Japanese Element Symbols | Japanese Food

Boiled Rice is the indispensable staple of the Japanese diet

Rice never bores the Japanese, and represents an indispensable staple of the Japanese diet.

I introduces you to the best way in which to prepare tasty boiled rice.

 

Important Point When Purchasing Rice

Although there are many rice brands available in Japan, such as Koshihikari, Akita-komachi, and Sasanishiki, the most important point is not the brand name but freshness.
Always check the polishing date indicated on the bag.

Koshihikari こしひかり	Akitakomachi 秋田こまち	Sasanishiki ささにしき

 

Japanese black oolong tea does result in body weight reduction

Japanese black oolong makes body burn its own fat for energy.
In Japan, oolong tea certified for health benefits announcing Suntory black oolong tea OTTP.

This tea is classified as a Food for specified health uses by the Japanese ministry of health, labor and welfare.

Suntory has been studying the health benefits of oolong tea for many years.

Research has shown that oolong tea polymerized polyphenols, or OTPPs, help block the absorption of fat in foods and suppress the increase of triglycerides after meals.

New black oolong tea is rich in these fat-blocking polymerized polyphenols, and has been recognized as a health-promoting tea.

Suntory research shows that drinking black oolong tea with meals suppresses the increase in triglycerides after meals by approximately 20%.

In addition, studies in Taiwan indicate that OTPPs nearly double the amount of fat excretion.

 

 

What is Somen?

Somen(Soumen/Soomen: そうめん/素麺) are very thin, white Japanese noodles made of wheat flour.

The noodles are usually served cold and are less than 1.3 mm in diameter, it's a refreshing Japanese noodle, traditionally eaten in the summer to cool off from the Japan's humid summers.

The distinction between Soumen and the next thicker wheat noodles Hiyamugi and even thicker Japanese wheat noodles Udon is mostly the size of the noodle.

 

Soumen are usually served cold with a light flavored dipping sauce or Tsuyu.

The Tsuyu is usually a Katsuobushi-based sauce that can be flavored with Welsh onion, ginger, or myoga.

 

 

 

In the summer, Soumen chilled with ice is a popular meal to help stay cool.

They're most famous for being eaten as "Nagashi Somen(流しそうめん）," noodles flying down a bamboo pipe as would-be eaters try to catch them with their chopsticks.

By the way, Soumen served in hot soup is usually called "Nyumen" and eaten in the winter, much like Soba or udon are.