Kazuno-City Akita is known for its apples. The big temperature difference between night and day makes the apples firm, dark-colored and most of all delicious. Therefore apples have been made for a very long time. It started in the early Meiji period. Soon the taste became widely known, and ”Kazuno Apples” were shipped to not just the neighboring prefectures but to Tokyo as well.
Apples are still one of the leading fruit of Akita. Aomori makes up about 50% of the entire market share, but other than Aomori, Akita stands shoulder to shoulder with Nagano, Iwate, Yamagata and Fukushima.
We spoke with Hajime Sato, a farmer himself, who also makes ”peaches”.
Starting Peach-cultivation
”I was told I’d never be a match to the farmers in the original production areas. ” Sato looks back to when he first began cultivating peaches. It is an all too familiar concept that peaches do not grow at low temperatures. Approximately 20 years ago, Sato went to Fukushima and Yamanashi, locations famous for peaches, for training. Everyone told him, ”It’s not a good idea.” Yet with great determination, he was successful in creating a brand of peach that is highly appraised across the country.
The peaches Sato create are shipped as ”Kazuno Hokugenno momo” or ”Hokugen Peaches”. ”Hokugen” refers to the fact that it is the last peach of the season in Japan, regardless of how it is cultivated.
It is shipped out mainly from early to mid September, and is indeed about 2 weeks later than other regions. Recently, another brand called ”Sakura” is harvested even later in the season, and is shipped as late as October.
Peaches Sweet and Beautiful
Kazuno Hokugen Peaches are not just popular due to its late seasonality. They are truly appraised for its ”taste”. Peaches need to meet size and sugar concentration standards before it can be shipped.
”Akatsuki”, which is harvested in August, is a brand which prides its concentrated sweetness. In comparison ”Kawanakajima White Peach” harvested in September, has a great balance of sweetness and tartness, and its rich flavor attracts the attention of many.
”Generally peaches from the warm regions are sweet. The ones from the north do not become fully ripe so the fruit remains tight and tart, allowing you to enjoy both sweetness and tartness.” Sato explained.
There are more than 20 varieties of peaches cultivated within the JA Kazuno district. You would think that so many varieties would be confusing. However, Sato says, ”They all have their differences in shape, color, and especially their fleshiness.” One of the reasons peach cultivation was incorporated in this region was to provide cover for and improve apples against disease and typhoon damage. Now it is appreciated and recognized around the country simply for its delicious taste.
