It's finally summer in Japan! It means it is time to harvest peach! Peach is one of Yamanashi's famous products. I've looking forward to harvest peaches ever since I came to Yamanashi! Last week I am finally able to do it!
Last week I went to Dream Farm company's farm and helped the production of peaches. On my last post, I talked about what I learn about cultivating peach. It's been a few weeks since that and the peaches are now big and ready to be harvested.
The first thing I did when I arrived was helping making boxes. Folding boxes were not hard, you just have to fold the carton. I made around 50 boxes, than I helped boxing the peaches. I was taught that you should check if the peach is good enough to be sold or not. First, you have to check if there is any bug bites or if it has not been eaten by bugs or not. Second, you have to check if there is any mark or bruise in the peach. If there is a mark and when you try to touch or lightly push it it was tender, It means the peach is not good. Third, You have to check if there isn't any hole near the stem. This is because if there is a hole in the peach, water could enter the hole and rotten the fruit. If all of these is not found, then you can put the fruit cover and put it in the box.
I also learn that you have to put peaches of the same size in one box. This is so that the market could differentiate the size of the peaches easily. The size of the peaches are 特大(Extra large), 大(large), 中(Medium), 小(small). The size of the peach is determine by how many peaches can one box contain. For example if it could contain 18 to 20 peaches in one box, it is categorized as medium sized. This is why it is important to put the same size peaches in one box.
It was fun helping and learn a lot of things about peaches! There are some places in Yamanashi where you can try harvesting peaches in the local farm. If you have a chance to come to Yamanashi this summer, why don't you try this experience too? It was fun and the peaches here are delicious!
