In the heart of Aomori Hirosaki City, where mountains touch the horizon, a tale of dedication, passion, and excellence unfolds at Gold Farm. Over three decades ago, a group of young men known as the “Seven Samurai” embarked on the ambitious journey of cultivating the wilderness at the foot of Mt. Iwaki. This marked the beginning of Gold Farm, a story deeply rooted in commitment and a quest to produce the finest apples in Japan.
The Seven Samurai, driven by their dream of growing the best apples, formed the Rainbow Society, symbolising their shared vision akin to seeking the beauty of a rainbow. Faced with the challenges of expanding farmland and introducing new varieties, they chose the wilderness at the foot of Mt. Iwaki as the first step of their journey. In 1965, Gold Farm was officially established, and they began the laborious task of transforming the untouched wilderness into a thriving apple orchard.
The journey was challenging, from clearing fields to cultivating apple seedlings. It took years for the apple trees to bear fruit, but the perseverance of the Seven Samurai prevailed. By 1975, Gold Farm apples were introduced to the world, however, their next challenge emerged, which was growing apples without using bags.
Back then, it was a common practice in Japan to cover apples with a bag as they grew. This was done to prevent pests from reaching the apples and to maintain their perfect appearance. However, the young men of Gold Farm questioned this conventional method of bagging apples during cultivation. They decided to grow apples under the sun, believing it would enhance their sweetness, a decision that their subsequent success validated. Cultivating bagless apples under the sun indeed enhances the flavors of the apples. Despite facing scepticism and challenges in convincing consumers, their persistent efforts gradually bore fruit. This led to the acceptance of unbagged apples in the market. Today, unbagged apples from Gold Farm have become mainstream, celebrated for their natural sweetness and delicious taste.
The actions of the Seven Samurai did not go unnoticed. In 1971, Gold Farm received the Asahi Agricultural Award, the highest honour in Japanese agriculture, earning them the title of the “Seven Samurai” and national acclaim. At the heart of Gold Farm’s success is its commitment to quality and sustainability. The village of Shimoyuguchi, where Gold Farm is located, has consistently won prestigious awards, affirming its status as a top production area for high-quality apples in Japan.
Amidst the lush fields of Gold Farm, the Toki Apple stands as a proof of patience, care, and meticulous cultivation. Named after the Japanese word for “time,” Toki Apples encapsulate the essence of seasons, influencing their flavour profile and texture. The Toki Apple is a prized fruit of the Gold Farm because it is a cross breed between the Fuji and Orin variety thus, giving it a unique flavour profile unlike the other apples.
Balanced Sweetness: Toki Apples has a perfect balance between sweetness and tartness, offering a delightful and satisfying flavour profile.
Crisp Texture: With a crisp texture, each bite into a Toki Apple is accompanied by an audible crunch, followed by a juicy and succulent interior.
Refreshing Juiciness: Experience refreshing juiciness with every bite, making Toki Apples an ideal snack for any occasion.
The Toki Apples from the Gold Farm are only ever harvested during the fall season as the cooler temperatures help preserve the apple’s quality throughout the harvesting and transportation. The fall harvest is not just a matter of convenience; it is also because during this season, the apples reach the peak of their condition, balancing the sweetness and tartness of the overall fruit. As a result, you can anticipate the highest quality from the Toki Apples that Secai Marche has imported for the limited period of November 2023 to December 2023!
