It’s incredible how much more knowledgeable the contemporary British cook is of Japanese ingredients than they were in years past, and it’s due largely in part to Tazaki Foods and its excellent Yutaka range. Created in 1995 as the interest in Japanese food among British eaters was blossoming, Yutaka translates as ‘good harvest’ and quite literally puts the cream of the crop in front of the United Kingdom. The brand has blazed a trail for Western chefs who want to learn as much as possible about one of the world’s most delicious and fascinating cooking cultures in the comfort of their own homes.
Not only that, but you can rest easy that you’re enjoying amazing products, as Yutaka sources the highest quality ingredients in every range and brings them under one roof when importing to the UK. Ready to try your hand yourself? Here are five of the core ingredients for the enterprising British cook searching for phenomenal Japanese flavour.
Maki sushi made with Yutaka
Sushi
Want to make perfect sushi? One of the most important foundations in creating a great sushi roll is its rice. Make sure yours is up to snuff with Yutaka Sushi Rice, a premium-grade, Japanese-stye, short-grain rice that will stand up to rice vinegar and nori seaweed to create maki rolls that will have your guests returning for more.
Miso Paste
Umami is one of the fundamental flavour profiles of Japanese cooking and one that has found a foothold in almost every cuisine since. For anyone wanting to pack it into their home cooking, Yutaka White Miso Paste macerates soybeans to delicious effect and is perfect for making soups, stews, dressings and marinades. If you really want to understand Japanese cuisine, miso is an important starting point.
Tamari Soy Sauce
Ah, soy sauce. Stick soybeans, water, salt and alcohol together and ferment them for eight months and you have one of the finest additions to a dish. Essentially instant umami, it breathes salty life into everything from rice and noodles to sushi and sashimi and works perfectly as a dipping sauce. Tuck in!
Soba Noodles
Not only are soba noodles some of the most delicious to hoover up when you’re hungry, but they’re also quite good for you. Made with buckwheat and wheat, and packing in a subtle earthy taste with a wholesome texture, they’re perfect for noodle salads and noodle soups. Looking for an incredible dish that’s as easy on your waistline as it is on your tastebuds? Yutaka Soba Noodles are the perfect option.
Silken Tofu
Tofu is a cornerstone for anyone health-focused, but it’s so much more than that. It’s equally delicious when immersed in a soup or a salad as it is when deep-fried to devastating effect. Why not try your hand at making a classic Japanese dish such as agedashi tofu? Yutaka Silken Tofu is the perfect candidate. Unpressed so that it contains more water, it has a soft texture that is perfect for the discerning eater.
