Cherry seeds to power 'healing pillows'

The Yomiuri Shimbun

HIGASHINE, Yamagata--A local tourism association in Yamagata Prefecture is trying to produce "healing pillows," that can be used for both warming and cooling, by recycling discarded cherry seeds.

The project is being carried out by the municipal tourism association in Higashine, which boasts the nation's largest cherry production. Cherry seeds, which have a hollow in the center, are suitable for retaining warmth and coolness.

An official of the association said: "As our cherry production is No. 1 in Japan, the amount of discarded cherry seeds is also tops in the nation. We'd like to popularize the pillows as Higashine's new specialty products."

Cherry seeds remain in large quantities after cherries are processed into beverages and jam. Previously, the seeds were disposed of as industrial waste.

The association focused attention on the use of cherry seeds for stuffing cushions to treat hypothermia in Belgium and other countries. Officials hope to market the pillows in cooperation with local cherry farmers and fruit processors.

The association made a trial product measuring 15 by 30 centimeters, using about 2,000 cherry seeds. When they put the pillow in a freezer for about 45 minutes, it kept its coolness for nearly two hours. Conversely, when warmed in a 700-watt microwave oven for three minutes, it retained warmth for about two hours.

Association officials said the hardness of the cherry seed shells gives them the heat insulating effect.

The association plans to create sample pillows in collaboration with a local design company and ask local people to provide feedback, aiming to start test sales in summer next year. The products are expected to be priced between 1,000 yen and 2,000 yen.

"I think recycling discarded cherry seeds meets the criteria of today's eco-friendly era," said association Secretary General Seiichiro Harada.