Do you know makomotake?
It is a high-quality ingredient used in Chinese cuisine, characterized by its mild flavor and crunchy texture.
Mabi Town in Okayama Prefecture is actively engaged in the production of makomotake.
Every year, to let people know the seasonal taste, the "2021 Satosho Makomotake Tasting Stamp Rally" is held in conjunction with the harvest season.
The event period for 2021 is from September 13 to November 14.
During this season, not only can you purchase fresh makomotake, but menus using makomotake also appear at shops in Mabi Town and nearby!
We will introduce the charm of Satosho makomotake and the "2021 Satosho Makomotake Tasting Stamp Rally."
The following content is information for the 2021 event.
The next stamp rally is scheduled to be held around late September 2023.
About Satosho Town
Satosho Town, located in the southwestern part of Okayama Prefecture, is a compact bedroom community with a population of about 11,000 (as of July 31, 2021).
It is the hometown of the rising singer-songwriter Fujii Kaze, who gained popularity in 2021. His songs play at 10 AM and 3 PM in Tsubaki no Oka Sports Park.
The town's mascot characters are Sato-chan and Makorin.
Sato-chan is a camellia fairy who dislikes the heat. The town's tree, "camellia," blooms beautifully in winter at places like Tsubaki no Oka Sports Park.
Makorin is the fairy of Satosho Town's specialty, "makomotake."
Nutrient-rich stems and leaves! What is "makomo"
Makomo is a perennial grass of the Poaceae family. Both the stems and leaves can be eaten.
We will introduce various processed products, ways to eat, and uses.
Makomotake
Makomotake refers to the stem part of the perennial grass "makomo." It becomes enlarged due to a harmless fungus called black smut.
Remove the green outer skin with your hands or a peeler, and eat the white part. Fresh ones can also be eaten raw.
It has no bitterness or strong flavor, with a mild taste and a crunchy texture similar to bamboo shoots.
While it is known as a high-quality ingredient used in Chinese cuisine, it can also be adapted into Japanese dishes like takikomi gohan (seasoned rice) and tempura, as well as Western dishes like pasta and sautéed dishes.
Rich in dietary fiber and potassium, it is said to be a health food that helps improve intestinal health and lower blood pressure.
The white part may have black spots. This is the black smut. It can be eaten deliciously without removing it.
By the way, it seems that blackened makomotake was used as a material for tooth blackening during the Heian period.
Makomo has been a plant that has existed in Japan for a long time.
The period when fresh makomotake can be eaten is limited from late September to early November, but vacuum-packed makomotake (150 grams for 380 yen including tax, 500 grams for 900 yen including tax) is available year-round.
Makomotake direct sales office and others offer various processed products as well.
Makomo leaf powder
Makomo leaves are powdered to create makomo leaf powder (50 grams for 1,500 yen including tax).
In addition to being consumed as tea, its beautiful green color makes it useful for coloring dishes and sweets.
Being in powdered form allows for the intake of natural nutrients such as dietary fiber and vitamins in their entirety.
Makomo leaf crackers
The beautiful green makomo leaf crackers (10 pieces for 350 yen including tax) are made using rice flour from Okayama Prefecture.
The cute imprint of Sato-chan makes it a great souvenir.
Makomo leaf gelato
At Kasaoka Bay Farm Roadside Station, the HAPPY gelato contains makomo leaf gelato (450 yen including tax) mixed with makomo leaves.
It has a slight green color.
Along with the taste of milk, it was delicious with a Japanese scent reminiscent of rush grass.
The period during which fresh makomo bamboo can be eaten is only from late September to early November, but I hope you can enjoy processed products year-round!
Bath Additive
It's not just for eating. The bath additive made from makomo leaves (tax included 400 yen) is said to make your skin smooth.
It is a popular product that some people buy in large bags.
Can you see the dried makomo bamboo leaves inside?
In addition, at the makomo direct sales office, makomo croquettes and makomo burgers are also sold by reservation.
Makomo Cultivation Method
Makomo is a plant cultivated throughout Japan. It belongs to the grass family and grows in rice fields like rice.
