Biwa

Written by: adekun on 23 June, 2010 10:09 pm - Filed under: food — 3 Comments »

Known as Japanese medlar or loquat, biwa are a member of the rose family. Pictured are some slightly under ripened, ideal for jam or chutney; and some perfect for eating once they have been peeled. They can be used to flavour shōchū, much like umeshu or sloe gin. In addition, the leaves can be used to make tea (biwa cha):

• Rub the leaves to remove the bristles
• Leave to dry a few days
• Chop
• Add five grams of the leaves to a litre and a half of boiling water

There’s also a biwa pale ale brewed down in Kagoshima.

Tags: food and drink, fruit, japan

Raw liver

Written by: adekun on 23 April, 2010 5:28 pm - Filed under: blog — No Comments »

To rejuvenate the father-in-law we went to an expensive yaki-niku joint. He was recovering from pneumonia and was less than genki. In the past, I had already wrestled the raw chicken offering off the MIL, destined for my post labour wife. The raw liver still came as a surprise. Vitamin A laced with antibiotics. I almost wondered if it was to be used as a poultice. It was hardly Dances with Wolves; cold and unsurprisingly horrid.

Tags: food and drink, japan

Sudachi

Written by: adekun on 8 October, 2009 4:24 pm - Filed under: japan — 2 Comments »

Whilst uncommon overseas, here, sudachi is a cheaper alternative to the lime. It is quite similar in taste and smell, perhaps stronger. They are smaller than my impression of a lime. When in season, usual fayre get a dressing, as do chūhais.

Supermarkets prices equate to:

One imported lime = three imported lemons
Three imported lemons = six sudachi

Tags: food and drink

Where do Japanese get their vitamin C?

Written by: adekun on 21 September, 2009 10:09 am - Filed under: blog — 6 Comments »

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? Continue reading

Tags: food and drink

Dekopon

Written by: adekun on 26 February, 2009 12:37 pm - Filed under: japan — No Comments »

We were recently given a couple of boxes of the revered dekopon. The fruit are certainly the most agreeable oranges I’ve ever tasted.

Tags: food and drink, fruit, japan

Whale fish

Written by: adekun on 4 December, 2008 6:43 pm - Filed under: blog — 1 Comment »

Looking a little out of place amongst the fish in supermarket chillers yesterday, were a few packs of whale meat. Being a mammal, I wondered looking at the almost black steaks, if they should be in the meat section.

Tags: food and drink

Milking the cash cow

Written by: adekun on 10 August, 2008 4:08 pm - Filed under: blog — 2 Comments »

A couple of months back there was a report on the cash crisis. An American mother was in tears complaining milk being at the same price as gasoline? Although disparate in the UK, it made me recall dairy farmers protesting against their diminishing share of the end retail price.
I can understand cost increases being passed through, but do wonder if it’s all a bit off-kilter. Here in Japan, something that doesn’t need a reminder is the cost of food.
In one of the less affluent prefectures I’m thoroughly disgusted at the following:

• Milk c. ¥250 a litre
• Butter ¥408 for 200g (naturally the shelf was bare).
• Imported Devon cream 170ml just under ¥2000. That’s almost a tenner in English money.
• Grated ‘Pizza’ cheese 320g ¥688
• Cheese 100g around ¥500

It’s not just dairy products. The overpriced ¥300 Japanese garlic is now suddenly ¥400 a head. Is this a fair reflection of cost? Are you taking the Michael? Perhaps what I should come to terms with is that it price isn’t an issue. People now are so dependant that if that’s the price then it shall be paid with little more than a grumble – at best. The corporations are at liberty to charge what they like and there will be no riot.

Tags: food and drink, news, politics, whinge