[Owani Town, Aomori Prefecture] Introducing the charms of the traditional vegetable “Owani Bean Sprouts” made using hot spring heat, recommended recipes, and where you can buy them.

Do you know about Owani bean sprouts grown in Owani Town, Aomori Prefecture These bean sprouts are long and thin, but not only do they look great, but they also taste exceptional! For those who only know regular bean sprouts, the taste will be shocking. In this article, we will introduce the appeal of Owani bean sprouts, recommended recipes, and where you can buy them.

What is Owani bean sprouts?

history

Owani bean sprouts are a traditional vegetable that has been cultivated in Owani Town, Aomori Prefecture since the Edo period. Owani Town is famous as a spa town, and the technique of growing sprouts using local hot springs was developed from the early Edo period. Aomori's winters are bitterly cold, and Owani bean sprouts, made using the heat from hot springs, were a valuable source of nutrition. The process of growing bean sprouts using the heat of hot springs which began in this way, continues to this day, and is still made using the same method as the pride of the region.

Long and slender with a unique flavor

Compared to regular bean sprouts, Owani bean sprouts are characterized by being thin and long. As you can see in the photo above, the long ones can reach about 40cm, and you can see that they are completely different in appearance. Its characteristic feature is its crunchy texture. The taste and texture are completely different from commonly sold bean sprouts, and the texture remains unchanged even when heated. Additionally, Owani Onsen bean sprouts are rich in vitamin C and dietary fiber, and are attracting attention as a healthy food ingredient.

we also have soba bean sprouts made with the soba variety ``Hashikami Wase'' that is native to Aomori, and these are also delicious ! They are thinner than soybean sprouts and slightly shorter than Owani Onsen bean sprouts. Perhaps because of this, the texture is better than Owani Onsen bean sprouts, and you can feel the natural sweetness of soba.

Recommended ways to eat it are ``ohitashi'' and ``shabu-shabu.'' By quickly cooking them, you can enjoy the original flavor of bean sprouts without losing their crunchy texture. Also, since soba bean sprouts can be eaten raw, we also recommend cutting them in half and eating them in a salad with ponzu sauce or ginger soy sauce.

Restaurants in Owani Town offer ` Onsen Bean Sprout Ramen'' using Owani Onsen bean Special Umakadon with Aomori Shamolok chicken from Owani hey.

Unique cultivation method using hot spring heat

Owani bean sprouts are cultivated in soil using the heat of hot springs. If you sow the seeds directly in the soil like normal vegetables, place straw on top of them, and leave them out of the light for a week, you'll get pure white, long, slender Owani bean sprouts. The temperature of the soil is always kept around 30 degrees thanks to the hot springs, and it is a luxury to use the hot springs even when removing the soil after harvesting. Although production is limited because cultivation is very time-consuming, this cultivation method gives Owani bean sprouts their unique taste and texture.

In fact, the cultivation of Owani Onsen bean sprouts was passed down from generation to generation, but at one point the number of producers was reduced to four... However, two local young people became disciples of a senior farmer, and the tradition continues today. We continue to make Owani bean sprouts using a traditional manufacturing method.

Introducing recipes to enjoy Owani bean sprouts

1. Ohitashi with bean sprouts

The recommended way to eat Owani bean sprouts is as ohitashi, which allows you to fully enjoy the flavor and texture of the bean sprouts. It's very easy to make; just boil the Owani bean sprouts and drain the water. You might be asking, ``Do you eat the beans too?'' ``Why don't you cut off the roots?'' But don't hesitate to eat the whole Owani bean sprouts, as everything from the beans to the roots is edible.

All you have to do is add a little soy sauce and sprinkle some bonito flakes, and you can enjoy the crunchy texture and original taste of Owani bean sprouts. In addition to soy sauce, ginger soy sauce and ponzu sauce also go well, so when you get Owani bean sprouts, try them first with ohitashi.

2. Owani bean sprouts in oil

Aburitame using Owani bean sprouts is a dish that can be made quickly even on a busy day.

It's easy to make; just heat oil in a frying pan and lightly stir-fry the halved crocodile bean sprouts. The local standard ingredients are pork and fried tofu, and it is also popular to add shirataki mushrooms for a healthy option. For seasoning, you can keep it simple with salt and pepper and a small amount of soy sauce, or you can add flavor with sesame oil. If you stir-fry them too much, the water will come out and they will become soggy and the goodness of the Owani bean sprouts will disappear, so please only lightly cook them.

3. Large crocodile with bean sprouts and roe

Owani bean sprouts are also used in Kowae , one of Aomori's local dishes By adding crunchy wani bean sprouts to the cod roe, you can enjoy the perfect balance of texture and flavor. It is a dish that is often seen especially during New Year's Day and other celebrations, but its appeal is that it can be easily made at home. The rich texture of the Owani bean sprouts pairs perfectly with the chewy texture of the cod. It's convenient to make ahead of time, so it's recommended as a side dish for bento boxes or as a snack with alcohol.

Where can I buy Owani bean sprouts? Introducing sales locations

Owani bean sprouts are sold at supermarkets and hot spring facilities in Owani town. In particular, ``Wani Come'', located 2 minutes walk from Owani Station, is easily accessible and easy to purchase. In addition to Owani bean sprouts, Wani Come also sells local vegetables and specialty products. Please be sure to stop by when you are sightseeing.

However, Owani bean sprouts are not sold outside of the growing season (November to April). There may be sales in May or October, but please note that there are no sales in the summer.

INFORMATION

• Facility name: Owani Town Regional Exchange Center Wanicome
• Address: 11-11 Owani Kawabe, Owani-cho, Minamitsugaru-gun, Aomori 038-0211
• Business hours: 9:00-22:00
• Phone number: 0172-49-1126
• Closed days: Irregular

GOOGLE MAP

Roadside stations, farm direct, and supermarkets near Owani

If you don't have time to go to Owani Town, you can buy it at roadside stations near Owani Town or directly from the farm. We recommend Roadside Station Hirosaki Sunfesta Ishikawa, which is close to the Owani Hirosaki Interchange. Here we sell fresh local vegetables grown in Owani, Hirosaki, and Hirakawa, and in the fall, we have a variety of fruits such as apples, grapes, oysters, and pears.

It is also available at supermarkets in Hirosaki City, but most places have purchase restrictions. Even during the growing season, they don't arrive every day, so be patient and consider yourself lucky if you come across them. In particular, I have never seen soba bean sprouts anywhere other than Owani, so it seems better to wait patiently for them to arrive.

summary

Owani bean sprouts, which are grown in Owani Town using the heat of hot springs, are loved by many people for their crunchy texture and rich flavor. Be sure to try Owani bean sprouts when you visit Owani Town.