けがれ無き水で育った神の庭の米　長峰産上神谷米（にわだにまい）

堺のご当地米として、おいしいとの評判が浸透しつつある『上神谷米（にわだにまい）』。上神谷は、地域に由緒ある桜井神社があり、女人高野・天野山金剛寺から続く緑なす山麓に抱かれた神さびた地。上神谷米には、そんな大地の力が、ぎゅっと一粒一粒に込められています。

『上神谷米』の名付け親でもある「水土里ネット大正池」の足立裕さんは、上神谷が特別に美味しい理由を教えてくださいました。
「上神谷は川の最上流にあり、汚れた排水が入ってきません。大正池も山池で、雨水などきれいな水で育っているから上神谷米は美味しいのです」
特に上神谷でも長峰地区は、太古の海底が隆起してできた粘土層で鉄分もたっぷり。『長峰産　上神谷米』として長峰営農組合が販売しています。

実は上神谷はかつての米所。江戸から昭和初期までは、上神谷のお米と大浜の水で作った堺のお酒は海を越え北海道や外国まで売られていましたが、工業化とともに廃れたのです。それが今、大阪の気候にぴったりの新しい品種『ヒノヒカリ』を、恵まれた水と土で育て『上神谷米』として復活したのです。
販売は上神谷地区のお米屋さんや『ハーベストの丘』など。まだまだ限られた田んぼで収穫量も多くない貴重な上神谷米ですから、新米の時期になればすぐに手に入れてください。

Rice from the “Garden of God” grown in pure natural water Niwadani-mai produced in Nagamine Area

As a local product of Sakai, it is becoming more popular among the people in Sakai that Niwadani mai is so delicious. Niwadani is an awe-inspiring region surrounded by a series of mountain – which includes 女人荒野・天野山金剛寺– and has historical Sakurai shrine.
Thanks to this splendid location, something powerful from the land is concentrated on the rice, Niwadani-mai.It is becoming more popular among the people in Sakai as a local Sakai products that Niwadani mai is so delicious.
Hiroshi Adachi, a member of Mizudori Net Taisho ike, who named [Niwadani-mai] told us the reason why Niwadani –mai is so delicious.Because Niwadani is located in the upstream of the river, there doesn’t see polluted water. And such water from the river and pond cultivate Niwadani-mai so delicious.
Especially Nagamine area in Niwadani is the land having an ancient seabed which contains abundant dietary iron. [Niwadani-mai produced in Nagamine Area] can be purchased from Nagamine agriculture association.
Although Niwadani used to be famous for rice producing region and from Edo period to arly Showa “Sake” made from rice of Niwadani and water of Ohama was sold in Hokkaido or even in foreign countries, it has gone out due to industrialization. However, a new rice cultivar [Hinohikari] which matches the climate of Osaka has been developed under the excellent environment and produced as Niwadani mai.

[Niwadani mai] can be purchased at the rice shop in [Niwadani area] or [Harvest no oka]. However, especially at the new rice season, it is recommended to get it earlier because it is being produced in a very limited rice field.

長峰営農組合
住所	〒590-0121 大阪府堺市南区片蔵1570
TEL	072-299-3888

Related Link

& Rice