Sanbe Soba

The buckwheat grown at the foot of Mt. Sanbe is an heirloom variety registered as a geographic indication under Japan's Ministry of Agriculture. Smaller-seeded than cultivated strains, it produces a more intense, earthy flavor and can form noodles without wheat flour as a binder, giving a purer buckwheat taste. The volcanic soil and cool autumn nights around Mt. Sanbe are said to produce a notably sweet soba. In late September, the buckwheat fields bloom with white flowers across the western slopes. A small number of farms still grow the variety, and some locals continue to grind their own flour at home.