RARE GRAPE VARIETAL RESOURCE

Ryukyu ganebu (Vitis ficifolia Bunge var. Ganebu Hatusima) is a wild grape of the Ryukyu islands belonging to the group that includes the species of East Asia. Since ancient times it has grown spontaneously in the Ryukyu Islands and hence the origin of its name. The clusters consist of small berries with many seeds. Purple in color tending to blackish, it has a sour taste and a sugary quantity typical of mountain grapes. It is not very suitable for fresh consumption, it is used to produce wine, jams and marmalades, mustard, natural yeast and sweets. The leaves are used for infusions and herbal teas. In ancient times it was also used for dyes. It is said that in the past, in the absence of other gifts to bring to the Buddhist altar, there was the local custom of going to collect Ryukyu's ganebu from the mountains and offer it as a gift.

In Okinawa, most plants still grow wild along the coast, where grapes thrive in the sun and sea breeze. The excessive development of urbanization in recent decades has contributed to the progressive extinction of this variety. Currently four producers who have recovered the plant in Okinawa are growing it in the villages of Onna, Ginosa and Uruma. Harvesting is usually done no earlier than the end of August. The amount produced varies each year, mainly based on the impact of typhoons. The year in which the largest amount was collected was 2015, about 500 kg. Being a variety unsuitable for fresh consumption, it is not found in supermarkets or even in farmers' markets. It is usually sold directly by the producers as a processed product. One of them, in fact, produces wine.

(Courtesy of Slow Food Foundation for Biodiversity – Ark of Taste) https://www.fondazioneslowfood.com/en/ark-of-taste-slow-food/ganebu-ryukyu-wild-grape/