夕張メロンの果汁を加工する際に産業廃棄物となる未利用部分を有効に活用し、夕張メロンの新たな魅力を出せるような商品にしたいと考えていました。その商品を手にした方々が、その商品をきっかけに夕張メロンにも関心を寄せ、旬を迎える初夏には夕張メロンを味わっていただく。そして、旬を過ぎた後にも「来年も食べたい」と思ってくださる。そのような循環が生まれれば、未利用部分の有効活用にとどまらず、生産者として大きな喜びになります。一方で、夕張メロンが持つイメージや価値を損なうことはないだろうかという不安もありました。それでも、夕張メロンの品格を守りながら、新たな価値を与えてくれると信じ、商品化までを見守り続けました。

We have always wanted to make effective use of the scraps of Yubari Melons that were, in the past, discarded as industrial waste after extracting their juice, and to create products that show the fruit in a completely new and appealing light. If we can encourage people who select these products to learn about Yubari Melons, take an interest in them, savor their exceptional taste not only during the peak season in early summer, but also benefit from them after the peak season ends, and want to enjoy them again the following year…a positive cycle such as this would lead not only to making more effective use of the entire fruit, but also to bringing tremendous joy and satisfaction to us as producers.
We were, however, initially concerned that these ventures might dilute the image and value of the Yubari Melon brand. Still, we held on to our belief that these new products
would add more value while preserving the integrity of the Yubari Melon brand, and continued to support the process up to commercialization.

夕張の至宝を、美しさの源へ。
山々に抱かれ、昼夜の寒暖差が大きい夕張の気候が育んだ、地理的表示（GI）保護制度の初回登録産品の一つ＜夕張メロン＞。高いブランド価値を誇る夕張メロン取り扱うにあたっては、その品格と価値を守ることを何より大切にしました。そのうえで、未利用だった種子を資源に変え、美しさを育む上質な化粧品原料へと仕立てました。メロンの種子からは良質な植物油を、搾油後の残渣は、滑らかでシルキータッチなスキンケアパウダーに。ITRIMのブランドコンセプト成分として配合されています。

Transforming the treasure of Yubari into a source of beauty…
Yubari Melons, fostered by the climate of Yubari, which is located in a mountainous region with sharp day–night temperature differences, was one of the first products to be
registered under Japan’s Geographical Indication (GI) Protection System. In handling this fruit, which has a high brand value, we focused chiefly on protecting its integrity and
value. We then transformed its seeds, which were not used and discarded as waste, into a resource, and turned them into a high-quality cosmetic ingredient that helps to nurture
beauty. From Yubari Melon seeds, we create fine-quality botanical oil, while the residue remaining after oil extraction is turned into a silky-smooth skincare powder. These key ingredients embody ITRIM’s brand concept.