Rei Kojima– Author –
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Why Lemon Drying Is Drawing Attention and How to Practice It! A Thorough Look at the Trend
Drying lemons is drawing major attention in the food industry. Alongside rising health consciousness, the market for lemon-based products is trending upward. In particular, fresh lemon faces challenges of temperature control to maintain freshness and a short shelf life, and against this backdrop, "drying" and "pas..." -
10 popular apple varieties overseas｜Why they are loved around the world
Choosing "Fuji" or "Shinano Gold" at the supermarket fruit section is an everyday sight at the Japanese table. But looking abroad, the leading apples have a completely different lineup. At the American table it's Gala or Honeycrisp, in Europe Pink Lady... -
How to Store Apples in Winter: 10 Tips to Make Them Last
When you buy apples, the first thing you wonder is "should I store them at room temperature or refrigerated?" To get to the point, apples last longest in the fridge's vegetable compartment (0–5°C). In the cold air of autumn and winter, they last about a month at room temperature, 1–2 months refrigerated (vegetable compartment), and up to 3 months frozen... -
Differences among apple growing regions? Comparing Aomori, Nagano, and Yamagata
Even the same "Fuji" gives a different taste impression between Aomori-grown and Nagano-grown. Many who've compared origin labels at supermarkets or farm-direct stands have wondered why the price and texture differ. Apple flavor isn't decided by cultivar alone—the land's climate, altitude, and day-night temperature swing greatly... -
Are apples doctor-free? We explain the benefits, how many and how many grams per day, and the risks of eating too many
Many people have heard the saying "an apple a day keeps the doctor away." Apples have long been a symbol of a healthy fruit and are easy to work into the daily table. But just how many should you eat, how much does one weigh... -
A Thorough Guide to Drying Apples! 3 Steps and Tips You Can Do Easily at Home
Prep Before Drying Determines the Result. Drying apples is 70% decided by the prep before applying heat. Even with the same variety and the same dehydrator, skipping the cut thickness or the small step of preventing discoloration leaves you with a sticky or brown, cloudy result that differs in finish. First, the three prep points... -
Apple Variety Popularity Ranking! A Thorough Comparison Guide to Characteristics and How to Choose
Ranking of popular apple cultivars. The apples lined up on supermarket shelves now appear in many varieties year-round. But many people struggle to choose from names alone. Here, based on recognition, in-store distribution volume, and standing as gifts and household staples, we introduce the frequently chosen... -
What are the challenges of apple farming? A thorough explanation of the current state and solutions
The big picture of the challenges apple farming now faces. Apples are a familiar sight at the table, but their cultivation sites face a stack of overlapping structural problems: a shrinking farming workforce, changing growing conditions, labor concentrated in the harvest season, and ever-rising costs. It's not any one cause alone, but several... -
How much vitamin C is in one lemon? Its effects, nutrition, and effective ways to eat it explained
For those wondering "how much vitamin C is in one lemon?" or "what are the benefits and effects of lemon?", we explain the nutrients, benefits, effective ways to eat them, and how to use dried lemon from a practical standpoint. Lemon is more than a supporting player in cooking; with vitamin C, citric acid, and poly... -
Why the Popularity of Lemon Flavor Persists and How to Use the Latest Trends
From a garnish for fried food to the star of drinks, sweets, and seasonings. Lemon flavor is now the most-watched presence in the food industry. Even after entering the 2020s, the market has continued to expand, staying at the top of citrus flavors ahead of orange and grapefruit. The reason for this popularity... -
Why Lemon Powder Is Drawing Attention and How to Use It! A Thorough Usage Guide
Lemon powder is drawing attention in the food industry and at home. Fresh lemon, as a citrus with a distinctively vivid acidity and refreshing aroma, has been used across a wide range of industries—food processing, foodservice, confectionery, and beverages. The juice is used to add acidity to drinks and dishes, and the peel for confectionery and dressing... -
How to Choose Domestic Moringa: Quality Standards and Characteristics by Growing Region Explained
