"Mai Fragrant Japanese Pepper" is crafted by Shoya Chuzaemon Honpo in Chikuhoku Village, Nagano Prefecture, by naturally drying their home-grown tree buds and leaves. It is a condiment designed to let you enjoy the gentle, wafting aroma of Japanese pepper in your daily cooking. Please add a small amount to your usual Japanese dishes, such as grilled items, simmered dishes, or soups.
Utilizing home-grown tree buds and leaves
Shoya Chuzaemon Honpo is a spice producer in Chikuhoku Village that grows its own chili peppers and Japanese pepper. "Mai" is carefully prepared by naturally drying the buds and leaves to preserve their fragrance. It is a product to be savored while appreciating the ingredients used and the care taken in their handling.
Add a small amount just before eating
Start with a modest amount on grilled or simmered dishes. By tasting the dish as is before adding the pepper, you can enjoy the transformation that occurs when the fragrance is introduced. Try adding a little at a time to soups as well, to find the amount that suits the day's meal and your personal preference.
As a condiment to enjoy the fragrance
For a dining table that focuses on the aroma of Japanese pepper, rather than just its numbing effect. You can try new combinations with just a dash at the end, without significantly changing the dish. Please take your time enjoying the scent of the buds and leaves as you vary the dishes you use it on, from grilled items and simmered dishes to soups.
