Product Summary (Registration No.85)

Registration No.85 伊吹そば

Registered name (Transcription) : 伊吹そば（Ibuki Soba）,伊吹在来そば（Ibuki Zairaisoba）
Reference information : Ibuki Buckwheat

Category of product

Class 1 : Agricultural product (Buckwheat)  

Production Area

Shiga Prefecture Maibara City

Registered Group

Ibuki Soba Production Association

Characteristics

Ibuki Soba is a native variety of buckwheat grown on mountainside fields around Mt. Ibuki. Grain sizes are typically 4.5 mm or smaller in diameter. The seed is surrounded by a seed coat, which takes up a considerable proportion of the grain and is responsible for the green tone and strong flavor of this soba. The soba is rated highly by soba mills and soba noodle restaurants for its excellent umami and sweetness.

Link with the Production Area

Local conditions in areas upstream of the river Anegawa (Ane River), where Ibuki Soba production originated, are favorable for the production of soba. Sloping mountainside locations are well-drained, and chances of cross-pollination are reduced by the surrounding mountains. Production has gradually spread downstream to include parts of Maibara City, where well-drained alluvial landforms, and andosol soils also make good soba fields. Seeds are, as a rule, still collected from fields upstream of Anegawa to preserve the integrity of the native breed, while expanding areas of production downstream has ensured more consistent yields.