Harvesting bamboo shoots, a taste of spring, has begun in the Yamashiro area in southern Kyoto Prefecture.
The Yamashiro area in southern Kyoto Prefecture has long been a thriving producer of bamboo shoots, and shipments usually begin around this time of year.
Harvesting has already begun in the bamboo forest owned by Fumio Kimura in Ide Town, and from early in the morning on the 25th he was digging up bamboo shoots from the soil one after another with a metal rod.
Harvested bamboo shoots are white in color because they are dug up before the tips emerge from the ground, and are called ``shiroko,'' which are characterized by their softness and sweetness.
This year's growth has been delayed due to a series of cold days in February, but the harvest seems promising, and Mr. Kimura said, ``We have spent a lot of time growing them, so when we get good bamboo shoots, we are looking forward to it.'' I'm very happy when people say it's delicious.''
Bamboo shoots are harvested until May, and are shipped locally as well as to Tokyo as ``Kyoto bamboo shoots.''