Daisen Broccoli (Tottori): season, origin and where to buy

Seasonal calendar

The autumn-winter crop runs from late September to late April and the early-summer crop from early April to early July, so it ships almost all year except midsummer.

Timing shifts with the weather and conditions in each region.

Official registration details (MAFF)

The registered description as published by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

Characteristics

Daisen Broccoli has strong sweetness and is free from harsh taste by thorough quality control. Also, its production area is suitable for stable supply of broccoli. Therefore, Daisen Broccoli is highly evaluated in the market and the production area is very famous for producing broccoli. In fact, Daisen Broccoli is traded at about 10% higher price than broccoli produced in other area and Daisen Broccoli has 20% of shares in the Nagoya market.

Link with the production area

The production area, located at the foot of Mount Daisen, has well-drained andosol soil with rich organic matter and sandy loam soil. The area’s annual average temperature is about 15 degrees and the difference of temperature between day and night is 8 degrees. These conditions are suitable for broccoli production. The cultivation of Daisen Broccoli has been thoroughly controlled by the method established over the years in the area.

Characteristics and link with the area: Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries website (https://www.maff.go.jp/e/policies/intel/gi_act/register/s70.html)

Where to buy

As a rule, only products that meet the registered standard may use a GI name (with exceptions such as prior use). Check for the GI mark and the place of origin to tell it apart from ordinary products with similar names.

Find on furusato nozei (opens in a new tab)

These links go to Japanese-language shops; check whether they ship overseas.

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FAQ

Broccoli grown at the foot of Mount Daisen in Yonago City and Saihaku and Hino counties in western Tottori Prefecture. Well-drained, organic-rich soils, a suitable climate and strict quality control give it good flavor. It holds about 20 percent of the Nagoya market and sells at a premium.

Daisen Broccoli is produced in Saihaku County (Daisen Town, Hiezu Village, Nanbu Town and Hoki Town), Hino County (Nichinan Town, Hino Town and Kofu Town) and Yonago City, Tottori Prefecture.

Daisen Broccoli is in season (harvested or shipped) in Sep–Jul. The autumn-winter crop runs from late September to late April and the early-summer crop from early April to early July, so it ships almost all year except midsummer.

Look for it via furusato nozei (hometown tax donation). Check the GI mark and the place of origin before you buy.

Daisen Broccoli was registered as a Geographical Indication on December 27, 2018 (Registration No. 70). The registered producer group is Tottori Seibu Agricultural Cooperative.