How to choose produce

I will take a break from my Hong Kong travelogue for a little while.

I would like to write about agricultural products.

Our family has a field of about 133m² on our property.

This may seem like a given since it's Hokkaido, but

This area is a residential area in Sapporo's commuter town.

The average size of each plot is 160 to 200 square meters.

There are an average of two cars in the remaining space.

This is an area where many homes have small vegetable gardens.

Compared to Sapporo city, you can live a relaxed life here.

It seems that many people make the effort to come all the way from Sapporo.

Although it is such a place,

From the beginning, our family decided to go beyond the realm of home gardening.

We purchased a plot of land measuring over 100 tsubo.

The reason is that, ultimately, agricultural products cannot be trusted.

This includes falsifying origins and farming methods.

Before I moved here, I was concerned about these problems.

Since we wanted to eat safe vegetables, we concluded that growing them at home was the best option.

By the way, this is last year's harvest.

There are nine blueberry trees,

We are now able to harvest quite a lot.

I didn't do anything in particular, but it happened.

Of course, it is pesticide-free.

Last year we even harvested melons.

The harvest was served on the table like this without any special cooking.

If you can't eat it all, wash it, chop it up and store it in the freezer.

This will come in handy later on.

Of course I will purchase it.

By the way, we have an annual contract with a rice farmer in the neighboring town who grows rice without pesticides.

When I lived in Tokyo, it was difficult to get safe vegetables.

Order organic vegetables delivered to your home,

I had to go to the right store to get it,

Since coming here it has become much easier to get.

After all, there are farmers in the neighborhood,

In the summer, they often leave their harvest at our front door.

We enjoyed some fruit from our neighbor's garden.

So, from the neighboring farmer

The other day I was given something that I am extremely grateful for.

It's Tartary soba.

This year, I will grow some to sow as seeds in my garden and some to use as tea.

I visited a farmer for some business,

We were served home-grown Tartary buckwheat tea.

No fertilizer or pesticides are used, just spread it and do nothing.

It is completely natural cultivation.

This is made by husking, washing and drying the grains.

There are some white spots mixed in,

It's roasted and becomes like popcorn.

The tea has a mild flavor that is to the liking of Japanese people.

You can have it any time throughout the year.

Our neighboring farmer has been in the family for over 20 years.

Apparently he drinks this Tartary Soba tea every day.

Not only tea, but also this extract (tea)

It can also be used as a base for miso soup or coffee.

Thanks to that, the 87-year-old lady

He worked in farm work until last year.

However, recently he has had trouble with his knee and is no longer able to do it.

However, it seems that housework is still being done.

I am in very good health.

This is truly a fine medicinal tea.

Tartary buckwheat is packed with ingredients that are extremely beneficial for your body.

It would be ideal to buy agricultural products like this, from farmers you can see face to face.

If possible, home grown is best.

What I always think when studying medicinal foods is,

Before even thinking about medicinal foods, ensuring the safety of food ingredients is the most important thing.

What is the environment like in the areas where food is produced?

Is it contaminated with pesticides or chemical fertilizers?

It is essential to combine this modern harmful literacy with the scholarship of 2,000 years ago.

An acquaintance of mine who has been selling tea in China for many years

Apparently they visit farmers directly to check the safety of their produce before purchasing it.

Otherwise, it seems we can't let our guard down.

This Tartary buckwheat, after consulting with farmers,

I'm thinking of selling it if I can get some more.