Enjoy Aomori's specialty "Takekimi"! Introducing delicious ways to eat and restaurants where you can eat soft shakes

Dakekimi a specialty of Aomori , has captivated many people with its sweetness and rich flavor. In this article, we will introduce ways to enjoy Dakekimi to the fullest, as well as recommended shops that serve soft serve ice cream and shakes that make the most of this seasonal flavor. We will provide you with information that will help you fully enjoy the charms of Dakekimi.

---

Who is Takekimi?

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

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

Dakekimi is a highland vegetable grown in the Iwaki district of Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture. It is so popular in Aomori Prefecture that it is synonymous with summer in Tsugaru. It has been featured on television many times and has become famous nationwide. Along Prefectural Route 3, which runs through Mount Iwaki, numerous Dakekimi farm stands have opened, creating a summer tradition known as Dakekimi Road

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 feature of Dakekimi is its surprising sweetness. The secret to Dakekimi's sweetness is largely due to the temperature difference between day and night. During the day, the corn receives ample sunlight, photosynthesizes, and stores sugar, but at night, the temperature drops sharply, making it difficult for the sugar to be consumed, resulting in an extremely sweet corn. This unique sweetness is perhaps Dakekimi's greatest appeal

It reaches its peak season in late August after the Obon festival

The harvest season for Takekimi from late August to mid-September every year . Because it is only available during this short harvest period, Takekimi is truly in season. At this time of year, fresh Takekimi is lined up in the local morning markets and Takekimi Road , and many people visit in search of its sweetness.

---

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

By the way, in the Take area where Takekimi 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 Takekimi to be lost. Perhaps for this reason, although almost all the stores on Takekimi Road offer boiled Takekimi, there are not many that offer grilled Takekimi

Easily microwaved

When you're busy, you can easily enjoy takukimi in the microwave. Just place the corn in the microwave with a few skins still on and heat for 4-5 minutes at 600W. This will give you sweet takukimi that tastes just like boiled corn. Be careful, as peeling the corn before heating can dry it out. I once peeled all the skins and microwaved it without knowing what to do, but the kernels became wrinkled and lost the original juiciness of takukimi, so be careful

cooked rice

Takikomi gohan (rice cooked with dakekimi) is a popular local recipe. Remove the corn kernels from the cob and cook them together with the rice. At this time, add the cob after removing the kernels. Adding the cob brings out its sweetness and flavor, so don't throw it away, but put it in the rice cooker. Season simply with salt and sake! It's delicious as is, but try adding pepper, soy sauce, or butter to taste. If you have any left over, make rice balls, brush with a little soy sauce, and lightly grill them to make delicious grilled rice balls. The sweetness of the corn and the fragrant soy sauce are an exquisite match that 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

---

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

the in Iwaki, Hirosaki City , is a popular shop that serves shakes and soft-serve ice cream that make the most of the sweetness of Takekimi strawberries. In addition to local vegetables harvested in Iwaki, they also sell homemade pickles, wild vegetables, mushrooms, and apple juice made by 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

Information

• Name: Noichizato Direct Sales Store
• Address: 77-4 Kawazoe, Miyaji, Hirosaki City, Aomori Prefecture, 036-1341
• Phone number: 0172-82-1055
• Opening hours: Summer (April to September) 8:30 to 17:00, Winter (October to March) 9:00 to 17:00
• URL: ANEKKO
• Closed: Early January

Google Map

.

---

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..

Noichizato, mentioned above, sells Takekimi Shake and soft serve ice cream all year round, so if you're interested, be sure to check it out

---

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

---