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Hokkaido farming co-operative launches limited-edition tomato craft gin

Hokkaido's JA Naganuma has released a limited edition of its tomato craft gin "vegin tomato", made with local tomatoes, in a joint project with a pro ice hockey team.

The Sake Wire desk · Amsterdam
Image of ripe tomatoes and a glass of gin being poured
Image of ripe tomatoes and a glass of gin being poured — Photo: Timur Weber (Pexels)

Naganuma, in Hokkaido, is an agricultural town close to Sapporo. The town’s farming co-operative, JA Naganuma, has released a limited edition of “vegin tomato”, a craft gin made with locally grown tomatoes. The project was a joint effort with the professional ice hockey team Red Eagles Hokkaido. The Nihon Nogyo Shimbun, a Japanese agricultural newspaper, reported the news on 6 October.

A tomato gin from a farming co-operative

Image of ripe tomatoes grown in Hokkaido farming areas such as Naganuma
Image of ripe tomatoes grown in Hokkaido farming areas such as Naganuma — Photo: Brands&People (Unsplash)

JA is the name for the agricultural co-operatives found across Japan. As well as collecting and shipping produce from farmers, they sell farming supplies and more. Gin is a spirit flavoured with a range of botanicals, centred on juniper berries. Using a vegetable such as the tomato rather than a fruit would be an unusual combination even for gin lovers in Europe. The fact that a co-operative is making a spirit from the main crop of its own area also reflects the current state of Japanese craft drinks.

A limited edition overseen by an ice hockey player

Image of an indoor rink where professional ice hockey matches are played
Image of an indoor rink where professional ice hockey matches are played — Photo: Tima Miroshnichenko (Pexels)

The full name of this release is “vegin tomato Red Eagles Hokkaido ver.” The aroma, flavour and label design were overseen by team player Toi Kobayashi. It is said to be a special version that makes the most of the fresh flavour of the tomato, while keeping the drinking experience clean and giving the finish more depth. Each bottle holds 500 millilitres, and the price is an open price set by the retailer. Part of the proceeds will be donated to the team.

Last season, Red Eagles Hokkaido won two titles: the All Japan Championship and the Asia League. This season is the team’s 100th anniversary, and they are aiming to defend both titles. JA Naganuma has been an official partner of the team since last season.

Ways to enjoy it in Europe

A gin highball topped up with tonic. Vegetable-based gins can taste quite different depending on how they are mixed
A gin highball topped up with tonic. Vegetable-based gins can taste quite different depending on how they are mixed — Photo: picjumbo.com (Pexels)

At present there is no information that this limited edition will be sold in Europe. Even so, across Japan craft gins are appearing that use local farm produce such as rice, citrus fruit and vegetables for flavouring. If you spot a Japanese gin in a specialist shop, try checking the ingredients and the producer named on the label. You should be able to see the link with the local farming. Some say that with a vegetable-based gin such as one made with tomatoes, mixing with tonic makes the aroma easier to appreciate. There are also examples of using it in a gin-based Bloody Mary, known as a “Red Snapper”, and comparing how it pairs with the tomato it is made from is another way to enjoy it.

Sources

This article was written by The Sake Wire editorial team, summarising the public sources listed above. Images are our own.

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