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In Japan, many people purchase rice based on the brand and place of origin, and various new varieties of rice debut every year, such as "Kuma-san no Kagayaki" from Kumamoto Prefecture and "Hoshizora Mai" from Tottori Prefecture in 2021
This article provides detailed information about Sakihokore, a rice variety produced in Akita Prefecture that will debut in the fall of 2022
Sakihokore is a new variety of Akita rice that was developed with the utmost attention to taste, based on the concept of "a variety with an extremely good taste that surpasses Koshihikari."
It was created by crossbreeding Chubu 132, which was developed in Aichi Prefecture and is resistant to blast disease and has good eating quality, with Akita 97 (Tsubuzoroi), a late-maturing variety born in Akita Prefecture that has large grains and good eating quality
The top priority in the development was good taste, and Sakihokore was created with the aim of surpassing Koshihikari, a rice variety popular among Japanese people, while also aiming for yield and disease resistance that is better than Akitakomachi
Taste analysis of 800 samples was repeated every year for five years at the Akita Prefectural Agricultural Experiment Station, and with the help of advice from external specialist institutions and rice experts, the cross between Chubu No. 132 and Akita No. 97 was selected as a strain that could achieve a consistently high level of taste
Due to this development history, Sakihokore is expected to be a variety that will lead the next generation of Akita rice
What are the characteristics of Sakihokore, which was born in this way?
Let's look at it from the perspective of four elements: taste, cultivation characteristics, production system, and naming and design
Taste
The taste of Sakihokore is neither hard nor soft, and it has a very chewy texture that makes it perfect for dinner
Sakihokore has a distinct whiteness and luster, a grainy texture, and an elegant fragrance with a deep sweetness that spreads the more you chew it
Cultivation characteristics
Sakihokore is a late-maturing variety that is 6 days later in heading and 9 days later in maturity than Akitakomachi
The yield is comparable to that of Akitakomachi, but it is resistant to rice blast disease and suffers little quality loss from high or low temperatures
Production System
To ensure a stable supply of high quality products, Sakihokore has the following production system
Limiting planting to recommended areas
Setting quality and shipping standards
Production is handled by a production group made up of producers who meet certain requirements and collection agents who have a system for checking quality and shipping standards
Cultivation with half the amount of pesticides used
Naming and design
When naming the facility, a public contest was held, with 258,930 applications received from both within Japan and overseas. After a selection process by experts, the name "Sakihokore" was finally decided upon after a final selection by the Governor of Akita Prefecture
A name announcement event was held in Tokyo on November 17, 2020, and the name "Sakihokore" was announced by actress Nozomi Sasaki
In addition, the package design by Hara Kenya was announced on July 8, 2021
The calligraphy, which stands out against the white background, has been carefully selected, and the design, which embodies all of the values, is simple yet compelling
What if you want to be the first to purchase Sakihokore?
After learning about the history behind this, I'm sure there are many people who will be eager to buy and try Sakihokore as soon as possible
The Akita Rice Brand Promotion Office of the Akita Prefecture Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Department, Rice Hometown Akita website has a page called "Taste Sakihokore," which regularly updates information on advance retailers
As of the update on March 4, 2022, there are still only four stores in Akita Prefecture and two stores outside the prefecture, but if you would like to try it, please contact a retailer
I learned that Sakihokore is a rice produced in Akita Prefecture that will debut in the fall of 2022 and was developed with the aim of achieving a better taste than Koshihikari
This is Sakihime. I'm a web writer born in Akita who loves Japanese sake, so I 'm going to have fun introducing Akita's delicious sake, snacks that Akita residents secretly enjoy, and sightseeing spots where you can enjoy beautiful scenery. my hometown of Akita and visit “Ozatte Tanse”
