This year, the utilization of the "Yukimuro" (snow-storage room) will officially begin!
At Nagaoka University of Science and Technology's COI-NEXT Center, we are engaged in various research activities with the vision of building a fully resource-circulating bio-community in Niigata, the ”land of rice.” We would like to introduce one of these initiatives.
Nagaoka University of Technology is located in Nagaoka City, Niigata Prefecture, Japan.
Nagaoka City, Niigata Prefecture, where our university is located, is one of Japan's heaviest snowfall areas. In such an environment, "snow" is a nuisance to residents and sometimes a major challenge that threatens safety and security. On the other hand, viewed from a different perspective, it is also a valuable unused resource unique to heavy snowfall regions, with the potential for effective utilization.
Therefore, we have established a "snow room" within our university's facilities and are researching its use for rice storage.
Why "Yukimuro" instead of a refrigerator?
While electric refrigerators are commonly used for rice storage, they tend to be dry, leading to a loss of moisture in the rice and a decline in its taste. On the other hand, a snow room can stably maintain a low temperature and extremely high humidity. This "high humidity" is the key to preventing rice from drying out and maintaining its fresh, juicy quality for extended periods.
Snow stacking operations will be carried out for future storage.
Now that the rice harvest season is over, the "Yukimuro" (snow room) storage is truly entering its prime. To maximize the cooling capacity of the snow room and prepare it perfectly for the next storage season, we have completed the process of bringing in and replenishing the snow.
How will this initiative, which leverages the unique wisdom of snowy regions without over-relying on electricity, bring about wonderful effects on the quality of rice?
We will scientifically prove the potential of snow room storage through data analysis and taste evaluation.
Please pay close attention to future developments.
