The Japanese are renowned for being perfectionists, taking meticulous pride in everything they do. When it comes to food, Japan leads the way, never compromising on quality or freshness for the benefit of the consumer.
It is all
aboutrespect.
This respect starts right at the beginning – on the farms, at the fisheries, at the tea and rice plantations and the brewery too. A respect for time honored traditions and the people that honed and developed them. The pride taken at every step is inspiring.
Some things are meant to evolve and develop using new techniques and technology, and some things simply aren’t. The Japanese seem to know just what is required, and when to produce some of the best ingredients available. When I think of the perfect beef – the wonderful melting fat bursting with flavor – I think of Japanese Wagyu. The same goes for green tea, rice, sake and Japanese Seafood. They are all products that are supreme in quality and synonymous with Japan. They are a true reflection of the respect that is ingrained within their culture.
Japanese Wagyu beef has a reputation for being one of the best beef in the world, for very good reasons too. Seeing the farmer’s eyes light up when he spoke about his cattle on his farm in Kyushu, south of Japan, goes to show just how much respect they have for, not only the cows but the way they rear them.
The feed is organic oats and a combination of 10 different grains and minerals, which I tried, and it tasted good! You are what you eat after all. The meat is marbled to an extent that is impossible to describe - you have to see and taste it to believe it! And, once lightly grilled for barely a minute and simply seasoned, it quite literally melts in your mouth.
Japanese rice is possibly one of the most tasty, delicious rice we can find in Europe and the United States.
Rice is the cornerstone staple for many countries, and Japan is certainly one of them. Japanese rice is possibly one of the most tasty and delicious in the world.
The Japanese have multiple ways of serving it ranging from a simple accompanim
ent to a curry or seasoning it with vinegar for Sushi, to shaping and garnishing with fermented plums for Onigiri. Each way is special in its own right, with rice being the foundation for a nourishing and tasty meal.
Learning how to make sushi was so interesting, but the simplicity of the onigiri is what really captured me. It's the perfect lunch box staple; it’s easy to transport and tastes just great. Who knew a simple grain could be so versatile!
The secret
to Japanese
seafood
Icy, clear water and a boat full of yellow tail. An army of Japanese workers ready to weigh, grade, gut and fillet the fish, and pack them fresh for shipment. That is what I witness while standing at the port at 5am Nagashima Island, visiting a yellow tail farm and processing factory.
The Japanese seafood producers practice military-like precision and efficiency, with very careful cold storage management systems throughout the entire shipping logistics to keep the fish fresh. These are the extremes gone to get Japan’s finest seafood to our plates on the other side of the world.The Japanese seafood producers practice military-like precision and efficiency.
Sake is a drink that I’ve heard of for years, but never really understood. As is expected with anything from Japan, it’s brewed using century old traditions that are refined with the technology of today. The result? A smooth, wonderful drink with a complex flavor profile that tastes phenomenal.
But what I find really fascinating is how versatile it is; not only does it go great with Japanese cuisine, but it can withstand the richness of a creamy chicken dish from France or the bold flavors of British cooking. The slight sweetness means it could stand up to a spicy curry too, no doubt. That's what I love about it, there really is no one true time to drink it! NEWS FROM AROUND THE WORLD.
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