B-class gourmet

Eating the flowers used in crests is "a special thing" | Enjoy autumn ingredients! [Yamagata Prefecture]

  • ikoke ikoke
  • Last updated: 2025.03.31

Autumn is the season for harvest and appetite. Chrysanthemum flowers are one of the many delicious autumn ingredients

Eating chrysanthemum flowers? It may not be popular nationwide, but the most well-known sight is seeing chrysanthemum flowers garnished with sashimi

However, in the Okitama region of Yamagata Prefecture, dishes using chrysanthemum flowers often appear on the autumn table .

We will introduce you to the origin of the name of edible chrysanthemums, how to eat them, and the deliciousness and benefits of edible chrysanthemums, which are so loved that they are even grown in ordinary households

Please read to the end

What do you mean, "outrageous"? Eating flowers?

photo by ikoke

What is the origin of the name?

when it came to be called "Motenohoka" (it is absolutely unacceptable) but it seems that people started calling it "Motenohoka" or "Mottekiku" (it is absolutely unacceptable) because eating the Imperial family's crest, the chrysanthemum crest, was considered " to be an audacious act."

The official name of this variety is " Enmeiraku ." The name itself sounds auspicious, so it's no wonder you want to eat it.

When did it start to be eaten?

The culture of eating edible chrysanthemums as a local dish remains firmly entrenched in Yamagata Prefecture, but its history is said to date back to the end of the Edo period

Over a long period of time, breeding has progressed and there are now many different varieties available, including varieties that have a mild, slightly sweet taste with the characteristic bitterness of chrysanthemums

Introducing everyone's "unacceptable" eating habits!

If you boil edible chrysanthemums, such as pink ones, in a little vinegar, their color will become more vibrant. If you boil them briefly and then rinse them under running water, they will turn out surprisingly beautifully

Chrysanthemums are bitter, so it is recommended to mix them with spinach or cabbage to make them easier to eat

edible chrysanthemum petals

Only the petals of chrysanthemum flowers are edible

The calyx is removed from the flower, the petals are scattered, and then cooked. It is often boiled and eaten as a boiled dish, but it can also be used in a variety of other dishes

The carpaccio's colorful and textured accents are sure to whet your appetite!

Boiled and pickled "Motenohoka" is used as an accent in salads! A dish that women will love

The salad of chrysanthemums and nameko mushrooms is also delicious. It seems to go well with sake! Yamagata Prefecture has a lot of delicious local sake, so you'll want to drink a lot of sake on a long autumn night

Are there any benefits to eating chrysanthemums? What are the benefits?

photo by ikoke

In September, when chrysanthemums begin to bloom the Double Ninth Festival, which is celebrated annually on January 1st, March 3rd, May 5th, July 7th, and finally September 9th. It is also generally said to be a day to ward off evil spirits.

In the Okitama region, there is a custom known as Mikunichi, where people offer sake and offerings to Yashiki Myojin (the god who protects houses and land) on the 9th, 19th, and 29th of September

What are the effects of chrysanthemum flowers?

Edible chrysanthemums contain a lot of vitamin E. Vitamin E has antioxidant properties, suppressing the activity of active oxygen and helping to prevent aging.

also rich in vitamin C, so it is likely to be good for your skin .

You often see chrysanthemums served with sashimi, and there's a reason for that: chrysanthemums contain a detoxifying substance called glutathione, which is why they are served with sashimi, which is eaten raw

Chrysanthemum flowers also have the effect of lowering blood pressure, so it may be a good idea to pickle them in sweet vinegar and eat a little bit of them with each meal as a palate cleanser

Are there different types of edible chrysanthemums?

Edible chrysanthemum (yellow)

Edible chrysanthemum (purple)

It's so beautiful! Yamagata Prefecture is apparently the top consumer of edible chrysanthemums. It would also be nice to mix yellow and pink chrysanthemums together!

photo by ikoke

summary

Chrysanthemums are a beautiful food that is enjoyed during the autumn season when appetites are at their peak. Not only are they delicious, they are also good for beauty and health. We can all be grateful to our ancestors for thinking of edible autumn flowers!

The Okitama region of Yamagata Prefecture is a charming place where the culture of enjoying delicious food made from familiar ingredients such as hedgerows (Ukogi) and weeds (Suberus oleracea) has been passed down. The thought of chrysanthemum flowers grown in a garden or other place blooming on the dinner table is sure to double your appetite

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