September 22, 2010

Vineyard Fun


This weekend I had fun grape-picking at Kitada-en, a local farm in Tokorozawa. Right now the Kyoho, Pione, and Beni-izu grapes are in season.

This was my first time at a Japanese U-pick farm so I was curious how it operated. I should of known everything would be all professional...the good grapes waiting to be picked were wrapped in white paper!

So what we'd do is, look inside the white paper and choose which grape we wanted, which isn't a hard choice at all, as most are waiting beautifully to be picked!

Then we'd take the scissors and snap the stem. Very easy, right? And don't forget, the longer the stem the longer the grapes stay fresh!


I think I'm going to make this an annual outing. I loved walking under the grapevines! And the grapes were really delicious! Yum!


22 comments:

Al said...

Very interesting, I've never been to a grape farm. I can't imagine it would be that well organized here!

Anonymous said...

What a joy for the senses it must be. Please have a wonderful Wednesday.

daily athens

Louis la Vache said...

Very interesting how the ready-to-pick grapes are wrapped with a white paper cone around them.

Unknown said...

Very juicy looking grapes. Oh, now I know the secret, I'm going to choose long stems when buying at the supermart :)

Leif Hagen said...

Fun to pick grapes! Yumm!

dosankodebbie said...

I absolutely ADORE Kyoho grapes! My friends in Honshu often send us a box of these. I've never been to a U-pick farm-- I didn't even know that's what they were called in English. :D

Randy said...

I'll bet that was a wonderful time. The grapes look so tasty!

T. Becque said...

So I was apple picking and you were grape picking! I love grapes, I would enjoy this. How neat that they are ready for you in white paper!

Anzu said...

I heard that the grapes of this year is particularly delicious,
because of so hot summer season.
Well-colored Kyoho, it looks delicious!

Elettra said...

you did really a nice experience

VP said...

You have your own way with grapes! I think I'd like it this way...

Lisergic Synaesthesiae said...

Grape harvesting time... and the New Wine is coming!

:p

B SQUARED said...

They do some things so much better there. I'd love to snip a few.

Francisca said...

Now I know why the fruits in Japan are absolutely perfect. And super expensive! What a great way to spend a day, Kaori.

arabesque said...

okay, i''ve never been to a vineyard before, so this post got me curious as a bee. ^0^
do they make wines also?
and the grapes looks yum-yum. ^0^

Anonymous said...

That's a u-pick with real class.

Michael Valčić said...

Those grapes look huge. Grapes are one of my favorite things to have for a snack.

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

In Malaysia, people also wrap their fruits. I suppose your grape grower painstakingly trimmed some smaller grapes and allowed only the big ones to grow.

Everyone knows Japanese fruits are presented at their best.

I featured Japanese udon for this theme.

Kaori said...

Hiya everybody! Thank you for the comments ;D

Debbie, I'm not sure if "u-pick" is the official word for it but that's what we called it in the midwest ;D

Anzu, they grapes WERE really tasty! Especially the kyoho ;D

Francisca, you're right. I think it's been a while since I actually tasted Kyoho grapes as they are always so expensive at the supermarket. Picking your own is much more fun and cheaper ;D

Arabesque, I don't think they make enough grapes to make wine here. But they did have a section where they made grapes to ship out to stores! :D

Copenhagen said...

This looks like a lot of fun :)

'Tsuki said...

oh, du raison déjà en sachet... Quelle bonnée idée, pas besoin de l'emballer après la cueillette :D

this too will pass said...

great post; grapes in tissue on the vine, whatever next?

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