Alongside rising health consciousness, interest in moringa is rapidly spreading. This plant, also called a "nutrient-rich tree," is drawing attention worldwide as a superfood containing over 90 kinds of nutrients, but what points should you watch when choosing domestic moringa... -
Ways to Improve Lemon's Shelf Life! The Complete Version of Storage Techniques to Make It Last
Hot-air drying of lemons is a processing method that efficiently removes the fruit's moisture using warm air. By placing sliced lemons in a dedicated dryer and circulating constant-temperature hot air, they can be dried uniformly in a short time. At the processing sites for domestically grown lemons including Hiroshima-grown lemons... -
The appeal of heirloom vegetables in Hokuriku! Regional brands such as Kaga vegetables thoroughly explained
In the Hokuriku region there exist many “heirloom vegetables” handed down in that land. These are deeply tied to the region’s climate, soil, and food culture, and are a precious food heritage nurtured over long years. While mass production and standardization advance, the value of diverse varieties is being rediscovered, and chefs... -
How to use heirloom vegetable powder! Ways to easily enjoy nutrition and flavor
Heirloom vegetable powder is an ingredient made by powdering native varieties long cultivated in various regions, such as Kyoto vegetables and Kaga vegetables. These vegetables are a precious food heritage nurtured over long years while adapting to the region’s climate and soil, differing from the commonly mass-produced vegetables... -
"From Instagram to purchase": branding worked backward from Gen Z consumption
Gen Z chooses products with a sensibility and behavior completely different from previous generations. In the food genre in particular, the flow of "I bought it because I saw it in someone's post" has become the norm, and cases where a TV commercial or a search is the trigger keep decreasing. For example, Instagr... -
[2025 Latest] 3 Fair Trade Brands and Points for Choosing Them
Have you ever heard the term fair trade? Translated literally it means "fair trade." It is an effort to pay fair compensation to producers in developing countries and support their improved livelihoods and sustainable farming practices. The items covered by fair trade include coffee... -
[For Restaurants!] Use Dried Vegetables to Cut Food Waste and Improve Operational Efficiency at Your Store
"Dried vegetables," made by drying vegetables, offer diverse benefits for the food industry and restaurants. They keep well and cut down on prep, which leads to lower operating costs and can also broaden the menu. Because they also help reduce food loss,... -
The Sustainable Food Future Agriture Aims For
We want to be a presence like a greengrocer, connecting farmers and you, the consumer. The brand name OYAOYA—adding a Kyoto-style "o" to "yaoya" (greengrocer) and letting the presence of "yasai" (vegetables) waft through—holds such a thought. Nice to meet you. We are Agriture, which operates OYAOYA... -
From what age is Gen Z? Features and the difference from Millennials and Gen Alpha, explained in 5 minutes
The much-discussed "Gen Z." They're not merely a young demographic—thanks to their population size and strong power to disseminate information, their influence over society and the economy is rapidly expanding. Fluent in using the internet and smartphones as a given, sharing information instantly through social media, their behavior... -
What Is Fair Trade? From the Mechanism and Certification System to the Latest 2026 Trends Explained
There are more chances to hear the term fair trade. You spot products with a certification mark at supermarkets and cafés, or see it featured in companies' sustainability reports—it is steadily spreading in Japan too. This article covers the basic definition of fair trade... -
The Latest Cases and Success Strategies of Japanese Companies Working on Fair Trade
You've been hearing the term fair trade a lot lately. This is not merely a trend but an important concept that fundamentally changes the way business is done. Fair trade is a "fair trade" effort that supports producers and workers in developing countries in earning fair compensation... -
What Is Fair Trade Certification? A Complete Explanation of the Mechanism and Significance
The coffee and chocolate we consume daily. Behind them are producers in far-off countries. But whether those producers are earning fair compensation is hard for us consumers to see. Fair trade certification is such an "unseen..." -
What is the sustainable food culture that vegetarians are spreading?
A vegetarian refers to someone who eats mainly plant-based foods and avoids animal meat and fish. Say "vegetarian" and the styles are varied; which foods one eats differs by individual belief and choice. The reasons for changing one's diet, too, range from health to the environment... -
Dried Vegetable (Sun-Dried Vegetable) Onigiri Project | Held Every Tuesday in Kikukawa, Tokyo
Every Tuesday, at a shared dining space in Kikukawa, Tokyo, we hold the onigiri shop "Onigiri and Soup with Kyoto-Grown Dried Vegetables" using dried vegetables. Based on obanzai making use of dried vegetables, we propose a new form of onigiri. While treasuring regional ingredients, off-spec veg... -
The Path to a Michelin Green Star, Led by Dried Vegetables
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the habit of eating at home has taken root, and the value sought in dining out has changed greatly. Beyond merely "delicious," higher-level elements such as consideration for the environment and social significance have come to be demanded. Drawing attention amid this is dried... -
What is the value of Kyoto vegetables? The region’s food culture and sustainability
When you hear “a sustainable life,” you might picture eco bags or recycling, but one of the things with particularly great influence in our daily lives is the choice of “food.” Among these, what deserves attention is Kyoto vegetables, the heirloom vegetables of Kyoto. Kyoto vegetables are rooted in the spirit of “local production for local consumption”... -
7 Innovative Cases of Overseas Fair Trade Companies Changing the World
Today, awareness of fair trade is gradually rising too. According to a survey by the Japan Fair Trade Forum, fair trade awareness in Japan as of 2019 was 32.8%. While still low compared with over 80% in the UK and the Netherlands, it is steadily spreading... -
The Complete Rolling Stock Guide 2026 | 7 Recommended Foods and How to Use Dried Vegetables
Rolling stock is a system of stockpiling while consuming in everyday life, the standard 2026 style recommended by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and the Cabinet Office as well. This article covers the basics of rolling stock, how to do it, the 3 steps to start, "7 recommended foods," concrete examples of practicing it with dried vegetables and dry goods, and for companies... -
Saving discarded vegetables! A new approach to food loss reduction
The Reality of Off-Spec Vegetables, About 30% of Total Harvest Discarded. At Japan's agricultural sites, about 30% of harvested vegetables are discarded as "off-spec" without being shipped. According to MAFF statistics, domestic food loss reaches about 5.23 million tons per year (FY2021 estimate), of which the agricultural production stage... -
How to Choose Genuine Fair Trade Products: 5 Criteria and How to Tell
We’ve been hearing the term “fair trade” more and more often. You may notice fair trade labels on all kinds of products—coffee, chocolate, clothing, and more. But what exactly is a product that can truly be called “fair trade”...？ -
A sustainable future achieved by rethinking fair-trade consumption
The coffee or chocolate you casually pick up every day. That one cup, that one piece, may be supporting the life of someone working hard on the other side of the globe. Have you heard the term fair trade? This effort, meaning "fair, equitable trade," is tied to our consumption... -
Vegetable shortage lowering productivity? The link between presenteeism and diet
What you'll learn in this article. What presenteeism is and how much loss it brings to a company. Data linking vegetable deficiency to lower productivity. The effects you can expect from improving the food environment. Ways to fix vegetable deficiency you can start right away at the office. What is presenteeism? The true nature of a hidden loss. "Coming to work... -
Solving the Vegetable Shortage in Corporate Disaster Preparedness | 7 Recommended Stockpile Vegetables
Disaster stockpiling of vegetables is a theme that tends to be overlooked in corporate disaster plans. Common emergency and preserved foods—alpha rice, hardtack, cup noodles, canned goods—lean toward carbohydrates and protein, tending to lack vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber. This article covers 7 recommended stockpile vegetables... -
A stockpile strategy balancing BCP × health management | Using dried vegetables
What you'll learn in this article. An approach to food stockpiling that satisfies both BCP and health and productivity management. A rolling-stock strategy using dried vegetables. Tips for running it that ease the workload on the general affairs department. How to account for the cost and its cost-effectiveness. Are you handling BCP measures and health and productivity management separately? "Disaster stockpiling is general affairs' job... -
A complete corporate disaster-stockpile list | Required amounts per person and selection criteria
What you'll learn in this article: the stockpile amount required per employee based on Cabinet Office recommendations; selection criteria by item and how to calculate required quantities; the often-overlooked approach to "vegetable" stockpiling; a ready-to-use stockpile checklist; the basic rules of disaster stockpiling. The Cabinet Office (disaster management) guidelines, toward companies, coun... -
