Aiea's fresh water springs are behind the success of Sumida Farms. The state's largest watercress farm produces about 75 percent of the watercress grown in Hawaii. David Sumida's grandparents started the farm nearly 80 years ago. It avoided becoming part of the Pearlridge Mall.

"They like to look at the farm as they're driving by on Kam Hwy and most people thank us for being here," said Sumida.

Business is good with peppery flavored watercress popular in many local dishes.

"You can make soups. You can stir fry and put it in salads. So there's a lot you can do with it," said Sumida.

Sumida says it was originally brought in from China, but they now grow a Florida variety of watercress.

"It's a hybrid and it's resistant to some of viruses here in Hawaii. it grows better, tastes better."

Watercress enjoys sun, but grow best in cooler winter temperatures. And though it thrives in water, too much can kill it.

"Last year, during the 40 days of rain, we got flooded two times and lost about $ 66,000 worth of crop, because the lower 1/3 of the field went underwater," said Sumida.

To harvest watercress...the plant is gathered up in long strands and cut with a sicle.
Rake out the leaves. Twist on a tie with the Sumida Farm name. One more cut and voila, fresh watercress from Sumida Farm.

The watercress is then rinsed in cold spring water at the bath house and vacuum cooled in a special machine to increase it's shelf life to about a week.

Five days a week the workers here at Sumida Farm harvest the patches producing about 5 tons that'll head to market. And they leave behind uncut watercress thatll be used to replant the patch.

Those cuttings are laid over the harvested field and the growing starts all over again.

You space them out, you don't have to put alot, but enough to ensure that you have an 8 week crop," said Sumida.

Sumida Farm offers tours to members of the public and local school groups. For more information contact David Sumida at Sumida Farm.

Sumida Farm, Inc:
98-160 Kamehameha Hwy.
Aiea, Hawaii 96701
(808) 488-4517

Related Links:

http://www.recipezaar.com/recipes.php?q=watercress+ - For Watercress Recipes

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