Harvesting of the high-class kankitsu "Setoka", which is also called "Kankitsu no Otoro" because of its rich aroma and taste, has begun in Tobe Town, Ehime Prefecture.
Ehime Prefecture is the largest producer of "Setoka" in Japan, accounting for more than half of the national production. Of these, about 1000 farmers grow in Matsuyama City and Tobe Town within the jurisdiction of JA Ehime Chuo. Harvesting begins in mid-January.
In order to maintain stable quality, JA investigates sugar content and acidity and decides the shipping time, and at the agricultural house of Mr. Yasushi Shiragata, a farmer in Tobe Town, the dark orange color of Setoka is fruitful. I did.
Setoka was cultivated one by one wrapped in a black cloth so that it would not be damaged by branches, and Mr. Shiragata picked it up one by one and carefully harvested it with scissors.
According to JA, there was a lot of rain in the beginning of summer and I was worried about the quality, but since the weather has recovered after that, the sugar content is higher than normal and the taste is rich.
Mr. Shiragata said, "This is a good growth and it looks good. I want many people to enjoy the juicy taste."
Setoka harvest continues until mid-March and is shipped nationwide, including Tokyo and Osaka.