Sugar content testing of Hokuryu Town's specialty "Sunflower Watermelon" will be conducted and the product will be shipped to the agricultural cooperative on Thursday, June 6th, with the first auction scheduled for Friday, June 7th in Asahikawa and Sapporo!

June 5, 2024
Feature Articles, JA Kitasorachi Hokuryu Branch, Activity report from Mayor Yasuhiro Sasaki of Hokuryu Town, Sunflower Watermelon, Takada Co., Ltd.
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Wednesday, June 5, 2024

On Tuesday, June 4th, just before 7:00 a.m., ahead of the first shipment of Hokuryu Town's specialty "Sunflower Watermelon," sugar content tests were conducted on ripe "Sunflower Watermelon" at two "Sunflower Watermelon" growers. "Sunflower Watermelon" is a small yellow watermelon.

Sugar content testing is done to check the sugar content and ripeness of watermelons and determine when they can be shipped.

table of contents

1 Sugar content testing of Hokuryu Town's specialty "Sunflower Watermelon"
2 Hokuryu Town's specialty "Sunflower Watermelon"! Sweet! Delicious!
3 Sugar content test/YouTube video
4 Other photos
5 Related articles

Sugar content testing of Hokuryu Town's specialty "Sunflower Watermelon"

A speech by Akimitsu Takada, president of the Sunflower Watermelon Association

"I tried cutting a sunflower watermelon the day before yesterday, but because it was cold at night, it seems to be taking a little longer to ripen.I can see that there is a lot of white meat around the outside.I will cut it today, check the sugar content, and decide on the shipping date," said Takada, the union president.

"Sunflower Watermelon" Sugar Content Test

Takada Co., Ltd.'s "Sunflower Watermelon"

Mature watermelons are selected from the greenhouse and weighed. They are then carefully cut, the center of the watermelon is cut out, squeezed, and the juice is poured into a sugar meter to measure the sugar content.

The sugar content was measured at 12 degrees Brix, which is sweeter than the average sugar content!

Squeeze the juice and put it into the measuring machine...

Experience the sweet and juicy flesh!

Everyone will taste the fruit to check the ripeness, texture of the fruit, juiciness of the juice, etc.

This year, the exquisite "Sunflower Watermelon" has been born again, with its sweet, juicy, and refreshing taste!!!

Sugimoto Farm's "Sunflower Watermelon"

We then moved to Katsuhiro Sugimoto's greenhouse to conduct a sugar content test.
The sugar content is 11.9 degrees and the taste is good! Shipping has been confirmed.

If the sugar content is not sufficient or the fruit is not ripe enough at the time of the sugar content test, adjustments will be made, such as delaying the shipping date.The fruit is shipped only after thorough inspection and strict management and confirmation.

Determining the shipping date:
Shipped to agricultural cooperatives on Thursday, June 6th, and first auctions in Asahikawa and Sapporo on Friday, June 7th

Finally, Yuya Fujikawa from the JA Kitasorachi Produce Department announced the shipping date.

Schedule announced by Yuya Fujikawa of the JA Kitasorachi Fruit and Vegetable Department

"The sugar content test results showed that Takada's fruit was 12 degrees and Sugimoto's was 11.9 degrees, so the fruit will be shipped on Thursday, June 6th, and the first auction will be on Friday, June 7th.

This year, the COVID-19 situation has calmed down, so we will be able to do tastings at the first auction, and we will be handing out one case of samples. We will also be conducting a full sugar content test at Takada Akimitsu's place on the morning of June 6th (Thursday), so we ask for your cooperation."

Commemorative photo

The producers grow "Sunflower Watermelon" with love.

The producers who lovingly cultivate "Sunflower Watermelon"

Sunflower watermelons waiting to be shipped!!!

The Sunflower Watermelon is a juicy, lemon yellow shining fruit!!!

Sunflower watermelon is a juicy, lemon yellow treat!

An exquisite yellow small watermelon that is juicy and refreshingly sweet!

With boundless love, gratitude, and prayers to Hokuryu Town's "Sunflower Watermelon," which shines with the yellow brilliance of a sunflower and brings deliciousness and happiness to everyone...

Hokuryu Town's specialty "Sunflower Watermelon"! Sweet! Delicious!

After the sugar content test, the first freshly picked "Sunflower Watermelon" of the year was brought to the town hall, where it was tasted by Mayor Yasuhiro Sasaki, town hall staff, and Vice Principal Goji Kitagawa of Shinryu Elementary School, who happened to be visiting the town hall.

Hokuryu Town's "Sunflower Watermelon! Sweet! Delicious!"

It's a taste of happiness that brings a smile to your face ♡
　