Rice's "Taste ranking" 54 brands are the best specialty A

Rice's “taste ranking” 54 brands are the best specialty A February 26 17:09

Last year, the results of the “Taste Ranking”, which evaluates the taste of the rice produced, were announced, and 54 brands, one third of the total, received the highest “Special A” rating.

The Japan Grain Inspection Association, which evaluates the quality and safety of agricultural products, etc., evaluates the taste and aroma of the produced rice every year on a five-point scale. Last year, the evaluation of 155 rice brands nationwide was released on the 26th, and 54 brands, about one-third of the total, were rated as the best special A.

This is one decrease from the 55 stocks in the previous year, but it is the second largest in the past since 1989 when evaluation in the current form began.

Of these, "Koshihikari" from Uonuma in Niigata Prefecture became a special A following the previous year, and also from Hokkaido, "Nanatsuboshi" and Typhoon No. 17 caused a bad harvest in Saga Prefecture. "Sagabiyori" has been a special A for 10 consecutive years.

And 7 brands such as “Ichihore” from Fukui Prefecture became Special A for the first time.

In addition, 73 brands are rated “A”, which is the next best after special A, and 127 brands, which together with “special A”, are more than 80%, are highly evaluated.

According to Kenichi Ito, Chairman of the Japan Grain Inspection Association, "There are many highly evaluated rice, and each production area may be the result of enthusiastic efforts to improve varieties and provide guidance on cultivation."

Is special A in the world of defeat?

Of the 54 stocks that received "Special A" rating, 33 of them were rated "Special A" again in the previous year, with nearly half being replaced. This suggests that production areas across the country are competing for "deliciousness" with an emphasis on breeding, etc. over taste.

Looking at the breakdown of this special A, the evaluation increased from "A", which is considered to have 18 stocks, to special A.

The two brands, "Mashigura" from Aomori Prefecture and "Hinohikari" from Kochi Prefecture, went up two stages from "A '" and became "Special A".

Furthermore, "Ichihore" from Fukui Prefecture was evaluated for the first time and selected as Special A.

In the ranking of 1989 when evaluation in the current form began, there were 13 special A brands. After that, the number of brands of Toku-A increased, and the brands have been greatly replaced in the past year because each production area has improved its varieties and improved the taste of rice.