest producer of strawberries in Japan. There is only one “strawberry specialized research institute" in Japan, called the "Strawberry Research Center Tochigi Prefectural Agriculture Experiment Station". Here, research on technique to improve quality, and development of new strawberries are being conducted. Japanese famous strawberry brands "Tochiotome(とちおとめ)" and "Skyberry(スカイベリー)" were born here in Tochigi.
More than 90% of Tochigi's strawberries production is "Tochiotome". The dad of "Tochiotome" is "Takanomine(栃の峰)" and the mom is "Kurume No. 49 (久留米４９号)". Tochiotome has inherited the “delicious taste” from dad and the “big and nice shape” element from mom. On the other hand, a brand called "Tochihime(とちひめ)" which is suitable for strawberry picking, was born at the same time. It is the opposite of "Tochiotome", the dad is "Kurume No. 49", and the mom is " Takanomine". It is interesting that new breeds with different characteristics are born just by interchange the dad and mom. These kinds of developments show hints about how delicate Japanese handle fruits.
Is the Mandarin Orange Juice Coming out from the Tap?
Ehime, the prefecture with the highest production of citrus fruits in Japan, has a wide range of interesting things related to mandarin oranges. There are places where mandarin orange juice comes out from the tap, and there are also lots of jelly and food related to mandarin orange.
There is also an Ehime-original "Beni-madonna(紅まどんな)" (product name), which is a blend of mandarin orange and orange. As you might imagine, it combines the freshness of orange with the rich taste from the mandarin oranges. And the biggest feature of it is the "bouncing jelly-like texture".
Only "Ehime Goto No. 28" (product name) that pass the examination for sugar content, appearance, color, shape, etc. using optical sensors can be delivered under this brand "Beni-madonna”. Else, "Beni-madonna” can not be used to label the fruit. You have to try it, if you are visiting Ehime Prefecture one day.
Knowing the Brand “Koshu (甲州)” and “Kyoho (巨峰)” Makes You an Expert About Japan
In Yamanashi Prefecture, you can find a lot of different kinds of grapes. One of the most interesting is the Koshu breed, which is said to have been grown here for over 800 years. Even now, wine using this kind of grape is a local specialty of Yamanashi Prefecture.
The most famous grape is probably "Kyoho" grown in Japan. In Japan it is even called "the king of grapes". Yamanashi Prefecture has the largest production of "Kyoho" in Japan.
Furthermore, in Japan, in recent years, the breed Shine Muscat (シャインマスカット) has gradually become popular. "Shine Muscat" has a bright yellow-green color compared to "Kyoho" has black-purple color that is close to black. In Yamanashi Prefecture, production of "Kyoho" is decreasing and production of "Shine Muscat" is rapidly increasing.
EXTRA1: Is This Noren? Nope, It Is the Dried Persimmon
Do you know "dried persimmon"? Yes, it is a kind of dried fruit made by using persimmon. Then, do you know Japan's "Noren (暖簾)"? It is "traditional Japanese fabric dividers” hung between rooms or near the entrance of a building.
The Noren in the above picture is called " dried persimmon noren". In fact, it is not created for the purpose of Noren, but it is the scene during the process of making "dried persimmon". It is a scene that is not often seen in urban areas in Japan, but it is hanging like this in a well-ventilated area in places producing the dried persimmon.
EXTRA 2: Nagaimo (Chinese Yam) That Sometimes Appears in Japanese Cuisine
Do you like Nagaimo? Nagaimo is a ingredient that you can enjoy a fresh, crisp texture when eaten raw, or enjoy a fluffy texture when it is baked. In fact, this Nagaimo is one of the major vegetables exported from Japan. Most of Japan's nagaimo is produced in Aomori Prefecture and Hokkaido.
It is exciting just by reading about those fruits, right? You have the desire to eat those local fruits, if you can visit that prefecture one day, right? Even if you do not manage to visit Japan, you can still get fruits from Japan via local stores in Malaysia or using online store.
*Article supervised and cooperated by Tokyo Seika Co., Ltd.
Sponsored by Japan Fruit and Vegetables Export Promotion Council
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