Nutritional comparison of dried and fresh vegetables: nutrients that remain and nutrients that are lost
この記事でわかること 乾燥野菜に残る栄養素と失われやすい栄養素 主要な野菜別に見る残りやすい成分 乾燥方法による仕上がりの違い 乾燥野菜を上手に活用する方法 「乾燥野菜って栄養あるの？」という疑問に正直に答えます 乾燥野菜について一番多い質問... -
Types of dried vegetables | 4 drying methods and how to choose
What you'll learn in this article: the four drying methods for dried vegetables and their characteristics, a comparison of nutrition, cost, texture, and use, recommended drying methods by purpose, and points to check when buying. With dried vegetables, the "drying method" makes a big difference in quality. When you look for "dried vegetables" at the supermarket or online, similar-looking ... -
How to rehydrate dried vegetables | Tips for miso soup, salads, and stir-fries
What you'll learn in this article: the basic ways to rehydrate dried vegetables (water and hot water), rough rehydration times by vegetable, techniques by use (miso soup, salad, stir-fry), and tips for using them without losing nutrients. The basic way to rehydrate dried vegetables. What first-time users of dried vegetables puzzle over most is "how do I..." -
How to Store Dried Vegetables and Their Shelf Life | Tips After Opening, Explained
What you'll learn in this article: a guide to the best-before date of dried vegetables and how it's set, the correct ways to store them unopened and after opening, how to spot signs of deterioration, and points on choosing storage containers and where to store them. How long is the best-before date of dried vegetables? The best-before date of dried vegetables varies by product and drying method, but... -
10 dried-vegetable recipes | from miso soup to side dishes, solving vegetable shortage in a hurry
この記事でわかること 乾燥野菜で作る簡単レシピ10選（5分〜15分） 味噌汁・スープ・サラダ・炒め物・煮物のジャンル別レシピ 乾燥野菜の使い方のコツと失敗しないポイント 1週間の献立に乾燥野菜を組み込むアイデア なぜ乾燥野菜レシピが「野菜不足」に役... -
What are the characteristics of Yamagata apples? A thorough guide to varieties and growing conditions
The reason Yamagata-grown apples are delicious lies in the climate. Yamagata Prefecture is a leading fruit-growing region representing the Tohoku area. Known nationwide not only for apples but also for cherries and La France pears. Why do so many kinds of fruit grow in a single prefecture? The answer lies hidden in Yamagata's distinctive terrain and climate... -
青汁ケールの栄養と特徴｜選び方・飲み方を解説
When it comes to green juice, kale comes to mind. This green vegetable belongs to the same mustard family as cabbage and broccoli, and is so nutritionally excellent it's called the "king of vegetables." In Japan the green juice market has matured, and kale has long maintained steady demand as its main ingredient. Raw... -
A Complete Guide to the Features of Miura Daikon! Explaining the Appeal of Its Taste, Shape, and Nutrition
Miura daikon is a winter daikon grown on the Miura Peninsula in Kanagawa Prefecture. In the Meiji era it arose from natural crossbreeding of the peninsula's native Koenbo daikon with Nerima daikon and others, and in 1925 (Taisho 14) it was named "Miura daikon." Blessed with the peninsula's mild climate and well-draining soil, it has long... -
5 reasons vegetables are necessary for strength training｜Protein alone is not enough
この記事でわかること 筋トレに野菜が欠かせない科学的な理由 プロテインだけでは補えない栄養素の正体 筋トレを支えるビタミン・ミネラルの働き 忙しいトレーニーでも続けられる野菜摂取テクニック 乾燥野菜を筋トレ食に組み込む具体的な方法 「鶏むね肉... -
How to Hold an In-House Tasting Event for Disaster-Stockpile Foods, Step by Step
What you'll learn in this article: why stockpile-food tasting events are effective as disaster drills; the concrete procedure and schedule from planning to execution; tricks for raising participation rates and tips for internal announcements; the mechanism of rolling stock and how to link it with tasting events; the cost-benefit... for persuading executives -
5 ways to solve vegetable shortfall in older adults | Making use of dried vegetables
What you'll learn in this article. Three reasons older adults tend to fall short on vegetables. Cooking techniques that make vegetables easy to eat even with weaker chewing. Simple care-food recipes using dried vegetables. The vegetable intake needed per day and the reality for older adults. How to support the meals of a parent living apart. "Lately, Dad... -
An office stockpiling plan to prepare for a Nankai Trough earthquake | How to think about food stockpiling
What you'll learn in this article: the projected damage of a Nankai Trough earthquake and the need for office stockpiling; how to calculate stockpile amounts based on Cabinet Office guidelines; concrete items and quantities of food stockpiles assuming long-term evacuation; the mechanism and operational points of rolling stock; how to prepare to the maximum with limited budget and space... -
A Vegetable Intake Guide for Expectant Mothers | How to Supplement Folate and Iron with Dried Vegetables
What you'll learn in this article. The vegetable intake needed per day during pregnancy and the nutrients you tend to fall short on. How to choose vegetables that efficiently supply folate and iron. Ways to keep using dried vegetables even through morning sickness. Recommended recipes and eating tips by pregnancy stage. Tips for quick cooking with dried vegetables. "Ever since I found out I was pregnant, meals... -
Preventing vegetable shortfall while dieting | Add dietary fiber with dried vegetables
この記事でわかること ダイエット中に野菜不足が起きやすい理由 食物繊維がダイエットの成功率を高める仕組み 乾燥野菜のカロリーと栄養素データ ダイエット食に乾燥野菜を取り入れる具体的な方法 空腹感を抑える食物繊維の効果的な摂り方 「食事制限をし...
