TOKYO, March 26 — The Japan Agricultural News held an annual contest for local specialties on March 25 and the grand prize was awarded to Hatawasabeze, wasabi stems marinated in sunflower oil marketed by Iwaizumi Holdings based in the town of Iwaizumi, Iwate Prefecture.
The product is made using hatawasabi — wasabi grown in fields — in which the town cultivates the largest amount in the country.
It was highly evaluated for its unique tingling flavor that goes well with both Japanese and Western foods and the local efforts to promote the area using its specialty.
Manga artist Mitsuru Yaku, head of the judging panel, said, “I was certainly impressed by the unique, punchy and tasty flavor, and more so because the product also stimulated my brain by letting me know that such a specialty existed in regional areas.”
Iwaizumi Holdings said the firm developed the product to increase the recognition that the town is Japan’s top grower of hatawasabi, the fact that is little known.
The firm said it is very happy and at the same time relieved to be able to promote it.
The gold prize, a subordinate award, was given to Otetsume Café au Lait An Monaka bean-jam-filled wafers produced by Koushi Saryo of Betsukai, Hokkaido, and to Ogon no Shizuku pear cake roll by JA Saitama, an agricultural cooperative in Saitama Prefecture.
Judges’ special award went to Mirufuchan milk tofu made by Mirufuchan Kobo in Nakashibetsu, Hokkaido.
Mitsuru Yaku, head of the judging panel for a local specialty contest, holds Hatawasabeze, which won the grand prize, at The Japan Agricultural News headquarters in Tokyo’s Akihabara district.