Aeon Supports Farmers to Preserve Traditional Japanese Cuisine

On June 17, 2011, major Japanese supermarket chain Aeon Retail Co. started to sell a ready-to-cook hot pot meal set that comes with junsai (water shield), a local specialty product of Mitane Town in Akita Prefecture, and hakusai (Chinese cabbage) soup, on its online web store as part of its Food Artisan project. This project aims to support producers who strive to preserve traditional local cuisine in Japan.

Junsai is a young sprout of water plants covered in jelly-like coating with a distinctive texture. It is often used in Japanese broth, vinegar dishes and hot pot dishes. Junsai grows in clear, fresh water and is listed in municipalities' red data book of certain parts of Japan. Junsai offered by Aeon is grown in fresh water that runs from the Shirakami Mountain Range, a UNESCO World Heritage site, which is also known for being the largest production area of junsai.

Aeon has established a committee with members of the Mitane Town Society of Commerce and Industry and the Moritake Junsai-Nabe Club in Akita to promote the spread of savory junsai dishes. The members of the committee will make efforts to foster young junsai pickers, study delicious junsai dishes and introduce junsai products with an aim to preserve and develop the traditional local cuisine.

Aeon will continue to promote the Food Artisan project.

Japanese Retailer Aeon Promotes Fresh Seafood to Sustain Local Fisheries (Related JFS article)
http://www.japanfs.org/en/pages/029694.html

Posted: 2011/10/02 06:00:15 AM