Moriya Farm

Rubeshibe White flower bean Club

Moriya Hiromi

In the language of flowers, it is “The Visit of Joy” Visit here to enjoy the best white flower beans in Japan

Moriya Farm

Rubeshibe White flower bean Club​

Moriya Hiromi​

In the language of flowers, it is “The Visit of Joy” Visit here to enjoy the best white flower beans in Japan

Kitami, known as Japan’s largest onion producing city

Also has the largest production of white flower beans

Rubeshibe is at the center of the production

Here, farmers are passionate about growing the beans

about creating beautiful landscapes

about producing cuisine

about broadcasting its attractions

 

White flower beans are called the queen of beans

Behind the scenes of the production

Lies the big, beautiful hearts of the bean farmers

How the production of white flower beans started in Rubeshibe

It is said that the production of white flower beans in Rubeshibe began to spread during my grandfather’s generation.

I’ve heard that because most of the soil at the riverside was unsuitable for agriculture, my grandfather had to think up crops that would be suitable to grow that could generate income. In the end, he happened upon the idea of planting white flower beans. 

White flower bean have vines that grow to great lengths. Using bamboos for support, the vines wind up as they grow. In the past, bamboos were readily accessible here. Instead, he cut willow branches from Mukagawa and with great effort made supports out of them.

Farming white flower beans requires great care. It is still difficult to adapt to mechanization today. Luckily white flower beans are relatively expensive when compared to other common beans. Gradually, bean farming has become more widespread in this area.

How the production of white flower beans started in Rubeshibe

It is said that the production of white flower beans in Rubeshibe began to spread during my grandfather’s generation.

I’ve heard that because most of the soil at the riverside was unsuitable for agriculture, my grandfather had to think up crops that would be suitable to grow that could generate income. In the end, he happened upon the idea of planting white flower beans. 

White flower bean have vines that grow to great lengths. Using bamboos for support, the vines wind up as they grow. In the past, bamboos were readily accessible here. Instead, he cut willow branches from Mukagawa and with great effort made supports out of them.

Farming white flower beans requires great care. It is still difficult to adapt to mechanization today. Luckily white flower beans are relatively expensive when compared to other common beans. Gradually, bean farming has become more widespread in this area.

Characteristics of White flower beans

White flower beans are known as the queen of beans. A pure white bean is very big, has a natural sweet flavor and is very filling. To enjoy the best flavor that the beans have to offer, I recommend that people eat the beans without grounding them. They’re quite big, so about 3 to 5 are already enough to satisfy.

Everyone knows that beans are healthy food. White flower beans also have high nutrition values – high water-soluble dietary fiber, high protein, rich in iron and potassium. They are very healthy beans.

Characteristics of White flower beans

White flower beans are known as the queen of beans. A pure white bean is very big, has a natural sweet flavor and is very filling. To enjoy the best flavor that the beans have to offer, I recommend that people eat the beans without grounding them. They’re quite big, so about 3 to 5 are already enough to satisfy.

Everyone knows that beans are healthy food. White flower beans also have high nutrition values – high water-soluble dietary fiber, high protein, rich in iron and potassium. They are very healthy beans.

Since we painstakingly grow these beautiful and delicious beans, we do recommend you enjoy them whole. But at some restaurants, chefs sometimes create special dishes with them. They peel of the skin carefully and make the beans in to a paste, which is also have great flavor.

Farmers like me need keep out strength up, so we usually just cook sweetened beans. I also recommend salty bean dishes. The beans are good for ahijo, pickles or salad. Fried beans with salty seaweed or Glassé…I cannot decide which one is the best.

Since we painstakingly grow these beautiful and delicious beans, we do recommend you enjoy them whole. But at some restaurants, chefs sometimes create special dishes with them. They peel of the skin carefully and make the beans in to a paste, which is also have great flavor.

Farmers like me need keep out strength up, so we usually just cook sweetened beans. I also recommend salty bean dishes. The beans are good for ahijo, pickles or salad. Fried beans with salty seaweed or Glassé…I cannot decide which one is the best.

Care and thought – Hidden in Beauty

 The beans themselves are beautiful, but during cultivation, the sight of the vines that have wrapped around the bamboo blooming flowers really creates a stunning landscape.
These beautiful beans require a lot of care. When I first started, building supports was too tough for me, so I put straws in water to tighten the bamboos. Vines do not coil naturally around the supports so when the wind blows, they fall down to the ground. To prevent that happening, the vines are taped to the supports. Because vines on the ground can rot, we have to always work carefully. Working while half crouched is tough work.
While materials and tools have changed over time, time-consuming manual work remains the same. Ensuring there is enough manpower is still tough, because mechanization hasn’t advanced much for this method of farming as it has with others.

Care and thought – Hidden in Beauty

The beans themselves are beautiful, but during cultivation, the sight of the vines that have wrapped around the bamboo blooming flowers really creates a stunning landscape.
These beautiful beans require a lot of care. When I first started, building supports was too tough for me, so I put straws in water to tighten the bamboos. Vines do not coil naturally around the supports so when the wind blows, they fall down to the ground. To prevent that happening, the vines are taped to the supports. Because vines on the ground can rot, we have to always work carefully. Working while half crouched is tough work.
While materials and tools have changed over time, time-consuming manual work remains the same. Ensuring there is enough manpower is still tough, because mechanization hasn’t advanced much for this method of farming as it has with others.

Efforts of the Rubeshibe White flower bean Club

The Rubeshibe White flower bean Club was founded in 1999. Our mission is to support local agriculture and to protect white flower bean agriculture, which has become a major production crop in this area. We also aim to revitalize our region, working with mainly producers as well as candy shops, restaurants, chambers of commerce and hot spring inns. 

For four years, we have had a variety of activities: opening a Marche, participating in events, holding concerts and observation sessions of white flower beans.

At the observation sessions, we talk about cultivation methods in a field of flowers, and then enjoy food, like pickles, soup, mousse. We have received favorable reviews from participants who come from both inside and outside our city.

When you come to Onneyu hot spring, please visit Yama no Aquarium, see the white flower bean fields, take the hot springs and enjoy dishes made with white flower beans.

In the language of flowers, white flower beans mean “The Visit of Joy.” So please, come to Kitami, enjoy white flower beans and have a great time.

Efforts of the Rubeshibe White flower bean Club

The Rubeshibe White flower bean Club was founded in 1999. Our mission is to support local agriculture and to protect white flower bean agriculture, which has become a major production crop in this area. We also aim to revitalize our region, working with mainly producers as well as candy shops, restaurants, chambers of commerce and hot spring inns. 

For four years, we have had a variety of activities: opening a Marche, participating in events, holding concerts and observation sessions of white flower beans.

At the observation sessions, we talk about cultivation methods in a field of flowers, and then enjoy food, like pickles, soup, mousse. We have received favorable reviews from participants who come from both inside and outside our city.

When you come to Onneyu hot spring, please visit Yama no Aquarium, see the white flower bean fields, take the hot springs and enjoy dishes made with white flower beans.

In the language of flowers, white flower beans mean “The Visit of Joy.” So please, come to Kitami, enjoy white flower beans and have a great time.