Vol.3 I want to convey the taste wide by developed and branded.

Yokoshima Bussan Co., Ltd.
Senior Managing Director Takako Yokoshima

In the Mori Mori district of Chikuma City, one of the most domestic producing areas in Japan, Azu has been loved and protected by local people. In order to protect this beautiful landscape, some people are passionate about cultivation and processed products.

"About 50 years ago, my mother made a jam at an apricot, which was picked up at my own house, and divided it to relatives and friends. I am happy to be pleased if it is delicious. It seems that Takako Yokoshima, a managing director of Yokoshima Bussan, who consistently performed from cultivation to processing and sales, said. "

Takako Yokoshima

We want you to enjoy the forest of the forest, which is said to be "at a glance," we will enjoy cherry blossom viewing in spring, in the summer, and we have created processed products that use our own apricot since there is no word of sixth industrialization. Yokoshima Bussan has developed into a tourism type sixth industrialization. Currently, the original product of the company's processed products, which handles 50 to 60 kinds of products, is a jam of fortune, which has become a calling water, which has increased the name of other products such as dried fruits.

The product is also used by a nearby contract farmer, mainly apricot grown in low pesticides on its own farm. About 30 years ago, a "contract farmer" system has been adopted for about 30 years, with the desire to continue the Azu in the forest area, which has become more prominent and has become noticeable. At present, we hope to buy anzu from about 15 farmers, distribute and generate revenue, which will lead to the rewards of the cultivation of producers.

"Ideally, you should eat raw at the peak of harvest, but the season is limited. By processing and transforming, you want to enjoy Azu throughout the year. I'm making goods, "says Yokoshima.

Raw Azu also sells during the season

Among the many original products, "Dry Anzu" is a product that is particularly focused. For a long time, most families in the forest area have always had anzu trees, and the harvested apricots were divided into half, seeds were eaten, and the sun was dried throughout the year. Not only is it rich in dietary fiber, but also drying β -carotene is 60 times as possible.

"The wisdom of the old people is amazing. There were times when it was shunned because it looked bad, but recently the number of low -sugar -oriented people has increased, and dried apricots that do not use sugar have been re -focused. I feel that the dried apricot, which has been popular for a long time, has been pleased beyond generations.

In addition, the Matsushiro Domain has been encouraged since the Edo period, because the species of the apricot was said to be effective for coughing. From such an episode, Yokoshima Bussan is processed into "syrup pickled" with the seeds with the seeds so that you can enjoy the flavor of the apricot seeds (apricot).

"For a long time, tea ceremony has always been pickled in the apricot and dried apricot boiled. Azu was a food that was so far into the daily life of this area. Our products are like that. If you can enjoy it in your daily life, "he seems to be transmitting the charm of Azan with such a thought.

(Left) "Anry Syrup pickled" using Mori Azu
(Right) Arranged drinks with soda mint with soda -pickled syrup.

It is also a feature of Yokoshima Bussan, which takes care of the wisdom of the old people, incorporates new essences that have been in the times, as well as making products that use different characteristics for each variety. For example, "Showa", which has a solid pulp and has been salted for a long time. "Anzu Yokan", which is made with salted and white, "Showa", which features a chewy texture, is a popular product that accents the texture.

Yokoshima Bussan has been involved in businesses such as the "Anryo brand" and "Senkata brand" that aims to improve the name recognition of the Chikuma City by Chikuma City and JA. In particular, at the Harcot Council "Kyosuki", which is promoting the commercialization of Hercott, raising awareness, and aiming to brand it, Mr. Yokoshima is also one of the members. It is an attempt to excite the Hercot as a whole area, such as distributing the raw materials of Hercott to the processed company in Chikuma City and making products for each. Sometimes we also hold seminars and events that go to the Tokyo metropolitan area, such as Shinjuku Takano and JR, to convey the charm of Hercott.

"I would like to focus on product creation and other efforts so that the scenery of the Chikuma City Mori area, which is said to be" Japan's best apricot village "in the next generation," he said strongly. 。

I'm struggling today to create new products.

* This article is information as of June 2022. Please note that the handled products are subject to change.

Nagano and Anzu vol.1
Click here for anzu, which is deeply related to the local history and culture