Seeking the finest peaches nurtured by the people and nature of Fukushima
Fukushima Prefecture is known as one of the nation’s leading fruit kingdoms. Among the fruits of Fukushima Prefecture, peaches are probably the most representative of the prefecture. Fukushima City and Date City are famous for peach production, but this time, Hidetoshi Nakata went to Koorimachi, Date County. The town’s peaches have been selected as a gift to the Imperial Household for 25 consecutive years.
Peach fields stretch along the Abukuma River. At the farm of Mr. Masahiro Minami, located in the corner commonly called “Peach Road,” peaches such as “Tamaki” and “Hikawa Hakuho,” which bear fruit early in June and early July, were ready for harvesting.
Hidetoshi Nakata, who has visited Fukushima many times, was surprised to learn that Fukushima ranks second in Japan in terms of peach harvest and shipment (according to the statistics released on January 23, 2008 by the Statistics Department, Minister’s Secretariat, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries).
Why has peach cultivation flourished so much?”
After World War II, as sericulture declined, many farmers switched to fruit cultivation. Mr. Minami explains the historical background of peach cultivation, saying that the rich soil and basin climate of the Abukuma River basin were particularly suited to peach cultivation.
My family has been growing peaches since my grandfather’s generation, which is now 60 years ago.
Minami-san’s farm grows about 500 peach trees of 16 varieties, and a variety of peaches are harvested from the end of June to September, but the main variety is “AKATSUKI,” a brand name representing Fukushima.
The origin of the name “Akatsuki,” a brand-name peach, comes from a shrine
The “Akatsuki” variety, named after the “Shinobu Sanzan Akatsuki Mairi” festival held at the Shinobuyama Haguro Shrine in Fukushima City, was registered as a variety in 1979, and is usually harvested from early to mid-August (depending on the weather. It is a peach that is usually harvested from early to mid-August (this year, it is expected to be from the end of July to early August). Because it was a small-bodied variety, it was not widely grown throughout Japan. The peaches were not widely grown in Japan because they were small in size, but growers in Fukushima took notice of their flavor and devised a cultivation method to increase the size of the fruit, resulting in the development of a superb brand peach with dense, sweet flesh.
From the growers’ point of view, it is also an easy peach to cultivate. The fruit is plump and abundant and looks good, making it a popular variety for gift-giving,” says Mr. Minami.
Peaches produced in Kuori have been selected as imperial gifts for 25 consecutive years. Only “Akatsuki” peaches, which are selected for their sugar content, firmness, size, and coloring, are presented to the Imperial Household. The best peaches are gathered from each farm, and the best peaches are selected from among them.
Mr. Nakata leaned forward as he listened to the story.
How many peaches of the same grade as the Dedicated Peach are harvested at your farm?
About 300 peaches, or 2 to 3% of the harvest,” Mr. Minami said.
Mr. Minami said, “About 300 peaches, which is 2 to 3% of our harvest. Now I am enjoying growing peaches. He spoke to us in a straightforward manner about his life after the earthquake.
Recovery from the Earthquake
Due to harmful rumors about the nuclear power plant accident, sales and prices of peaches in the prefecture dropped sharply. They were so determined to make sure that people could eat their carefully grown peaches with peace of mind that they thoroughly decontaminated each and every peach tree. They continued to grow peaches silently, replanting trees weakened by the decontamination process. Now, seven years after the earthquake, sales prices have recovered to the previous level. Exports to Asia and other overseas markets have also increased, which has been encouraging, according to Minami. We are also receiving positive feedback on our efforts to ensure food safety and security,” says Minami. Whenever we receive comments about how delicious our products are, we feel as if we have been rewarded.
Nakata-san left the farm with a smile on his face as he told Minami-san with a shy smile that he was looking forward to eating “AKATSUKI”.
