Gushichan Piman (Green Pepper) (Okinawa): season, origin and where to buy

Seasonal calendar

It is shipped mainly in winter and spring, roughly from October to the following June.

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

"Gushichan Piman" is a big-size bell pepper with a thick pericarp, shiny skin, apple-resembling sweetness, and crunchy texture. Consumers highly recognize it as not being bitter and good to eat, even fresh. The production of Gushichan Piman is also leading the regional agriculture, with both production value and its percentage increasing.

Link with the production area

Under a warm climate, the agricultural cooperative has established unique cultivation techniques that maximize the excellent characteristics of varieties that are difficult to grow elsewhere, by utilizing Okinawa's mineral-rich soil and regional resources such as sugarcane, as well as soil improvement methods and sufficient water retention from underground dams. Even in winter, no heating is required in greenhouses, and no fossil fuels are used. Combined with an environmentally friendly, sustainable production system that reduces pesticide use, this has encouraged young people to enter the agricultural sector, leading to an increase in the Piman shipments.

Characteristics and link with the area: Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries website (https://www.maff.go.jp/e/policies/intel/gi_act/register/250701_6.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.

We have not found a reliable online or furusato nozei listing yet. Ask local farm stands or the producer group.

FAQ

A green pepper grown in Yaese, Okinawa, in greenhouses that need no heating even in winter. The large, thick-walled, glossy peppers have an apple-like sweetness and crisp texture, with little bitterness, so they are good even eaten raw.

Gushichan Piman (Green Pepper) is produced in Yaese Town, Shimajiri District, Okinawa Prefecture.

Gushichan Piman (Green Pepper) is in season (harvested or shipped) in Oct–Jun. It is shipped mainly in winter and spring, roughly from October to the following June.

We have not confirmed a reliable online or furusato nozei listing. Local farm stands or the producer group are your best bet.

Gushichan Piman (Green Pepper) was registered as a Geographical Indication on January 29, 2024 (Registration No. 140). The registered producer group is JA Okinawa.