Wakame and Japanese
Wakame and Japanese
Wakame has been consumed for thousands of years in Japan. What was believed to be wakame residue was found in clay pottery made in 3,000 B.C and has been believed to be enjoyed ever since.
Wakame as a Tax
Wakame was enjoyed since, but oldest law drafted in Japan on 701A.C, "Taiho Ritsuryo" stated Wakame to be used as a tax as well as Nori and Arame.
Due to this act, Wakame was consumed at imperial court and shrines while the surplus were sold at the market.
Wakame in Food Culture
Wakame in Food Culture
A reason why imperial court took wakame and kombu as a tax is due to its high nutrients. At the time, there was not many vegetable harvest and most nutrients were from wildflowers and seaweeds.
Seaweeds were processed into many different dishes in Japanese food to be enjoyed by nobleman and have affected great amount to the Japanese food culture. Still, more than 1,300 years have passed and the influence to Japanese cuisine still exist.
Seaweed Encyclopedia - