Tsurajima Burdock (Okayama): season, origin and where to buy

Seasonal calendar

Shipped from January to September: new-crop burdock in January and February, autumn-sown in April to July, and spring-sown in July to September.

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

TURAJIMA GOBOU is a burdock having a white skin and a soft texture without the feel of fiberness. The taste is rather sweet and does not contain harshness. TURAJIMA GOBOU is usually washed before shipping. Thus, consumers are able to use it without removing the soils at home.

Link with the production area

TURAJIMA GOBOU is produced in river sands from the Takasu River. The use of river sands is rather uncommon for burdock cultivation. The area also has an abundant underflow water for irrigation. It is the largest production area of washed burdock in Chugoku-Shikoku region.

Characteristics and link with the area: Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries website (https://www.maff.go.jp/e/policies/intel/gi_act/register/s24.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 online (opens in a new tab)

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

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FAQ

Tsurajima Burdock is grown in Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture, in fields of river sand deposited by the Takahashi River. It has white skin, little bitterness, and tender, sweet flesh that is not stringy. It is shipped already washed, so it can go straight into cooking.

Tsurajima Burdock is produced in Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture (Mizushima area, and Nishiachi and Otaka in the Kurashiki area).

Tsurajima Burdock is in season (harvested or shipped) in Jan–Sep. Shipped from January to September: new-crop burdock in January and February, autumn-sown in April to July, and spring-sown in July to September.

Look for it via online shops. Check the GI mark and the place of origin before you buy.

Tsurajima Burdock was registered as a Geographical Indication on December 7, 2016 (Registration No. 24). The registered producer group is Harenokuni Okayama Agricultural Cooperatives.