Zenbird Editorial TeamZero Plus Co., Ltd., based in Ashiya Town, Fukuoka Prefecture, has launched a new snack that upcycles a common byproduct of Japanese pickling. The product, “Sakutto! Aka Shiso,” upcycles red shiso leaves used in making pickled plums (umeboshi) into a crispy, flavourful topping, tackling food loss in the region.
In traditional plum pickling, red shiso leaves impart their distinct colour and aroma to the plums but were often treated as a mere garnish and discarded afterwards. An umeboshi artisan wondered, “It is a waste that this delicious treat, pickled with the plums, is thrown away without being eaten. Could there be a way for more people to enjoy it more easily and deliciously?”
This sentiment resonated with local red shiso farmers, who share a passion to “preserve truly good things for the future.” They did not want the high-quality shiso they cultivated to go to waste. This shared purpose led to the development of the new product, which gives the flavour-infused leaves a new life.
The snack’s ingredient list includes red shiso from Ashiya, and ripe Nanko plums and salt from Oita Prefecture. The production process relies on careful craftsmanship. After being layered with plums to absorb their rich flavour, the shiso leaves are gently loosened to incorporate air and then slowly dried. This method creates the snack’s signature light, crispy texture.
Zero Plus hopes the product will do more than just reduce waste, to act as a bridge between producers and consumers and to raise the profile of Ashiya Town and its local specialities.
[Reference] PR Times (Japanese)
