SKU: 8685
  • Kokuto Murakami Syouten Crushed Brown Sugar from Hateruma Island
$17.95
Discounts Available
  • buy at least 10, save 8%
  • buy at least 20, save 10%

Description

Murakami Syouten Crushed Brown Sugar from Hateruma Island

500 gram bag - Okinawa, Japan

 

This crushed black molasses sugar is perhaps the most lovely sugar in the world available today. 

This sugar is from the southern most island in the chain of over 150 islands in Okinawa Prefecture, south of the mainland of Japan. Hateruma Island is, as a crow flies, 2,006 kilometers (1,246 miles) south of Tokyo and 247 kilometers (153 miles) to the east of Taipei. 

This small island is just 1270 hectares (3138 acres), or 4.9 square miles. In comparison, Orcas Island is 11.69 times larger. The only way to get to the island is via a 60 minute fast boat. If the seas are too rough you can take the cargo ferry, leaving at 9, taking 2.5 hours. 

The island is a destination for holiday makers and is known for its relaxing island life. 

It is also here that this very special molasses brown sugar is from. Unlike many brown sugars (made with white sugar mixed with molasses), Kokuto (rich black sugar) is made by slowly cooking and reducing the sugarcane juice. 

Sugarcane is one of the most healthy foods you can eat. Antioxidant rich, it is a fighter of infections and helps strengthen your immune system. Rich in calcium, iron, potassium, vitamins B1 & B2 and essential amino acids. 

Potassium helps excrete excess sodium and keeps the blood pressure balanced. Calcium is know for preventing high blood pressure, arterial sclerosis, and keeping you calm. 

Kokuto molasses brown sugar can help with dehydration, infections, and can even help fight a fever. Keep in mind that processed white sugar cane is not the same and can have the opposite health benefits. 

Kokuto dates back to the 17th century and now is a protected process by the Okinawa Prefecture Brown Sugar Industry Council ensuring the quality and traditional production methods are used. Just seven of the islands grow sugar cane. 

To taste Kokuto is nothing like a spoonful of sugar or a cube of table sugar. To taste Kokuto is like an awakening! It is not sweet like you expect sugar to be. It is almost savory, with hints of molasses, earthy tones, and even a rich subtle touch of tobacco on the top of the edge of the back of the tongue. It is full of complexities with many flavor hits and hints. 

It is most often used for savory dishes like noodles soups, stir-fry, hot pots and sushi rice. And of course straight up, like a health pill of sugar. 

How great is this? Pop some sugar and get healthy!


 

Reviews

Average Rating:
(based on 3 reviews)
Delicious, Unique Specialized Sugar
I've not yet tried to cook with this sugar - specifically in savory dishes. However, straight out of the bag it is a special experience - very gratifying and refined in its flavors. Sometimes I'll pick out a small "pebble" of the sugar to have a treat. Yes, the flavors are complex and surprising - just as the description says. It's a bit pricey, but considering how labor intensive and specialized it is to make, well worth the cost.
by Maryanne
Delicious and Healthy
My husband loves cinnamon sugar with his French toast. I used to make it with white sugar and cinnamon. Now I replace most of the white sugar with this amazing brown sugar and he loves it and I feel better about him eating it. Don't bake often but always replace the called for brown sugar with this Japanese sugar and the taste is always better.
by Pat McDonald
Kokuto Murakami Syouten Crushed Brown Sugar from Hateruma Island
This is delicious ! Learned about it on a show about the island on NHK TV, by far the tastiest sugar i've ever had, makes ordinary "brown sugar" taste like nothing, great in espresso, on toast or mostly just eating it like really good candy !
by jak