Japanese Agricultural Heritage Certification Work has begun to store mandarin oranges from the warehouse. The scenery is unique to Shimotsu Town, Kainan City, Wakayama Prefecture, the birthplace of mandarin oranges.

Fujiwara Farm of Stored Mandarin Oranges
[Japanese Agricultural Heritage Certification] Work has begun to store mandarin oranges from the warehouse. The scenery is unique to Shimotsu Town, Kainan City, Wakayama Prefecture, the birthplace of mandarin oranges.
The stored mandarin oranges will be aged for over a month before being delivered to all over the country in the new year.
……
Kuradashi Mikan Fujiwara Farm (Shimotsu Town, Kainan City, Wakayama Prefecture/Corporate website: https://kuradashimikan.com/

By aging the mandarin oranges in a warehouse, we produce mandarin oranges with a rich, rich flavor and a mellow taste. It has a history of over 400 years in Shimotsu Town, Kainan City, Wakayama Prefecture, and was recognized as a Japanese Agricultural Heritage Site in 2019. The work to store the mandarin oranges from the warehouse has finally begun in earnest.
Process of warehousing
1. Harvesting mandarin oranges
[Image 2

Stored mandarin oranges are stored for over a month before being shipped, so each mandarin orange is carefully harvested one by one to avoid damaging the mandarin oranges.
2. Harvested mandarin oranges to storehouse
[Image 3

The harvested mandarin oranges are transported to a storehouse inside the field. Over 2 tons (that is, over 20,000 oranges) are harvested every day and transported to the warehouse.
3. Preparatory measures inside the warehouse
[Image 4

Immediately after harvesting, mandarin oranges are placed under slightly dry conditions (70 to 80% humidity) for about 1 to 2 weeks to evaporate the moisture in the fruit skin. This is called a
precautionary measure, and this process prevents spoilage and flaking during storage.
4. Boxing
[Image 5

After taking precautions, the oranges are placed in a wooden box. At this time, carefully place the oranges in the box while checking to see if there are any damaged oranges.
5, storage
[Image 6

The wooden boxes containing mandarin oranges are carefully stacked one by one, and when the storehouse is filled with mandarin oranges, the storage period begins.
What storage environment is suitable for oranges?
The ideal environment for storing mandarin oranges is a temperature of 5 to 8 degrees and a humidity of 85%. The temperature in Wakayama Prefecture during the storage period from December to February is naturally suitable for storage, and by filling the warehouse with mandarin oranges, the humidity can be raised to approximately 85%. [Image 7

This is a storage method that has been passed down since ancient times and takes advantage of nature, without using any air conditioning, heating, or humidifiers.
The secret of a brewery that takes advantage of nature
There is also a secret to maintaining temperature and humidity in the warehouses where they are stored.
[Image 8

Features of the storehouse 1. Wooden architecture
[Image 9

The storehouse for storehoused mandarin oranges is a wooden structure. The pillars, beams, doors, etc. are all made of wood.
Unlike iron and other materials, wood absorbs moisture when the humidity is high and releases moisture when the humidity is low, so it has the ability to maintain a certain level of humidity.
Features of the storehouse 2, earthen walls
[Image 10

Earthen walls are used for the walls of the storage room. Since the main material of earthen walls is soil, they have a high insulation effect and maintain a constant temperature inside the refrigerator. It also has a humidity control effect, absorbing moisture when the indoor humidity rises and releasing accumulated moisture when the room dries. Kura Feature 3: Ventilation windows
[Image 11

The storage room has a ventilation window and an underground air intake, and is structured so that the amount of ventilation can be adjusted by opening and closing the intake and exhaust ports. Temperature and humidity control is essential for storage. The temperature and humidity of the storage room are adjusted by opening and closing this window.
Many of the materials used for the storehouses, such as wood and soil, are sourced from this mountain, making them traditional storehouses that were built by people in the past using local materials. For more information on storage, please click here.
[The mechanism of storage of stored mandarin oranges is revealed! ] https://kuradashimikan.com/blog/storage/
Scenery of Shimotsu Town, Kainan City, Wakayama Prefecture at the end of the year
At the end of the year, at Mikanyama in Shimotsu Town, the harvest is harvested when the sun is out, and then packed in boxes at the warehouse after sunset.
Therefore, at night, the storehouse lights are illuminated under the starry night sky.
[Image 12

Sceneries like this are scattered all over Mt. Mikan. The atmosphere is unique to the tangerine season.
When is the shipping time for storehoused mandarin oranges?
The oranges stored in the warehouse at the end of the year are shipped from January to March of the new year.
[Image 13