Iwate Noda Araumi Scallops (Iwate): season, origin and where to buy

Official registration details (MAFF)

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

Characteristics

Iwate Nodamura Araumi Hotate is a scallop farmed in the Noda Bay where many planktons live and scallops are allowed to swim freely. The flesh of scallops is thick and firm, the texture is elastic, and the taste is clear and strong. The surface of the shells is smooth as operators carefully remove all the microorganisms attached to each shell before shipping.

Link with the production area

The Noda Bay is in the Sanriku Seacoast composed of many intricate coastlines. The Noda Bay has relatively large open water, which helps continuously provide fresh sea water without stagnation and thus maintains clean water all the time. Also, cages are large enough for the scallops to swim around the sea. These conditions greatly contribute to the growth and quality of the scallops.

Characteristics and link with the area: Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries website (https://www.maff.go.jp/e/policies/intel/gi_act/register/s47.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.

Buy from the producer group (opens in a new tab)

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

FAQ

These scallops are farmed in Noda Bay, Noda Village, Iwate Prefecture. The bay is open to the ocean with good tidal flow and abundant plankton, and methods such as cage culture let the scallops swim freely. They are thick and rich in umami, with firm, springy adductor muscles.

Iwate Noda Araumi Scallops is produced in Noda Bay, Noda Village, Iwate Prefecture.

Look for it via the producer group's own shop. Check the GI mark and the place of origin before you buy.

Iwate Noda Araumi Scallops was registered as a Geographical Indication on November 10, 2017 (Registration No. 47). The registered producer group is Nodamura Fisheries Cooperative.