"Japanese Satonishiki cherries: worth a statue"

"The prefecture Yamagata, a three hour train trip north of Tokyo, is ideal for cherry cultivation, due to relatively little rainfall, and the municipality Higashine is the most important production centre. The area covers 2,500 ha and this forms 70% of the total Japanese cherry production. There is open ground cultivation as well as covered cultivation (plastic shelters against the rain) and the most grown variety is the popular Satonishiki, which was created by crossing the old variety Bigarreau Napoleon and the local Kidama. In Yamagata Satonishiki makes up no less than 80% of the planted area. It's a sweet cherry, fleshy and juicy, it has yellow flesh with a good shelf life and is meant for the fresh market. The Satonishiki cherry weighs 7-8 grammes on average, but recently large sizes have also been supplied (12-13 grammes). The sugar level is strikingly high (over 14%) and ripe cherries can even reach 20%! Around 3,000 cherries are harvested from one tree," says Henk de Bruin.

"Satonishiki cherries are especially loved among the Japanese due to the flavour and the appearance, but are mainly bought as relationship gifts due to the astronomical prices. Prices of 1-3 Euro per cherry are no exception!"

"The grower defends the high price by pointing out the labour intensive cultivation, heating, and the costs of the plastic shelters. Leaves that block sunlight and unnecessary buds are removed and plastic sheets are placed on the ground for optimal reflection of sunlight. Besides cross pollination with bees pollination by hand is also used and sorting by size and colour is extremely precise."

"The first Satonishiki cherries were supplied in 1928 by the grower Sato Eisuke and a statue of him was erected in his honour in front of the station of Higashine. Maybe a idea for Holland to honour innovative growers?"

For more information:
Henk de Bruin
Apex Inc./Tokyo
[email protected]
[email protected]