The harvest of the local specialty "Sunflower Watermelon" is at its peak in Hokuryu Town, Hokkaido. At Takada Akimitsu Farm, each watermelon is carefully picked, polished with the latest automatic brushing machine, and packed into boxes. Sunflower watermelon is known for its crisp texture and refreshing sweetness. Here is a report from the producers, filled with love, on the process from the moment this delicious treat reaches your table.
It has been about a month since the first shipment and auction of sunflower watermelons began.
On Monday, July 14th, when the sunflower watermelon harvest was at its peak, we visited Takada Co., Ltd. (representative: Takada Shunki) to cover the harvesting and packing of sunflower watermelons.
Each and every fruit is carefully harvested by hand
On this day, the harvest was small, about 80 apples. On a busy day, they harvested as many as 900 apples.
In a 100m greenhouse, we carefully harvest each fruit, checking the color of the fruit stems.
Sunflower and watermelon greenhouse where harvest continues
Sunflower and watermelon greenhouse where harvest continues
Use the fruiting stick as a guide...
Use the fruiting stick as a guide...
Carefully harvested one by one
Harvested slowly and carefullyCarefully harvested one by one
Load it onto a pickup truck...
Load it into a light truck...
Harvested sunflower watermelon
Harvested sunflower watermelonTake it to the barn (packing facility)...
High-tech machines increase efficiency! Packing work
The harvested watermelons are carefully loaded into containers and then transported in light trucks to the barn where they are packed into boxes.
Sparkling clean with an automatic brush machine
Starting this year, the "Sato-type automatic brush machine" has been introduced, and it is said that the automatic brush machine has significantly improved work efficiency compared to manual brushing.
This machine automatically polishes the watermelon that is put into it with a special roll and brush. The irregular rotation of the watermelon ensures that the entire surface is evenly cleaned.
Sato Noki Watermelon Automatic Brush SWM200CX 50Hz High-Pressure Washer by Agriz
Polishing with an automatic brush machine
Polishing with an automatic brush machine
Efficient selection and packaging
Representative Takada Shunki weighs the watermelons after they have been polished with an automatic brush machine, grades them, and assembles the cardboard boxes, working quickly to ensure the work progresses efficiently.
After the watermelons are polished to a glossy finish and rolled out, they are weighed.
After the watermelons are polished to a shiny finish and rolled out, they are weighed.
Graded and boxed according to weight
Weighing workGraded and boxed according to weight
1 ball weight table
1 ball weight table
Place cardboard dividers between the watermelons
Place cardboard dividers between the watermelons
Cardboard box making
Cardboard box making
The deliciousness baton will last until mid-September
Shipments of sunflower watermelons are expected to continue until mid-September.
Sunflower watermelon harvest continues until mid-SeptemberWith gratitude for the delicious, crisp and sweet sunflower watermelon!
We sincerely hope that this exquisite sunflower watermelon, with its crisp, refreshing sweetness and shining lemon yellow color, will reach many more people!!!
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