Is Yamagata Prefecture's mysterious food ingredient "Hyou" a vegetable? Or a weed? Its true identity is "purslane"!

"hyo" (in the local dialect) that was once featured on a TV program and became a hot topic . The program surprised the audience by saying, "Yamagata residents eat weeds."

It's true that hail is common and sometimes treated as a nuisance in the fields, but it's actually quite delicious. How do you eat it? It's common, but what's the truth?

This time, we will answer that question and introduce it to you

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What is Hyo's real name? Is it really Weed?

Many people are probably familiar with portulaca, a horticultural variety of "hyo" (purslane). "hyo" is the name for the Yamagata dialect, and is "suberslane."

As for why purslane came to be called ``hyo,'' the most likely theory is that the word ``hyo'' was corrupted to ``hyo

It is true that in Japan it is treated as a weed and a nuisance to fields, but it has long been edible around the world, and in China it is used in traditional Chinese medicine. In France and other countries, it is sold in markets "Perslain" along with other vegetables.

Inland Yamagata Prefecture has long been eating purslane as food, even though it is considered a nuisance in the fields, so perhaps this is a surprisingly progressive approach... If you were to say that "Yamagata residents eat weeds," you might be laughed at in other countries

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They seem to be treated as a nuisance in the fields... but do they have any nutritional value?

The reason why purslane is used in traditional Chinese medicine in China is probably because it has excellent efficacy

The most prominent nutrient found in purslane potassium , with nearly 500 mg per 100 g.

Potassium promotes the excretion of sodium (salt) , so it can be expected to help maintain normal blood pressure for people who are concerned about salt intake due to high blood pressure, etc. It also contains a lot of sodium, vitamin C, and calcium.

Recently, purslane has been attracting attention due to its omega-3 fatty acid content It can be said that a familiar vegetable that is rich in nutrients

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When is purslane in season? How can you eat it?

Purslane grows rapidly from spring to summer and can cause trouble for field owners

It is not thought to be cultivated in any particular way, but I often hear of cases where people plowed a field, left it for a while, and then when they returned, found the whole field infested with hail (purslane). Perhaps because of its reproductive ability, it has come to be called a nuisance and a weed in the fields

However, thanks to our ancestors who thought that if they were going to remove it as weeds anyway, they might as well eat it, it has become a food culture that is still deeply rooted in the region

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How to eat it deliciously?

The most popular way to eat it is to boil it and then marinate it. It is also commonly served with mustard soy sauce. It is also popular as a side dish and as a snack to go with alcohol

It has a slimy texture and a unique chewy texture that is so delicious you might find yourself eating too much. However, be careful not to eat too much as it also contains oxalic acid

Even within Yamagata Prefecture, in the snowy inland areas, especially in the Okitama region, people seem to have enjoyed eating hail (purslane), which can be eaten before harvesting crops in the fields

Dried purslane, known as "hyoboshi," is eaten during the New Year as a lucky charm, with the word "hyoboshi" (leaf) playing on the idea that "perhaps something good will happen." It is often eaten by boiling it and then reconstituting it in a stew

Winter vegetables are precious in snowy regions, so dried hail (purslane) was likely a highly valued winter food ingredient

Although it is not suitable for eating raw, it can be boiled and mixed with other dishes, stir-fried, simmered , and cooked in a variety of ways, making it a versatile vegetable. It is also delicious in dishes such as namul.

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summary

Purslane became famous nationwide after being featured on a TV program with the slogan "Yamagata residents eat weeds." However, it turns out that even the prefecture's residents were unaware that in other countries it is called "purslane" and openly sold as a vegetable in markets

Purslane, a common grass that has been eaten since ancient times in Yamagata Prefecture, especially in the Okitama region, and that grows naturally in fields, was once considered a weed, but now it can be found in supermarkets as a vegetable

Highly nutritious and a good preserved food for winter, purslane may become popular and spread throughout the country

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