Abstract
The effect on taste characteristics of a rice field environment colonized by the mud snail was investigated. Six areas of a field in Iiyama-shi (Nagano) supported by two water systems and known to produce koshihikari rice with a fine flavor were selected for the investigation. The rice field environment was found to be suitable as a mud snail habitat after investigating the soil, water and residual agricultural chemicals. The rice quality was evaluated for individual grains, milled properties, cooking properties, stickiness and overall palatability. The results when compared with koshihikari rice from other fields not hosting the mud snail showed the superior taste quality of the rice samples.
