Special promotional site in association with Central Federation of Societies of Commerce and Industry (Japan)
Beverley Milner
Posted: Wed Feb 17 2010
Konjak could well be the miracle food the West has been waiting for. This potato-like plant is low in calories (just 5 calories per 100g), high in fibre (2.2g per 100g) and calcium and, it is claimed, lowers cholesterol and has been used to treat diabetes and obesity. So why has konjak yet to travel? Well the major problem is that when prepared it has a gelatinous quality and a mottled grey colour that isn’t that appealing to Western taste buds – frankly traditional konjak looks and tastes like industrial strength frogspawn. But one company is doing its best to change this perception. Ishibashi has been producing Konjak since its foundation in 1877, but current President Wataru Ishibashi – who is the founder’s great grandson - is doing things differently. Here he explains his plans for taking konjak to the masses.
‘All our konjak is made by hand. We used to use machines, but this is an organic project and is better prepared by hand.’
‘I know the traditional preparation of konjak isn’t to Western tastes, and I have tried to change this. I have created konjak noodles, which colour and texture are much more western.’
‘Konjak has no flavour itself so can absorb other flavours. I have created a brown konjak which, when served with chocolate sauce is quite delicious.’
‘You can also combine konjak with traditionally high calorie food to create a healthier version – so a konjak cheesecake, white sauce or even hamburger is much better for you.’
‘My proudest invention is my konjak powder, which allows for easy, economical and environmentally-friendly exportation of konjak. This powder also contains powder from eight different healthy grains and is easy to make into a jelly by simply mixing with water.’
‘Over 60 percent of Americans are overweight and obviously their diet is a big part of that. Konjak can really help these people, if I didn’t believe that I wouldn’t be working so hard.’
529 Kamiuchi Oomuta-shi, Fukuoka, Japan
+81 944 58 6683
www.konjac.jp
Copyright © 2014 Time Out Tokyo
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Apparently the stuff is also supposed to help prevent cancer..... well at least it tastes good in Sukiyaki.
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