Usa City's rare Kuromaru edamame hits peak season in October

Oita Prefecture's Usa City, the top edamame producer in the prefecture, is entering peak season for its rare "Kuromaru" variety, available only from early to late October. Kuromaru, a local specialty brand, is distinguished by its unique aroma and sweetness derived from black soybeans. This year, local growers established a production committee to share information and stabilize yields, aiming to boost the city's reputation. The edamame are hand-sorted and cleaned at a selection facility before shipment to markets in Oita, Fukuoka, and Kitakyushu. The sweet "Suzudaruma" variety is also harvested, and officials encourage consumers to enjoy Usa's edamame plain, in salads, or grilled.