Both the leaves and the fruit are used. "Okarakuwa" has the same name as "karakuwa"

Kesennuma is surrounded by rich nature. We will be introducing the seasonal "sea and mountain horse mackerel" along with the voices of those involved in production.

This time we will be introducing the "Okarakuwa" variety, which is cultivated in Karakuwa Town, Kesennuma City. We spoke to Hirotsugu Tamagawa, chairman of the Okarakuwa Cultivation Enthusiasts Association.

Cultivation started because of the name

The large mulberry trees cultivated in Karakuwa Town, Kesennuma City, are different from the mulberry leaves used in sericulture, and are a variety of mulberry trees that have been improved for processing their fruit and leaves. Cultivation began in 2003, before the area was merged into Kesennuma City.

The reason for the cultivation of Okarakuwa was, as expected, its name. The variety includes the name of the region, "Karakuwa," and its cultivation spread as an attempt to develop a local specialty product.

Processed products from leaves and fruits

The characteristic of the large karaku mulberry is that both the fruit and leaves grow to be more than twice the normal size.
Mulberry tea, made from dried leaves, is caffeine-free, has little bitterness or astringency, and does not have the peculiar taste of green juice, making it popular as an easy-to-drink health tea.

It can also be crushed to make mulberry tea powder, which is then sold as udon noodles or pasta mixed with the powder.

▲ Mulberry leaf udon is also on the menu at Hanzo Rest House. The noodles are smooth and easy to swallow.

The fruit has a natural sweetness and sourness and is mainly processed into jam. Starting this year, "mulberry jelly" has also been developed.

▲ Mulberry jelly with a concentrated flavor similar to that of solidified jam.

Okarakuwa products are sold at Hanzo Rest House, Oshima Welcome Terminal, Otani Kaigan Roadside Station, and other locations.

Large Chinese mulberry

Harvest time

Mulberry leaves (July to mid-August), mulberry fruits (June to July)

Characteristics

Large leaves and fruit

Producer

Greater Karasu Mulberry Cultivation Enthusiasts Association

▼We introduce Kesennuma's "sea horse mackerel and mountain horse mackerel."