A domestically grown banana with an edible peel has been introduced to the market after nearly 40 years of trial and error. The Tomoiki Banana went on sale at the end of March and is being marketed as a luxury treat. Five bananas currently cost over ¥4,000. The developers have devised a technique to strengthen the immunity of the bananas and increase resistance to cold weather. Their methods can be used to cultivate the fruit in regions that are not tropical and ensure that the banana peel does not have a strong, bitter taste. A venture company was set up in Kitakyushu last December to help develop the business. The cultivation process takes place at a farm located in Minamikyushu City, Kagoshima Prefecture. Source: Sankei Shimbun, 4/18/2018
Photo: Kami Banana
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