Enjoy Aomori's famous "Takekimi" corn! We introduce its seasonality, delicious ways to eat it, and shops where you can enjoy soft-serve ice cream made with it

Aomori's proud specialty, "corn, captivates many people with its sweetness and rich flavor.

This article will provide information to help you fully enjoy the charm of Takekimi corn, including ways to enjoy it even more, and recommendations for shops that offer soft serve ice cream and shakes that make the most of this seasonal delicacy

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Who is Takekimi?

In the Aomori dialect, "kimi" means corn, and corn harvested in the Take area at the foot of Mount Iwaki is called "Takekimi." From here, we will explain in detail the characteristics of Takekimi and the secret to its sweetness.

Takekimi is a highland vegetable grown in Iwaki, Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture

Dakekimi is a brand of corn cultivated in the Dake area (Dake Plateau) at the foot of Mt. Iwaki in Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture

In Aomori Prefecture, this type of corn, called "Takekimi," is so beloved that it's practically synonymous with summer in Tsugaru

It has been featured on television many times, and I think it has now become famous throughout the country. Along Prefectural Road No. 3, which runs through Mt. Iwaki, there are many direct sales outlets for Takekimi corn, and it has become known as "Takekimi Road," a summer tradition

The shop sells freshly picked Takekimi that morning, as well as boiled and grilled ones. They also ship nationwide, so it's always bustling with people returning home and tourists

The difference in temperature between day and night is the secret to its sweetness

The defining characteristic of Takekimi corn is its astonishing sweetness. The secret to Takekimi's sweetness lies largely in the significant temperature difference between day and night

During the day, corn plants receive plenty of sunlight and perform photosynthesis, accumulating sugars. However, at night, the temperature drops sharply, making it difficult for them to consume the sugars, resulting in exceptionally sweet corn

This unique sweetness is arguably the greatest appeal of Takekimi corn

Takekimi corn is in season from August to September

The harvest season for Takekimi corn is typically from early August to mid-September.

While it varies depending on the variety, weather, and growing conditions, when the season arrives, freshly harvested Takekimi corn will be available at morning markets and direct sales outlets along "Takekimi Road."

Because the harvesting period is short, many people visit the production area during this time in search of its intense sweetness

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How to eat Takekimi deliciously

From here on, we will introduce various cooking methods to bring out the best in Dakekimi. From simple boiling methods to locally loved recipes, we will introduce you to the best way to enjoy Dakekimi

Simply boil

The simplest way to enjoy Dakekimi is to boil them. By quickly boiling fresh Dakekimi, the sweetness is further enhanced. The best time to boil them is about 3 to 5 minutes in boiling water. When you bite into them freshly boiled, the sweetness will fill your mouth. However, they contain a lot of water, so be careful not to get burned

Incidentally, in the Take district, where Take corn is produced, boiling is recommended over grilling. This is because while grilling enhances the aroma, it can also cause the original flavor and sweetness of Take corn to be lost. Perhaps for this reason, although almost all shops on "Take Corn Road" serve boiled corn, there are not many shops that serve grilled corn

Easily heated in a microwave

When you're busy, you can easily enjoy Takekimi corn using a microwave

Wrap each skewer in plastic wrap, leaving a few thin layers of skin intact, and heat in a 600W microwave for 4-5 minutes. Heating time may vary depending on the microwave model and size, so adjust as needed while monitoring the process

Be careful when heating corn after peeling it, as it tends to dry out easily. I once peeled all the husks and heated it in the microwave without knowing any better, and the kernels became wrinkled and lost their original juiciness, so please be careful

Takikomi gohan (rice cooked with ingredients)

Rice cooked with Takekimi corn is a popular local recipe. Remove the corn kernels from the cob and cook them together with the rice. At this time, be sure to add the cob as well. Adding the cob brings out sweetness and umami, so don't throw it away, put it in the rice cooker

The seasoning is simply salt and sake! It's delicious as is, but feel free to add pepper, soy sauce, or butter to your liking. If you have any leftovers, make them into rice balls, brush with a little soy sauce, and lightly grill them to make exquisite grilled rice balls. The sweetness of the corn and the aroma of the soy sauce are a perfect match and will whet your appetite

Tempura

Takekimi tempura is a local staple. It is especially popular as a standard menu item at izakayas in Hirosaki City and at food stalls during the Cherry Blossom Festival. Everyone, from children to adults, loves this tempura, which consists of sweet corn wrapped in a crispy batter. Sprinkling a little salt on it brings out the sweetness even more

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Introducing restaurants where you can enjoy Takekimi Shake and soft serve ice cream

We will introduce you to shops where you can enjoy shakes and soft serve ice cream made with Takekimi

Noichigo

Noichigo, a direct-from- the-farm shop located in Iwaki, Hirosaki City , is a popular store that offers shakes and soft serve ice cream that make the most of the sweetness of the Takekimi corn. In addition to locally grown vegetables from Iwaki, they also sell homemade pickles, wild vegetables, mushrooms, and apple juice made by local producers.

At Noichigo, you can enjoy rich shakes and soft serve ice cream made with plenty of Takekimi. Some people may be hesitant to try corn desserts, but the flavor is similar to corn soup, and the rich sweetness is addictive, as if you were eating whole Takekimi! It's a flavor that can only be achieved with Takekimi, which has a high sugar content

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There are other stores that offer it, but it's seasonal

There are other shops around Hirosaki where you can enjoy Takekimi Shake and soft serve ice cream, but they are all seasonally limited. Also, since they are sold in limited quantities, some shops will close once they run out..

At Noichisato, you can enjoy the popular "Takekimi Soft Serve Ice Cream," which makes the most of the flavor of Takekimi corn. Please note that product details and availability may change, so please check the official website or the store before visiting

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summary

Takekimi is a sweet and juicy corn grown in the rich natural environment of Aomori. Be sure to visit a shop where you can learn delicious ways to eat it and enjoy soft serve ice cream and shakes made with Takekimi, and enjoy the seasonal flavors

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