On August 28^th, the shipment of Kyoto Prefecture endorsed “Kyo” branded “Kyotango Nashi” Pears started at JA Kyoto Kumihama Pear Sorting Plant in Kumihama-cho Urake, Kyotango City. The light rain experienced this summer led to high quality high sugar pears.

Kyotango Nashi Pears refer to “Gold 20^th Century” Pears and other varieties where the sugar content is 11.5 degrees Brix or more. They are known for their not too sweet not too sour taste, and are grown by about 30 farmers, working on a total of 12 hectares of farmland in Kumihama and Amino.

From the early morning, farmers brought round, freshly harvest pears to the sorting plant. The workers at the plant then took the bags of fruit, checked for any blemishes or bruises and transferred the fruit to the conveyor belt. The pears were then measured for their sugar content, separated by size and those fit for sale were loaded into boxes.

“This year there wasn’t much rain so the pears are small but the sugar content is just right”, said farmer Mr. Yoshinobu Imoto (86, Amino-cho Tawarano).

The harvest will continue until late September. Last year’s harvest was 120 tons but this year’s shipment to Kyoto City Central Wholesale Market and other grocers is predicted to be approximately 150 tons.

“Gold 20^th Century” Pears and other varieties are on sale at nearby Roadside Station Kumihama SANKAIKAN as well as every farm in Kyotango City. “We’ve got “Housui” pears, “Shinkou” pears and more on sale. We even have “Okusankichi” pears which are available until the Spring!” exclaims Head of Kumihama SANKAIKAN, Ms. Motoko Nagagishi.

Copyright © The Kyoto Shimbun

Translated by Kyotango City Tourism Association