The leaves grow to over 2 meters tall!
The thickening stem is about 50 centimeters from the base.
The harvest period for makomo bamboo can vary depending on the weather, but it is generally from late September to early November.
The flow from cultivation to harvest is as follows.
| Month | Flow |
|---|---|
| March | Collect old seedlings and divide them. |
| May | Planting rice. Weeding until harvest. |
| Late September to early November | Harvest by hand using a sickle. |
They are grown without the use of pesticides, herbicides, or insecticides!
Satosho Makomo Bamboo Tasting Stamp Rally 2021
To let people enjoy the seasonal Satosho makomo bamboo, Satosho Town holds the Satosho Makomo Bamboo Tasting Stamp Rally 2021 every year.
It started in 2013, and this is the 9th time in 2021.
During the period, if you eat dishes made with Satosho makomo bamboo at participating stores or shop for products including Satosho makomo bamboo, you will receive one sticker for every total purchase of 500 yen or more.
By attaching 2 to 5 stickers to the application postcard included in the pamphlet, filling out the necessary information, and submitting it, you may win products from companies in Satosho Town.
The prizes are as follows.
| Prize | Required Number | Product | Number of Winners |
|---|---|---|---|
| A Prize | 5 stickers | Products worth 6,000 yen from companies in Satosho Town | 1 person |
| B Prize | 3 stickers | Products worth 3,000 yen from companies in Satosho Town | 10 people |
| C Prize | 2 stickers | Products worth 1,000 yen from companies in Satosho Town | 30 people |
The application deadline for 2021 is November 24. For postal applications, the postmark must be dated on that day.
・Please collect stickers from different stores.
・Please place it in the dedicated application box at the Satosho Town Hall Planning and Commerce Division or mail it with a 63 yen stamp (some participating stores also have dedicated application boxes).
・One postcard counts as one entry. You can apply as many times as you like.
Restaurants, Western confectionery shops, direct sales offices, and supermarkets in Satosho Town, Asakuchi City, and Kasaoka City are participating in the stamp rally.
The following stores offer menus using Satosho makomo bamboo.
- Toriya Kaede【First】(Satosho Town)
- Okonomiyaki Lovely (Satosho Town)
- Taiwanese Cuisine Shikiwaki (Satosho Town)
- Fish Shop + Kitchen Nanatsuya (Satosho Town)
- SOL BAKERY (Satosho Town)
- Bizenya Kaikan (Satosho Town)
- Live Fish Cuisine Uosuke (Satosho Town)
- Café Tirol (Satosho Town)
- Handmade Dining & Live Macaret (Satosho Town)
- Café @ San Lavian (Satosho Town)
- Kamogata-tei Main Store (Asakuchi City)
- Patisserie Ciel (Asakuchi City)
- Seafood Restaurant Bushi no Hanamichi (Asakuchi City)
- Pan Café Assiette (Kasaoka City)
- Western Confectionery Workshop Berger (Asakuchi City)
I can't wait to see what kind of menus Satosho makomo bamboo will appear in!
You can purchase Satosho makomo bamboo at the following stores in Satosho Town.
- JA Hareno Kuni Okayama Kamogata Direct Sales Office "Nagomi"
- Mori Hara Store
- Makomo Bamboo Direct Sales Office
- JA Hareno Kuni Okayama Satosho Direct Sales Office "Sato-chan"
- Fine
- Ono Sake Store
The participating stamp rally stores are marked with green banners for Satosho makomo bamboo.
Due to weather conditions and the harvest status of makomo bamboo, products may not be available.
Satosho Town is committed to the local specialty "Satosho makomo bamboo."
What are the thoughts of the producers and the organizers of the stamp rally?
We spoke with Ryo Ogino, Sales Manager of Agrikeiell Co., Ltd., the producer of Satosho makomo bamboo, and Kosuke Hinotsu from the Planning and Commerce Division of Satosho Town Hall, who is organizing the Satosho makomo bamboo tasting stamp rally 2021.
Everyone's "delicious" voices are the source of Makorin's energy!