Hitomebore Rice from Oshu City Wins 'Special A' Rating in Taste Ranking for the 24th Time!
Hitomebore rice from Oshu City, Iwate, has once again received the highest 'Special A' rating in the rice taste ranking by the Japan Grain Inspection Association. This marks its 24th time receiving this top honor, reaffirming its high quality.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: March 31, 2026 at 19:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 1, 2026 at 13:39 (18h 39m after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 22, 2026 at 03:32 (493h 52m after Collected)
In the '54th Rice Taste Ranking 2026' announced annually by the Japan Grain Inspection Association, Hitomebore rice from the southern part of the prefecture, where Oshu City is located, won its 24th 'Special A' rating.
[Japan Grain Inspection Association HP] https://www.kokken.or.jp/index.html
[Oshu City Hometown Tax Special Site] https://www.city.oshu.iwate.jp/hurusato_tax/index.html
## About the Taste Ranking
The rice taste ranking is a system that evaluates rice based on its taste, conducted annually by the Japan Grain Inspection Association. This time, 144 varieties of rice from different production areas and cultivars across the country were evaluated. The evaluation method involves multiple expert judges who examine the rice's taste, aroma, and stickiness, and rate it on a five-point scale.
## About Oshu City's Hitomebore
Hitomebore has a moderate stickiness and softness, and is characterized by its well-defined grains when cooked. It has a good balance of sweetness and umami, and does not overpower any meal. Also, it does not harden easily when cooled and is less likely to become dry over time, making it suitable for bento boxes and rice balls, allowing you to enjoy its unchanging deliciousness even after some time has passed.
## The Secret to its Deliciousness and Why It's Called a Rice Granary
[Japan Grain Inspection Association HP] https://www.kokken.or.jp/index.html
[Oshu City Hometown Tax Special Site] https://www.city.oshu.iwate.jp/hurusato_tax/index.html
## About the Taste Ranking
The rice taste ranking is a system that evaluates rice based on its taste, conducted annually by the Japan Grain Inspection Association. This time, 144 varieties of rice from different production areas and cultivars across the country were evaluated. The evaluation method involves multiple expert judges who examine the rice's taste, aroma, and stickiness, and rate it on a five-point scale.
## About Oshu City's Hitomebore
Hitomebore has a moderate stickiness and softness, and is characterized by its well-defined grains when cooked. It has a good balance of sweetness and umami, and does not overpower any meal. Also, it does not harden easily when cooled and is less likely to become dry over time, making it suitable for bento boxes and rice balls, allowing you to enjoy its unchanging deliciousness even after some time has passed.
## The Secret to its Deliciousness and Why It's Called a Rice Granary