kanamilk
As the last existing ranch in the 23 wards of Tokyo, Koizumi Ranch has been a topic of discussion in newspapers and on the radio. For a detailed explanation of this place, please refer to the review by Osumo3. Located about 5 minutes north of Oizumi Gakuen Station on the Seibu Ikebukuro Line. Cross a small bridge over a stream, turn right, and you'll start to catch a faint scent of the ranch. In a place surrounded by residential homes, you might wonder if there's really a ranch here. But modestly tucked away, Koizumi Ranch exists. Next to the parking lot, you'll see a few tables where families visiting the ranch are chatting. They have around 40 dairy cows, and the milk extracted here is used as raw material for dairy products. Across the road from the ranch, there is a prefab shop selling ice milk made from their milk. "It would be nice if we could sell milk directly, but the regulations are strict, so it's not possible," said the second-generation owner, Koizumi Koshichi, who sold us the ice cream at the shop. When asked if we came all the way to buy it, we mentioned we cycled about 20 minutes to get there, and he politely thanked us. Of course, when you take it home, they pack it in a cooler bag with ice packs. About 10 years ago, they faced many complaints from the neighborhood due to the smell of the cows, but things have gradually changed since the 21st century. Now, the ranch is seen as a live teaching material for environmental education in the community, attracting many visitors. "Many people come here today," said the second-generation owner. It turns out, some of the families we saw chatting at the tables earlier were those visitors. Of course, they must have faced many challenges in the past, and even now, measures like odor control and disease prevention for the cows are quite challenging. But I truly respect their efforts to be recognized by the community and to receive support. Now, about the "ice milk" they sell here. With a milk fat content of 3.4% and non-fat milk solids of 8.4%, it doesn't qualify as "ice cream." They offer six flavors: fresh milk, matcha, cocoa, milk tea, cream cheese, and chocolate chip, all priced at 300 yen each. These are made by Mr. Hiroki Oki in Momokusa, Hino City, using their milk. If you order at the shop, they can also deliver to other regions by courier. As the sign at the shop says "gelato," the flavors are light and refreshing. The fresh milk ice cream truly tastes like "fresh milk." The cocoa flavor adds richness, while the milk tea flavor has a full-bodied taste. All of them have a smooth texture, light sweetness, and melt in your mouth with a clean aftertaste. In hot weather, you could easily eat two or three at once. Personally, I think the "fresh milk" flavor is the best. This would surely be appreciated as a gift for a family with children. This was a great find, thanks to Osumo3's review. This marks my 100th review. I chose this place to highlight their dedication to preserving the last ranch in the 23 wards. I sincerely thank all the readers and visitors who have supported me so far. I look forward to your continued support. m(__)m