Hello everyone!
Enriching the industry with The “Maruke” Vision
My name is Takeru Ueda and I am the President here at Shuuwa Sangyo Co.
With this diary, join me as I sneak in to spy on the brilliant producers, factories, and confectionery stores all over Japan to uncover little things sometimes taken for granted, but which make so much difference to the end result! We are going to meet some of those valued individuals who make it all work.
Enriching the industry with The “Maruke” Vision
My name is Takeru Ueda and I am the President here at Shuuwa Sangyo Co.
With this diary, join me as I sneak in to spy on the brilliant producers, factories, and confectionery stores all over Japan to uncover little things sometimes taken for granted, but which make so much difference to the end result! We are going to meet some of those valued individuals who make it all work.
For the third installment, we went undercover to Asai Canning, the producers of delicious candied kumquat – or ‘Kinkan’, to use the Japanese.
They are located in Anan City, Tokushima on the island of Shikoku, which is the smallest of the main four Japanese islands. Asai Canning is a well-established producer with a long and storied history.
Having been told that there is a master craftsman here who has 40 years of experience, we felt we had to sneak in to see his Kumquat deseeding skills first hand!
They are located in Anan City, Tokushima on the island of Shikoku, which is the smallest of the main four Japanese islands. Asai Canning is a well-established producer with a long and storied history.
Having been told that there is a master craftsman here who has 40 years of experience, we felt we had to sneak in to see his Kumquat deseeding skills first hand!
Asai Canning Company boasts a fully-integrated production system from raw material procurement to manufacturing!
This is where we are to find the seed-removing craftsman here!
Let’s continue on into the factory!
This is where we are to find the seed-removing craftsman here!
Let’s continue on into the factory!
As you enter through the doors you feel like you are in some kind of earthly-paradise – the fresh and heady aroma of fine kumquat hits you. Then, you see the beautiful citrus fruits themselves in great quantity. These kumquats are as fresh as it gets, with the leaves all intact and ready for prepping.
Kumquat is a fortuitous fruit in Japan’s “Osechi” cuisine – the traditional selection of foods served up at New Year. “Kinkan” itself means “Golden Crown” so there is a symbolism of wealth and prosperity.
Kumquat is a fortuitous fruit in Japan’s “Osechi” cuisine – the traditional selection of foods served up at New Year. “Kinkan” itself means “Golden Crown” so there is a symbolism of wealth and prosperity.
Continuing on through the factory, your eye is caught by an object shining brightly, like some kind of jewel!
On closer inspection, brought forward like a moth to a flame, you notice that this strange artifact is in fact a single kumquat lit up and illuminated by a light source from below!
The method by which the kumquats are prepped is like a work of art – Each one placed upon the light, then carefully and meticulously deseeded.
This is one of the most immediate marvels in the history of our undercover series.
But then, a shocking revelation: Our talented veteran seed remover is nowhere to be seen…
Yes, we knew discovering value wouldn’t be easy…
(Of course, finding the kumquat was valuable enough…)
After gathering information, we learned there is another location, about an hour away from the main Asai Canning factory!
Let’s carry on and sneak in for a second visit of the day…
On closer inspection, brought forward like a moth to a flame, you notice that this strange artifact is in fact a single kumquat lit up and illuminated by a light source from below!
The method by which the kumquats are prepped is like a work of art – Each one placed upon the light, then carefully and meticulously deseeded.
This is one of the most immediate marvels in the history of our undercover series.
But then, a shocking revelation: Our talented veteran seed remover is nowhere to be seen…
Yes, we knew discovering value wouldn’t be easy…
(Of course, finding the kumquat was valuable enough…)
After gathering information, we learned there is another location, about an hour away from the main Asai Canning factory!
Let’s carry on and sneak in for a second visit of the day…
Our next venue is not an easy place to reach. In a very rural part of the beautiful Japanese countryside, there was no information on the GPS system, and nobody to ask for directions!
We’ll have to voyage on a little further if we are to uncover the secrets of these kumquat specialists.
We’ll have to voyage on a little further if we are to uncover the secrets of these kumquat specialists.
Finally, we had arrived. Upon entering the factory, we were greeted with a great many boxes of kumquats.
To think that these craftsmen individually remove the seeds from all of these is quite mind-boggling!
To think that these craftsmen individually remove the seeds from all of these is quite mind-boggling!
After all this searching, we met him!
Our skilled veteran with over 40 years in this business!
We introduced ourselves and he was delighted to share his tricks with us.
Our skilled veteran with over 40 years in this business!
We introduced ourselves and he was delighted to share his tricks with us.
Watching the dexterity of this fiddly process, you know this is truly the skill of a proper craftsman!
It is certainly not a skill that can be acquired overnight.
The speed of it all is lightning fast. You will never tire of watching the artful way he removes these seeds.
That being said, the technique of removing kumquat seeds is top secret and we are not about to give the secret away!
It is certainly not a skill that can be acquired overnight.
The speed of it all is lightning fast. You will never tire of watching the artful way he removes these seeds.
That being said, the technique of removing kumquat seeds is top secret and we are not about to give the secret away!
The seed removal tool they use is a real whopper!
This one has been in use for 40 years.
Indispensable and of such value to our worker, he told us he would like it to be buried with him in his grave.
“My wish is to be a diligent seed cutter for the rest of my life…” said the craftsman.
He was so proud and clearly found the work very rewarding – dedicating himself to the task of removing kumquat seeds.
This one has been in use for 40 years.
Indispensable and of such value to our worker, he told us he would like it to be buried with him in his grave.
“My wish is to be a diligent seed cutter for the rest of my life…” said the craftsman.
He was so proud and clearly found the work very rewarding – dedicating himself to the task of removing kumquat seeds.
So, did you enjoy yourself?
This was the third installment in our “Undercover President” diary series and on this occasion we were lucky enough to visit a fantastic kumquat producer. We explored the fantastically-intricate process of seed removal.
While we were unable to show you the full technique of how the fruits are deseeded (this really is a trade secret!) we hope you could get a sense of the quality Japanese ingredients and the amazing skill of our craftsmen.
We are very grateful and fortunate today to know that the seeds are still removed by hand, with such care and in the traditional way. These little details make us so proud to offer you all the finest quality Japanese ingredients.
This was the third installment in our “Undercover President” diary series and on this occasion we were lucky enough to visit a fantastic kumquat producer. We explored the fantastically-intricate process of seed removal.
While we were unable to show you the full technique of how the fruits are deseeded (this really is a trade secret!) we hope you could get a sense of the quality Japanese ingredients and the amazing skill of our craftsmen.
We are very grateful and fortunate today to know that the seeds are still removed by hand, with such care and in the traditional way. These little details make us so proud to offer you all the finest quality Japanese ingredients.
A big thank you to Asai Canning Ltd. You can find them at:
- Company Name:
- Asai Canning Co.
- Location:
- Baba-50-1 Anan-shi Shinno-cho,Tokushima 779-1510
- URL
- https://asaikanzume.com/
Be sure to check back soon to find out more about Japan’s exceptional produce in the next entry of the Value Discovery Diary. Stay tuned!
If you have any suggestions for the Value Discovery Diary – or perhaps you are a producer yourself – feel free to get in contact below!