Hokuto and Nanae spinach is a locally grown vegetable from the southern Hokkaido area around Hakodate. It is shipped to markets throughout Japan throughout the year, but its character changes noticeably between summer and winter, offering visitors two different ways to enjoy this Hokkaido-grown vegetable.
Spinach is naturally sensitive to high temperatures. During the summer months of June through August, spinach production in many parts of Japan outside Hokkaido tends to decline because of the heat. As a result, spinach grown in Hokkaido accounts for a particularly large share of the nationwide supply during this period.
The cooler climate of southern Hokkaido provides favorable growing conditions even when other regions are struggling with summer heat. This makes locally grown spinach an important seasonal agricultural product for the area.
In recent years, chijimi spinach has also become popular. This distinctive winter variety is intentionally grown while exposed to the cold winter winds.
By subjecting the spinach to low-temperature stress, the leaves grow thicker and develop a more pronounced natural sweetness. The result is spinach with a substantial texture and a richer flavor than ordinary spinach.
One of the pleasures of Hokuto and Nanae spinach is the opportunity to experience how the same vegetable changes with the seasons. Summer spinach offers the freshness of Hokkaido’s growing season, while winter-grown chijimi spinach is especially appealing for its thick leaves and concentrated sweetness.
If you visit the Hakodate area during winter, be sure to look for chijimi spinach and enjoy one of the distinctive seasonal flavors of southern Hokkaido.