Introducing the charms, recipes, and places to buy the traditional vegetable "Okurai Bean Sprout" made with hot spring heat [Aomori Prefecture]

Owani bean sprouts grown in Owani Town, Aomori Prefecture ? They are thin, long bean sprouts that not only look great, but also taste exceptional! For those who are only familiar with regular bean sprouts, the taste will come as a shock. In this article, we will introduce the appeal of Owani bean sprouts, recommended recipes, and where you can buy them.

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What are 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 hot spring town, and from the early Edo period, the technique of cultivating bean sprouts using local hot springs was developed. Aomori's winters are harsh and cold, so Owani bean sprouts grown using the heat from the hot springs were a valuable source of nutrition. This is how the " cultivation of bean sprouts grown using hot spring heat " began, and it continues to this day, and is still produced using the same method as a source of pride for the region.

Long and thin, with a unique flavor

Compared to regular bean sprouts, Owani bean sprouts are characterized by their thin and long shape. As you can see from the photo above, they can grow to be as long as 40cm, and look completely different. What makes them stand out is their crunchy texture. Their taste and texture are completely different from the soybean sprouts you can buy in stores, and they retain their texture even when cooked. Owani Onsen bean sprouts are also rich in vitamin C and dietary fiber, and are said to be garnering attention as a healthy food ingredient

By the way, there are also soba bean sprouts made with the Aomori native soba variety " Hashikamiwase ," which are also delicious! They are thinner than soybean sprouts and slightly shorter than Owani Onsen bean sprouts. Perhaps because of this, they have a better texture than Owani Onsen bean sprouts, and you can taste the natural sweetness of the soba.

Recommended ways to eat them are "ohitashi" (boiled greens) or "shabu-shabu." By quickly cooking them, you can retain their crunchy texture and enjoy the natural flavor of the bean sprouts. Also, soba bean sprouts can be eaten raw, so we recommend cutting them in half and adding them to a salad with ponzu sauce or ginger soy sauce

Restaurants in Owani Town offer Owani Onsen Bean Sprout Ramen Special Umakadon made with Owani-produced Aomori Shamrock chicken

A unique cultivation method that utilizes hot spring heat

Owani bean sprouts are grown in soil using the heat of hot springs. The seeds are sown directly in the soil like regular vegetables, then straw is placed on top and left out of the light for a week, after which the pure white, thin and long Owani bean sprouts are produced. Thanks to the hot springs, the temperature of the soil is always kept at around 30 degrees, and even the hot springs are used luxuriously to remove the soil after harvesting. Cultivation is very labor-intensive, so production is limited, but this cultivation method is what gives Owani bean sprouts their unique taste and texture

In fact, the cultivation of Owani Onsen bean sprouts has been passed down from father to son, but at one point the number of producers had decreased to just four...However, two young local farmers apprenticed under a senior farmer, and to this day continue to produce Owani bean sprouts using the traditional method

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Introducing recipes that let you enjoy Owani bean sprouts

1. Boiled crocodile bean sprouts

The recommended way to eat Owani bean sprouts is as a boiled dish, which allows you to fully enjoy the flavor and texture of the bean sprouts. The method is very simple, just boil the Owani bean sprouts briefly and drain them lightly. You might be wondering, "Do you eat the beans too?" or "Don't you cut off the roots?", but Owani bean sprouts are edible from the beans to the roots, so don't hesitate to eat them whole

All you have to do is add a little soy sauce and sprinkle some bonito flakes on top to enjoy the crunchy texture and the original flavor of the Owani bean sprouts. In addition to soy sauce, ginger soy sauce and ponzu sauce also go well with them, so if you get your hands on some Owani bean sprouts, try eating them in ohitashi first

2. Stir-fried Owani bean sprouts

This stir-fried dish using Owani bean sprouts is a dish that can be made quickly even on busy days

It's easy to make; just heat oil in a frying pan and lightly stir-fry halved Owani bean sprouts. Local staples include pork and fried tofu, and a healthy option of shirataki noodles is also popular. You can season it simply with salt, pepper, and a little soy sauce, or you can add flavor with sesame oil. If you stir-fry it for too long, the sprouts will release moisture and become soggy, losing all of their delicious flavor, so be sure to only lightly cook them

3. Owani bean sprouts with roe

Roe Tossed, one of Aomori's local dishes . By adding the crunchy owani bean sprouts to a tossed dish of cod roe, you can enjoy an exquisite balance of texture and flavor. This dish is particularly popular at New Year's and other celebrations, but its appeal lies in how easy it is to make at home. The rich texture of the owani bean sprouts is an excellent match with the crunchy texture of the cod roe. It's also convenient to prepare in advance, so it's recommended as a side dish for bento lunches or as a snack with alcohol.

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Where can you buy Owani bean sprouts? Introducing the places where you can buy them

Owani bean sprouts are sold at supermarkets and hot spring facilities in Owani Town. Wani Come, located just a two-minute walk from Owani Station, is particularly easy to access and purchase. In addition to Owani bean sprouts, Wani Come also sells local vegetables and specialty products. Be sure to stop by if you're visiting as a tourist

However, Owani bean sprouts are not sold outside of the growing season (November to April). They may be available in May or October, but please note that they are not sold in the summer

INFORMATION

• Facility name: Owanimachi Community Center Wanicome
• Address: 11-11 Kawabe, Owani-cho, Minamitsugaru-gun, Aomori Prefecture, 038-0211
• Business hours: 9:00-22:00
• Phone number: 0172-49-1126
• Closed: irregularly

GOOGLE MAP

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Roadside stations, direct sales, and supermarkets near Owani

If you don't have time to go to Owani Town, you can also purchase produce at roadside stations or direct from farmers near Owani Town. We recommend the "Roadside Station Hirosaki Sun Festa Ishikawa," located close to the Owani-Hirosaki Interchange. This place sells fresh local vegetables grown in Owani, Hirosaki, and Hirakawa, and in the fall, there are many fruits on display, including apples, grapes, persimmons, and pears

They are also available at supermarkets in Hirosaki City, but most have purchase limits. They are not available every day, even during the growing season, so be patient and think, "I'm lucky if I come across them." In particular, I've never seen soba bean sprouts anywhere other than Owani, so it's probably best to be patient and wait for them to arrive

summary

Owani bean sprouts are grown in Owani town using the heat from hot springs, and are loved by many for their crunchy texture and rich flavor. If you visit Owani town, be sure to give them a try

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