KOBE — Tomato vending machines at a commercial facility and a train station in this west Japan city have become so popular that people apparently line up for the fresh products refilled three times a week.
The “Kobe Sweets Tomato” variety is grown at Rokko Farm in the city’s Kita Ward. The vending machines are set up at Kobe Electric Railway Co.’s Suzurandai Station in Kita Ward and the BB Plaza shopping mall in the city’s Nada Ward.
Behind these popular tomatoes is Nada Ward-based Shimabun Corp., which recycles iron scrap and processes steel stock. The company entered the tomato cultivation business in 2018. By inviting an agricultural consultant from Shimane Prefecture in western Japan, it has made strong efforts to create tomatoes that have a high sugar content.
“We’ve learned to grow sweet tomatoes by trial and error. We want as many people as possible to eat them.”
“We’ve learned to grow sweet tomatoes by trial and error. We want as many people as possible to eat them.”
Masaki Sakata (Shimabun Corp.’s company representative)
Interesting fact about Tomatoes:
Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that gives tomatoes their red color and has been linked to reducing the risk of cancer and heart disease. Interestingly, the bioavailability of lycopene increases with cooking, making processed tomato products like sauce and paste potentially more beneficial in this regard than raw tomatoes.
Tomatoes also have a rich history, originating from the Andes region of South America, and were initially cultivated by the Aztecs and Incas. After being introduced to Europe by Spanish explorers in the early 16th century, tomatoes gradually spread across the globe, becoming integral to various cuisines worldwide due to their versatility and flavor-enhancing qualities.