【プレスリリース】兵庫県は、あずき「全国2位」。 江戸時代からの在来種を絶やさない。 アパレル時代からの「守りたい」を形にする「あずき茶プロジェクト」始動 ― 1月29日（木）「ひょうごッシモ」にて先行販売開始 ―
Ann Corporation Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Kobe City; Representative Director: Sayaka Kobayashi) has developed "hadzuki Dainagon Azuki Tea" using native azuki beans from Hyogo Prefecture. Today, January 29 (Thursday), in conjunction with the grand opening of Hyogo Prefecture's official online store "Hyogossimo," pre-sales will begin on the same site.
▽Hyogo Prefecture Official Online Store "Hyogossimo" Product Details Page
https://www.hyogossimo.jp/view/item/000000000256
■ [Background] "Discontinuation of Technology" Faced in a Previous Job. Undertaking to Enhance the Added Value of Azuki Beans Based on That Experience
Hyogo Prefecture boasts the second-largest acreage for azuki bean cultivation in Japan after Hokkaido (※), but azuki beans, which offer low profitability despite the effort involved, are facing a crisis of survival as farmers age. Representative Kobayashi witnessed the harsh reality in her previous job in the apparel industry, where once production stopped, the techniques and machinery of a production area could never be revived.
"I don't want to lose anything important anymore." Driven by this desire, she focused on the rare "Mikata Dainagon Azuki" that has been preserved in the Tajima region since the Edo period. By maximizing its rich flavor and commercializing it, she aims to sustain the production area and enhance its added value.
※Source: Created by the Japan Anko Association from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries' 2024 "Area Survey".
■ [Uniqueness] Only 3 in Japan. 5-Degree Discernment. "Brick Kiln" Inheriting Traditional Techniques
There is no compromise in roasting. All tea ingredients are extremely delicate, and the flavor and aroma can change significantly depending on the day's temperature and a mere 5-degree difference in roasting temperature. We visited "Inashi Seicha," an experienced tea company with over 80 years of history, and repeatedly experimented with the president and craftsmen using a rare "brick kiln sand roasting machine," said to be one of only three in Japan. We pursued the perfect heat to bring out the deep sweetness inherent in the ingredients, creating a rich aroma that gently wafts to the nose.
■ [Co-creation] An "Agriculture x Welfare" Model Initiated by the Governor's X (formerly Twitter) Post
While considering label-sticking work, Representative Kobayashi saw a post by Governor Saito on X (formerly Twitter). From the URL listed there, she learned about "Hyogo Selp Center" and consulted with them. Through the center, collaboration began with the Type B employment support facility "JOT Work Lab Kobe." Impressed by their meticulous and uncompromising work, additional requests were made for the packaging process. The desire to "create together locally" took shape.
(Photo courtesy of JOT Work Lab Kobe)
~ About Ann Corporation ~
With the motto "Making the world warmer with anko," we are working to halt the decline in consumption of anko by younger generations and the decreasing self-sufficiency rate of domestic azuki beans. Our brand "hadzuki" is named after "azuki" beans and "Hazuki" (the eighth month of the lunar calendar), which is August, when its flowers bloom. We are promoting this project in response to the passionate desire of azuki farmers who want "more people to know about the native species, which are local treasures."
《Contact for inquiries regarding this press release》
[Company Name] Ann Corporation Co., Ltd. [HP]https://ann-co.jp/
[Address] 1006 one knot trades Kobe Building, 2-2-10 Isobe-dori, Chuo-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture