Striving for the Number 1 Edamame in Japan
Summer is always associated with beer, and beer is associated with ”edamame”. Although there are preferences, this is the image many Japanese have of summer. Akita actually produces and ships the most ”edamame” in Japan. Although it varies by time of year, you will see Akita ”edamame” lining the shelves during August to October. Akita has a slogan ”Strive for Number 1 Edamame in Japan!”. A goal they strive for as they promote ”edamame” around the country. We spoke with Yoshifumi Sasaki of the JA Akita Obako Edamame department.
Popular Brands ”Hiden” and ”Akita Kaori Goyo”
We visited at the end of October, when the ”edamame” season was about to end. This is the time of season when the brand ”Hiden” is harvested, but this was also drawing to an end as well.
”Hiden” is rather large in size, making it quite filling. It is sweet and strong in taste, gaining in popularity. There is another brand, ”Akita Kaori Goyo” though we were not able to see it during our visit.
”Akita Kaori Goyo” was developed in Akita. It is a reformed version of a long known brand ”Goyo Mame”. The characteristic of this new brand is its strong fragrance which conveys the sweetness of the beans. Sasaki also explained that fragrance is a very important feature of ”edamame”.
Edamame – Once you start, you can’t stop
There are actually dozens of varieties of ”edamame” throughout the various seasons. Sasaki notes that the important features of a good ”edamame” are ”shape” and ”fragrance”. The aforementioned ”Hiden” has a gorgeous pod giving it a ”magnificent” look.
”Akita Kaori Goyo” has a strong fragrance that is noticed immediately when served. Obviously the fragrance will spread in your mouth, accentuating the flavor when eaten.
Having said this, Sasaki added, ”But what makes ”edamame” so appealing is that it can be eaten endlessly.”
He may be right. Local farmers eat a large bowl of edamame everyday. It is also great as an ingredient as it matches well with other ingredients.
And as I look across the table, I see Nakata enjoying the edamame we had been served, one after another…
