What are Fukaura Snow Carrots? Learn about the differences between them and regular carrots, the secret to their sweetness, and how to get them [Fukaura, Aomori Prefecture]

Have you ever heard of " Fukaura Snow Carrots

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What are Fukaura Snow Carrots? Carrots that stay sweet over the winter

Snow Carrots grown in Fukaura Town are a little different from regular carrots. They are not harvested in the fall, but are left to rest underground and then dug up around December when the cold weather sets in, resulting in a carrot that is sweeter. First, let's look at the differences between these carrots and regular carrots.

What is the difference between Fukaura Snow Carrots and regular carrots?

The defining feature of Fukaura Snow Carrots is their sweetness and intense umami flavor. Ordinary carrots have a light sweetness, but Fukaura Snow Carrots are so sweet that you'll think they're fruit the moment you eat them

You can taste its sweetness when eaten raw, but the difference becomes clear when cooked, and the dish itself is sweet even without using sugar. The sweetness and aroma are not only useful in soups and potages, but also in stir-fries, bringing the dish together as a whole. Usually, carrots tend to play a supporting role, but snow carrots have such a strong presence that they make you think, "That's what I wanted to eat!"

Appearance and taste characteristics

At first glance, they look similar to regular carrots, but on closer inspection, they are darker in color and when cut, the cross section is tightly packed. They have no grassy smell at all, and the aroma has depth, and what makes snow carrots interesting is that they are not just sweet. When heated, the sweetness stands out even more, and they have a mellow taste that makes you wonder if they are a candy. They are easy to eat even for children who don't like carrots, and I think that at the family dinner table, you will feel that they are different from regular carrots!

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The secret to its sweetness, ripened under the snow

Why are Fukaura Snow Carrots so sweet? The secret lies in the cultivation method and the climate of Fukaura

The sweetness and flavor slowly increase in the soil

In Fukaura, carrot seeds are sown in the summer, and when autumn arrives, they are left in the fields without being dug up immediately. When snow falls, the entire field is covered in white, and it is this snow that is the secret to the sweetness of Fukaura Snow Carrots. Harvesting continues from December, when the snow begins to fall, until around March of the following year, so the carrots ripen underground for about five months. It's amazing that even in the middle of winter, farmers go into the snow-covered fields and harvest each carrot by hand

How cold weather increases sugar content

When plants are exposed to cold, they convert starch into sugar to protect themselves from freezing. Carrots are no exception, and the winters in Fukaura are cold enough for this change to occur. The water flowing from the Shirakami Mountains, the snowfall and the just-right climate in summer that isn't too hot, make it the perfect environment for carrots. It's not just the farmers' skills that are the secret to their deliciousness, but Fukaura's winters themselves

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Where can I buy it? How to get it and enjoy it

Fukaura Snow Carrots are rarely available fresh, and are generally sold as processed products. Here we will introduce how you can enjoy them, whether through direct purchase, mail order, or at restaurants in Fukaura Town

Buy from a farm shop or direct from the farm in Fukaura Town

In winter, processed snow carrot products are available at farm shops and roadside stations in Fukaura Town. The carrots used as raw materials are hand-picked and produced in small quantities, so they are often sold for general household use in the form of juice, puree, soup, etc. Although they are processed products, the aroma and sweetness are unmistakably that of snow carrots. People can be seen buying them as souvenirs, making them a great way to take home a taste of "Fukaura's winter."

Can I buy it online? Ordering information

For those who can't quite make it to Fukaura, there's always the option of ordering online. Processed products are available in winter only, but can be purchased from online shops and direct from the producer websites. Juices and pastes in particular are easy to handle and are versatile enough to use in cooking. They may sell out depending on the timing, but the fact that they are "seasonal" makes them an exciting pleasure

Enjoy at restaurants in Fukaura Town

If you want to experience the deliciousness of snow carrots, we highly recommend the restaurants in Fukaura Town. At the Western restaurant Sailing, a rich beef stew is served with a sauce made from snow carrot puree, and the deep sweetness underpins the entire dish. Also, at Furofushi Onsen, the famous Fukaura tuna steak set meal is sometimes served with Fukaura snow carrot dressing and jelly. You can enjoy the deliciousness of Fukaura snow carrots better than eating them raw

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summary

Fukaura Snow Carrots, grown in Fukaura Town, are a special breed born from a unique cultivation method in Fukaura that "takes advantage of the cold to make them sweet." They have a higher sugar content than regular carrots, and their soft, mild flavor is sure to surprise anyone who eats them. They can be easily found as processed products or enjoyed at local restaurants, and there are many ways to enjoy them. These carrots are packed with the nature and human ingenuity of Fukaura, and once you try them, you'll be hooked

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