Product Summary (Registration No.87)

Registration No.87 東出雲のまる畑ほし柿

Registered name (Transcription) : 東出雲のまる畑ほし柿（Higashiizumo no Maruhata Hoshigaki, Higashiizumo no Maruhata Hoshikaki）, Higashiizumo Maruhata Hoshi-gaki
Reference information : Higashiizumo Maruhata Dried Persimmon

Category of product

Class 5 : Processed agricultural product (Dried Japanese persimmon)

Production Area

Shimane Prefecture Kamiito Hata district, Higashiizumo-cho, Matsue City

Registered Group

Shimane Prefecture Agricultural Cooperative

Characteristics

Higashiizumo Maruhata Hoshi-gaki is a dried persimmon with a high Brix of about 80. The fruit is dried in special roofed structures two to four stories high. The flesh is deep orange in color. Naturally occurring fruit sugar crystals coat the surface. Although the fruit is dried completely all the way to its center, its flesh still remains baby-soft. Despite its high sugar level, the sweetness is not overpowering. The product is highly prized for its excellent quality and the prestige of its 400-year history of production. It is in high demand as a luxurious gift, especially for year-end oseibo.

Link with the Production Area

Local conditions, such as well-drained clay-rich soil with good water and nutrient retention, are favorable for growing the Saijo variety of persimmon used for Higashiizumo Maruhata Hoshi-gaki production. The drying operation is helped by the cool seasonal winds and large diurnal temperature ranges typical during late autumn to early winter. To make the most of these seasonal winds, dedicated structures two to four stories high are built for drying persimmons. Drying in these buildings condenses the fruit's sweetness for the production of high-Brix dried persimmon.