Date no Anpo Gaki Dried Persimmon (Fukushima / Miyagi): season, origin and where to buy

Seasonal calendar

Available from about December to March, peaking from mid-December through February.

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

The juicy-looking vivid orange flesh of this dried persimmon is soft, with a meltingly pleasant mouthfeel and a sweetness that is not overpowering. Bright-orange "curtains" of row upon row of persimmons being line-dried under the sun (an activity known locally as kakibase) is a ubiquitous winter sight in areas where production takes place.

Link with the production area

Communities in and around the Fukushima Basin formed by the Abukuma and Ou Mountains are said to be the birthplace of anpo-gaki, where in the early 20th century methods of sulfur fumigation for preserving the fruit's natural vivid color were established. The term anpo-gaki, in use since the Meiji era (late 19C-early 20C), is a local dialect for sun-dried persimmon, widely produced because the local climate--large diurnal temperature range and small rainfall--is ideal for the production of both persimmon fruits and dried persimmon.

Characteristics and link with the area: Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries website (https://www.maff.go.jp/e/policies/intel/gi_act/register/s123.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.

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

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FAQ

Semi-dried persimmons from the Date area of Fukushima, regarded as the birthplace of anpo gaki. They have vivid orange flesh, a soft, smooth texture and refined sweetness. The sight of persimmons hung like curtains to dry, called kakibase, is a symbol of winter in the area.

Date no Anpo Gaki Dried Persimmon is produced in Date City, Kunimi Town, Koori Town, Fukushima City (Tatsugoyama, Iizaka, Miyashiro, Okabe, Ozaso and Onami) and Kawamata Town (Iizaka) in Fukushima Prefecture; Shiroishi City (Kosugo and Odaira) in Miyagi Prefecture.

Date no Anpo Gaki Dried Persimmon is in season (harvested or shipped) in Dec–Mar. Available from about December to March, peaking from mid-December through February.

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

Date no Anpo Gaki Dried Persimmon was registered as a Geographical Indication on January 31, 2023 (Registration No. 123). The registered producer group is Date Region Anpo Gaki Liaison Council.