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Kyoto's Daian Showcases Senmaizuke at Seasonal Peak as Winter Begins

Producers say cooler weather sweetens Shogoin kabura, making early-winter batches the most flavorful.

Overview

  • On November 7, the long-established pickles shop in Kyoto’s Sakyo Ward opened its traditional senmaizuke preparation to the press.
  • Skilled artisans in happi coats used a kanna to thinly slice the turnips in a public demonstration of the craft.
  • The specialty uses Kyoto’s Shogoin kabura, prized for a crisp bite and smooth mouthfeel.
  • Daian says slices are salted for two days, then pickled with Hokkaido kombu and a proprietary brine, finishing in about a week.
  • Nationwide heat delayed Shogoin kabura growth this year, making procurement difficult, according to the Asahi.