Kyoto Tachibana University students took the initiative in developing an original product called "Sudachi Ponzu" using the sudachi citrus fruits that grow on campus. As part of the "Tachibana Farm Project" that began in 2023, 16 students from the "Tachibana Student Public Relations Staff," who work to promote the university's appeal from a student perspective, participated. From harvesting the sudachi fruits to producing and promoting the product, they worked on creating an original product unique to the university.
At the Kyoto Tachibana University campus, a variety of fruits and vegetables, such as plums, sudachi citrus, quince, pomegranates, tachibana, and bamboo shoots, are in abundance when they are in season, and the fruits harvested each year are used in local community events, the Tachibana Oji Kindergarten, etc. The Tachibana Farm Project is working to develop original products, with the hope that students will develop an attachment to the campus where they will spend their university years.
The second edition, the 2 version of "Sudachi Ponzu," has been further improved based on the first year's recipe, with the proportion of soy sauce adjusted slightly higher to create a light-tasting "all-purpose seasoning" that can also be used as a dressing or seasoning.
The students set "increasing awareness of the product" as their goal, and set up a ponzu tasting corner at this year's university festival to offer samples to visitors. Based on the feedback received, the students came up with a menu using "Sudachi Ponzu." The menu was developed with the theme of "easy to make even for busy university students with their studies and part-time jobs," and is included in a leaflet distributed to those who purchase the product. In addition, they disseminated information on Instagram and other social media, and came up with a measure to make the product known to as many people as possible.
The completed 2024 version of "Sudachi Ponzu" will be on sale from December 2024, 12 at Tachibana Link on the first floor of Seifukan on campus, with a limited run of 24 bottles. The price is 1 yen including tax and anyone, including local residents, can purchase it. It is hoped that "Sudachi Ponzu," the culmination of the students' ideas and efforts, will serve as an opportunity for local interaction and lead to collaboration between students and fostering social awareness through the series of product developments.
Reference: [Kyoto Tachibana University] Tachibana Farm Project
