Enjoy the thick, rich sweetness of the natural delicacy of "Anpo Kaki"! [Fukushima Prefecture]

One of Fukushima Prefecture's specialties is the dried persimmon

As the north wind gets colder and harsher, the season for dried persimmons arrives. The vibrant orange persimmons line the shelves of stores across the prefecture, a symbol of winter

Anpo-gaki is a type of dried persimmon, but it is a special product made using a unique method. It has a unique flavor that can only be found in anpo-gaki

In this article, we will introduce you to Anpo-gaki and its appeal. If you are a persimmon lover or are interested in Fukushima food, please read on

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What is anpo-gaki? Is it different from regular dried persimmons?

Yanagawa-cho, Date City, located in the northern part of Fukushima Prefecture, is a thriving producer of anpo-gaki , a type of dried persimmon.

Persimmons are harvested from early November and then dried in a drying area. The sight of rows of vibrant persimmons drying is a symbol of late autumn, bringing the season into focus

The bright orange flesh is jelly-like and chewy, with a rich, thick sweetness. Many people will be surprised at how different the texture is from regular dried persimmons

Anpo-gaki sugar content of over 30 degrees . The sugar content of typical fruits is around 15 degrees for apples and 17 degrees for grapes. Even fresh persimmons are around 16-20 degrees. Anpo-gaki is a natural sweet that is good for your body and does not contain any sugar or sweeteners.

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How are Anpo-gaki made?

The difference between dried persimmons and regular dried persimmons is how they are made

Regular dried persimmons are made by drying peeled persimmons in the sun, but in the case of anpo persimmons, they are subjected to a process called sulfur fumigation after peeling

Sulfur fumigation of dried persimmons is a technique that is said to have originated in Fukushima. By fumigating peeled persimmons with sulfur, the persimmons are protected from oxidation. As a result, they are able to maintain their vibrant orange color without turning black.

Another feature of Anpo-gaki is that it takes longer to dry than regular dried persimmons. There is a reason why Anpo-gaki is dried slowly over a period of about a month. If it were dried too quickly, the surface of the persimmon would become dry and the flesh would not have the smooth texture it has

Therefore, while drying the dried persimmons, they are repeatedly rehydrated and then dried

As you can see, anpo-gaki is a product that requires a huge amount of time and effort, and is imbued with the passion of the craftsmen to continue producing the same delicious taste

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The history of dried persimmons

The history of Anpo-gaki dates back over 90 years and is still handed down in its birthplace, Isasawa, Yanagawa-cho, Date City

The history begins in 1922. The technique of sulfur fumigation, which was used to make raisins at the time, was adopted and established in the production of dried persimmons, which had been practiced since the Edo period

"amaboshi-gaki," which refers to persimmons that are peeled and dried in the sun . It is said that by the time of the Meiji period, the name had changed to the current anpo-gaki.

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Where can I buy Anpo-gaki?

Anpo-gaki is a luxurious product that requires a lot of time and effort. It is packaged more carefully than regular dried persimmons and is sometimes packed in a folding box, making it a classy gift or souvenir

They can be purchased at roadside stations, train stations, and product shops within the prefecture. When they are in season, they can also be purchased online, so if you want to get your hands on them easily, it's a good idea to search for them

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summary

In this article, we introduced the dried persimmons grown in Yanagawa-cho, Date City, Fukushima Prefecture

The distinctive features of Anpo-gaki are its vibrant orange color, its rich, sticky texture, and its high-quality sweetness, refined by nature. You can enjoy a luxurious persimmon flavor that is unlike any other

When the season comes, dried persimmons can be purchased online, so if you're interested, please give them a try

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