Okayama White Peaches

**Grading and pricing:** White peaches are graded rigorously by size, shape, sugar content, and blemish-free skin. Premium grade (特秀, tokushu) features flawless appearance and 13%+ sugar — these are gift-quality fruits sold in decorative boxes (¥8,000–15,000 per box of 4–6 peaches). Standard grade (秀, shu) is 90% as good for 40% of the price (¥800–1,500 each) — ideal for personal consumption. Lower grades (訳あり, wake-ari, 'with reasons') have cosmetic imperfections but identical taste (¥400–600 each). For eating, prioritize ripeness over appearance — peaches should yield slightly to gentle pressure and emit sweet fragrance. **Fruit parlor experience:** Okayama's fruit parlors (フルーツパーラー) serve elaborate parfaits showcasing seasonal white peaches — layers of fresh peach slices, peach sorbet, mascarpone cream, and jelly, often garnished with edible flowers. Portions are generous (2–3 peaches per parfait). Kuma Fruitier (桃茶屋), near Omotechodō Arcade, is the most acclaimed — their White Peach Parfait (¥3,500, July–August only) uses Shimizu Hakuto exclusively. Reservations recommended for lunch/afternoon (11:00–15:00 peak). Alternatively, Tenmaya Department Store's rooftop fruit parlor offers similar quality with better availability. **U-pick farms:** Fruit-picking farms (果樹園, kajuen) around Okayama city offer all-you-can-eat white peach experiences (¥2,000–3,000, 40-minute sessions, July–August). Okayama Fruit Farm (岡山フルーツ農園) and Hayashiya Fruit Farm (林屋果樹園) are accessible by car (30 minutes from central Okayama). Picking requires delicate handling — farmers provide baskets and instructions. This offers the freshest possible peaches, picked at perfect ripeness, though fruit-to-go is limited or requires additional purchase.