🍱 Natsu-mikan gashi (Summer Mandarin Orange candy)

Each prefecture selects a prefectural flower that best represents the region. For Yamaguchi Prefecture, the native Summer Mandarin Orange from Ohibi in Nagato City was chosen. The Summer Mandarin Orange blooms fragrant white flowers in May, followed by yellow fruits known as "daidai," which are not only loved for their appearance but are also consumed as food. Particularly in Hagi City, harvesting takes place in early May, and souvenirs processed into jelly, juice, jam, and more are sold. Summer Mandarin Oranges were introduced to Hagi in the early years of the Bunka era (1804–1818) and were initially used as a substitute for yuzu. Hagi was a flourishing castle town at the center of political and economic activities for the Choshu Domain. However, when the domain's headquarters moved from Hagi to Yamaguchi in 1863, the townspeople of Hagi faced economic hardships. To alleviate the situation, Kobata Takamasa, who held key positions in the new government, stepped forward. He sowed Summer Mandarin Orange seeds in the abandoned samurai residences and distributed saplings to the samurai, leading to the widespread cultivation of Summer Mandarin Orange orchards throughout the town and establishing it as a local specialty. In Hagi, the tree that bears both new and old fruits is called "daidai," and this is how "daidai kashi" treats the peel of Summer Mandarin Oranges as a precious ingredient. During times when sweet treats were scarce, these snacks were highly valued and continue to be made in many households today.