21-04-2025
Production of pickled cherry blossoms in full swing in east Japan city
HADANO, Kanagawa -- Production of salted multilayered cherry blossoms, known as "sakura-zuke" (pickled cherry blossoms), has reached its peak in this eastern Japan city.
Hadano is one of Japan's leading producers of edible multilayered cherry blossoms. The processing facility of the Chimura Wakatake-kai, a group of producers in the city's Chimura district, is awash in pink from the harvested blossoms.
The group uses the vivid "Kanzan" variety. Blossoms flowering at 70% to 80%, which boast good color and fragrance, are picked and soaked in salt, plum vinegar and other ingredients for about a month to make sakura-zuke.
The blossoms bloomed slowly this year due to many cold days. Also, with little rain, high-quality sakura-zuke of excellent color and shape are apparently expected.
The group's representative Kikue Kato, 45, expressed her delight, saying, "Just adding a single sakura-zuke can brighten up a dining table, bringing a sense of spring. I'd be happy if many people enjoy this 'edible spring.'"
(Japanese original by Mimi Niimiya, Photo Group)
