[Akita] What is Sakihokore? Introducing new rice varieties scheduled to debut in fall 2020

In Japan, many people are particular about the brand and production area when purchasing rice, so in 2021 we will be introducing a variety of rice every year, such as "Kumasan no Kagayari" from Kumamoto Prefecture and "Hoshizora Mai" from Tottori Prefecture. A new variety is debuting.

In this article, we will explain in detail about Sakihokore, a rice produced in Akita Prefecture that will debut in the fall of 2020.

What is Sakihokore?

Sakihokore is a new Akita rice variety developed with a thorough focus on flavor, based on the concept of ``a variety with a superior flavor that surpasses Koshihikari''.

It was created by crossing Chubu No. 132, which is grown in Aichi Prefecture and is resistant to blast disease and has a good taste, with Akita No. 97 (Tsubuzoroi), a late maturing variety that is grown in Akita Prefecture and has large grains and good taste.

The top priority during development was good taste, aiming to surpass the Japanese favorite Koshihikari, while Sakihokore was created with the concept that yield and disease resistance should be better than Akitakomachi.

Chubu No. 132 and Akita were selected as strains that could consistently achieve high taste after repeating flavor analysis of 800 samples every year for five years at the Akita Prefecture Agricultural Experiment Station, and incorporating advice from outside specialized organizations and rice masters. It was a crossbreeding number 97.

Because of this development history, Sakihokore is highly anticipated as a variety that will carry the next generation of Akita rice.

Features of Sakihokore

What kind of characteristics does Sakihokore, which was born in this way, have?

Let's take a look at four elements: taste, cultivation characteristics, production system, and naming and design.

taste

The taste of Sakihokore is neither hard nor soft, and it can be said that it has a very chewy texture that is suitable for dinner.

Sakihokore has a grainy texture with outstanding whiteness and gloss, and has an elegant aroma and a deep sweetness that spreads the more you chew.

Cultivation characteristics

Sakihokore is a late variety that matures by 6 days and matures by 9 days later than Akitakomachi.

The yield is similar to that of ``Akitakomachi,'' but it is resistant to rice blast and has the characteristics of less deterioration in quality due to high or low temperatures.

Production system

In order to provide a stable supply of high quality, Sakihokore has the following production system in place.

  • Limiting planting to recommended planting areas
  • Setting quality and shipping standards
  • Production is handled by a production group organized by producers who meet certain requirements and collection companies that have a system for checking quality and shipping standards.
  • Cultivation that reduces the use of pesticides by half

naming and design

When choosing the name, an open call was held and 250,893 applications were received from both within Japan and overseas.The name was chosen by experts and the final selection was made by the Governor of Akita Prefecture, and the name was decided upon as ``Sakihokore.'' there is.

A name announcement event was held in Tokyo on November 17, 2020, and actress Nozomi Sasaki announced the name "Sakihokore."

Also, on July 8, 2021, the package design by Kenya Hara was announced.

The design, which carefully examines the calligraphy that stands out on a white background and summarizes all its values, is simple but convincing.

What if I want to purchase Sakihokore as soon as possible?

Knowing the history so far, I'm sure there are quite a few people who want to buy and try Sakihokore as soon as possible.

Akita Prefectural Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Department, Akita Rice Brand Promotion Office A page called ``Taste 'Sakihokore''' has been prepared on the homepage for Akita, the hometown of rice, and information on advance sales stores will be updated regularly.

According to the update on March 4, 2022, there are still only 4 stores in Akita Prefecture and 2 stores outside the prefecture, but if you want to try it, please contact the store.

Reference: Akita Prefectural Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Department, Akita Rice Brand Promotion Office “Taste ‘Sakihokore’” to Akita, the hometown of rice

summary

I learned that Sakihokore is a rice produced in Akita Prefecture that will debut in the fall of 2020 and was developed with the aim of having a better taste than Koshihikari.

The latest information is the official SNS accounts on Facebook , Twitter , and Instagram "Gohan no Furusato Akita" , so if you are interested, please check it out.

Articles that may be related to this article

Other articles