Where do Japanese get their vitamin C?
Written by: adekun on 21 September, 2009 10:09 am - Filed under: blog
Pitted umeboshi
Whilst I’m still to reach a firm conclusion, I can be certain the answer to the above is not the following: berries and imported citrus fruits, too expensive; home-grown citrus fruits, seasonal availability; brussel sprouts, unpopular. Could it be C.C. Lemon, the soft drink laced with the vitamin C of 210 lemons? Rather than try to identify a super food, it could be an amalgamation of several. It could be the combination of the many plant foods with a moderate amount of the vitamin that make their way into everyday meals. Something questionable, yet not to be overlooked is umeboshi. Packed with vitamins and minerals, the pickled fruit are a reliable daily addition. It would seem some vitamin C is imparted by red shiso, a colourant. According to Kikkoman:
Thanks to its generous dose of vitamin C, eating one umeboshi a day is said to ensure good health by stimulating the appetite and helping digestion – it’s also considered effective against fatigue.
sarah
11 October, 2009 #
But the problem is that noone in their right mind is able to eat ume.. So I guess that leaves C.C lemon. hehe.. or vitamins
Tom Baker
19 October, 2009 #
That C.C. Lemon looks good. I was wondering if you eat the umeboshi. I would love to spend some time in Japan. It’s a life long dream.
adekun
20 October, 2009 #
I only eat the umeboshi when the MIL is watching.
lapiz
1 November, 2009 #
Sorry I’m a latecomer to this discussion but, for the record, I like umeboshi, as long as they are not really salty. I’m not an expert but I’m dubious how much vitamin C something kept longterm can have. Doesn’t Vitamin C decrease rapidly? Other vitamins and minerals maybe. My guess is the Japanese requirement for pretty, colourful food keeps their vitamin C levels up. Since you can’t serve anything without a green (and preferably red or orange) garnish – bingo, vitamin C. (As long as not all the garnishes are plastic grass). Plus the Japanese, even kids, don’t seem to have the British aversion to veg. When I asked my class of 9 year olds about favourite foods, spinach and carrots came high in the responses, well before such items as hamburgers appeared. Chocolate was not even mentioned.
adekun
3 November, 2009 #
I know the body cannot store vitamin C. Good point about the plastic grass – what is the point of it or what is it representing?
I would say the Japanese are behind the times in lots of things. Not all bad as you pointed out. I get told pasta is favourite.
Joshua Zimmerman
9 November, 2009 #
CC Lemon is the best. Though I doubt there is the power of 2 lemons, let alone 100, in every bottle.