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Our original products feature locally sourced vegetables and fruits from Nagano Prefecture.
We value our connections with producers.
We are nurturing both our products and our people with the goal of creating delicious goods.
▶Learn more about Nagano Kouno◀
The delicious flavors of Shinshu fruits and vegetables in juice form.
Nagano Kouno is a food manufacturer established in 1964 as an agricultural product processing company in Nagano Prefecture. With JA (Japan Agricultural Cooperatives) as its parent organization, it has played a role in connecting producers and consumers by processing local agricultural products.
The company primarily manufactures vegetable and fruit beverages, offering products that utilize agricultural products from Nagano Prefecture, such as apples, tomatoes, peaches, and prunes. Under its own brand, "Grin a Grin," it sells juices and other beverages that emphasize the natural flavors of the ingredients. The "Shinshu Marugoto" series, which uses only ingredients from Nagano Prefecture, is one of its flagship product lines.
100% fruit juice made from fruits grown in Nagano Prefecture.
"Shinshu Marugoto Apple Juice" is a 100% straight juice made from apples grown in Nagano Prefecture. It's a long-selling product that has been on the market since 1991, allowing you to enjoy the natural aroma and rich sweetness of apples.
One of the fascinating aspects of apple juice is that the taste changes depending on the apple variety and harvest time. Nagano Prefecture is known as a region that produces a wide variety of apples, making it ideal for creating products that highlight the unique flavor of each variety.
In addition, the "Shinshu Marugoto" series also includes juices made from tomatoes and apples grown in Nagano Prefecture, as well as products made with prunes. The appeal lies in the fact that it suggests ways to enjoy drinks that combine agricultural products from Shinshu, not just single fruits.
A technique to bring out the deliciousness of apples without adding antioxidants.
When making apple juice, cutting or crushing the fruit exposes it to air, which can easily alter its color and flavor. Therefore, in common production methods, antioxidants such as vitamin C are sometimes used to prevent discoloration.
Nagano Kouno has developed a unique technology that minimizes contact with air during the apple crushing and juicing process, and has commercialized a method for producing apple juice without adding antioxidants. Their official website states that this is the first time this method has been commercialized in Japan.
This initiative prioritizes the natural taste and aroma of the ingredients, relying on processing techniques rather than additives to maintain quality. It's a technique that symbolizes Nagano Kouno's manufacturing philosophy, aiming to deliver the deliciousness of Nagano-grown apples as naturally as possible.
"Seasonal Pack Method" for squeezing fresh, in-season tomatoes
Nagano Kouno also incorporates unique techniques into its tomato juice. A prime example is the "season pack method," where tomatoes harvested during their peak season are juiced and then canned.
The tomatoes used as raw materials are produced through contract farming, and Nagano Kouno works with farmers to confirm planting locations and share information about cultivation. By processing the tomatoes while they are still fresh when they are ready for harvest, they are able to create juice that makes the most of the delicious flavor of the ingredients.
With "Shinshu Marugoto Tomato Juice," the unsalted type allows you to enjoy the original taste of tomatoes, while the type with added salt enhances the umami of the tomatoes through the saltiness.