[Mitane Town, Akita Prefecture] What is Junsai? Introducing details from local delicious ways to eat to events

When you travel, is there anyone who looks forward to purchasing precious vegetables that can only be grown in that area as souvenirs?

In this article, we will explain in detail Junsai, a specialty of Mitane-cho, Akita Prefecture, which is perfect for such people.

What is Junsai?

Junsai is a perennial aquatic plant belonging to the Nymphaeaceae family, and its characteristic feature is that its stems and floating leaves grow from rhizomes that grow from the bottom of marshes and ponds, covering the water surface like lotus leaves in summer.

The slimy young buds and petioles are picked and eaten, but the fresh buds can only be eaten from June to early August.

According to the results of the 2010 Regional Specialty Vegetable Production Status Survey conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in 2010, the harvest amount of junsai was as follows.

Junsai is treated as a high-quality vegetable because the season is short and the harvest amount is very small at 192 tons nationwide.

In addition, when we look into the nutritional components per 100g of junsai in the food ingredient database, we find that there is 16mg of vitamin K, which prevents calcium loss from the bones, 1g of dietary fiber, which prevents a sudden rise in blood sugar levels, and potassium, which prevents swelling. It contains 2g and has 4kcal, so it is attracting attention as a healthy vegetable.

Reference: Junsai JAPAN “What is Junsai?”

Reference: Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries “2010 Regional Specialty Vegetable Production Status Survey”

Reference: Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology “Food ingredient database Junsai”

Where can I buy Junsai

Junsai is so valuable, but many people are probably wondering where they can buy it.

Fresh junsai is only sold when it's in season, but junsai processed into bottles is available year-round.

You can find products for gifts if you search online to some extent, but small packs for everyday side dishes may be sold out because they are easy to purchase, so if you want to get them, be sure to buy them as soon as possible. It would be advisable to purchase it.

How to eat junsai

I will show you how to eat raw shunsai.

Ingredients (for 1 person)

• Fresh water (1 pack)
• Ice water (appropriate amount)

How to make

1. Pour the junsai into a bowl of water and wash it gently.
2. Drain the water in a colander, being careful not to remove the slime from the junsai.
3. Boil water in a pot, and once it boils, add the junsai.
4. When the color of the junsai changes to green, put it in ice water and tighten.
5. When cool, drain in a colander

After this, if the weather is hot, you can whet your appetite by combining it with umeboshi as an ingredient in chilled soup chazuke, and if it's cold, you can also add it to miso soup in combination with mitsuba or yam kelp.

About events related to Junsai

In Mitane Town, Akita Prefecture, which is famous for producing Junsai, fun events related to Junsai are held, so we will introduce two of them.

Junsai picking experience

In Mitane Town, Akita Prefecture, we are offering a junsai picking experience where you can actually harvest junsai at Junsai Marsh.

You can experience harvesting while riding a special boat in a swamp with a depth of 50 to 60 cm while steering it with a stick, and you can take the harvested junsai home as a souvenir.

If you are interested, please contact the Tourist Information Center.

INFORMATION

Junsai picking experience

• Business period: May to August
• Business hours: To be confirmed
• Closed: Open every day during the season
• For details on reservations, etc., please visit the Mitane Town Tourism Association official website

World Junsai Picking Championship

The World Junsai Picking Championship is being held in Mitane Town, Akita Prefecture.

It's a competition to see how much harvest can be harvested within a one-hour time limit, and the competition is so popular that the slots are filled within a few hours of accepting applications, as many people come from overseas to participate.

There is a solo division and a pair division, and the winning line for the solo division is about 1,500g, and for the pair division, the winning line is about 1,600g.

It has been canceled in 2020 and 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic, but if you would like to participate, please contact the Tourist Information Center.

Official URL: Mitane Town Tourism Association – News/Event Information

lastly

Junsai is one of the rare vegetables in the country as the harvest is very small, but I learned that it is cherished by the local people and plays a role in the revitalization of Mitane Town, Akita Prefecture.

Please try incorporating delicious junsai into your seasonal diet.