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!