Tsuruta Steuben Grape (Aomori): season, origin and where to buy

Seasonal calendar

Harvested in October, with stored grapes shipped until around the following 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

Tsuruta Steuben is a very sweet grape and has a storage stability. Also the tufts are large and the number of grains is large. By using the unique storage method, It can be shipped with the taste and freshness maintained from October to February of the following year. Tsuruta Steuben is traded at high prices compared to other Steuben, as it is the valuable domestic grapes which is available even after the turn of the year.

Link with the production area

The weather conditions (annual precipitation and temperature) of the production area are similar to New York where Steuben was originally bred.Moreover, the temperature difference between day and night during the cultivation period is between 8 degrees and 10 degrees. Therefore the sugar content is high. The unique cultivation method called "Tsugaru improved producing method" and the storage technology from the experience of apple cultivation have been established.

Characteristics and link with the area: Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries website (https://www.maff.go.jp/e/policies/intel/gi_act/register/s75.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)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

Steuben grapes grown mainly in Tsuruta Town, Aomori Prefecture. Very sweet at 18 Brix or more, they form large, tightly packed bunches that store well. Using long-term storage know-how built up through apple growing, the area ships them from the October harvest until around February, making them one of the few Japanese grapes sold after New Year.

Tsuruta Steuben Grape is produced in Tsuruta Town in Kitatsugaru County; parts of Itayanagi Town (Kohata, Nonaka, Kakeochibayashi, Kashiwagi and Botanmori); Nanatsudate in Goshogawara City; and Kashiwakuwanokida in Tsugaru City, Aomori Prefecture.

Tsuruta Steuben Grape is in season (harvested or shipped) in Oct–Feb. Harvested in October, with stored grapes shipped until around the following February.

Look for it via furusato nozei (hometown tax donation) and the producer group's own shop. Check the GI mark and the place of origin before you buy.

Tsuruta Steuben Grape was registered as a Geographical Indication on March 20, 2019 (Registration No. 75). The registered producer group is Tsuruta Steuben Japan’s No.1Promotion Association.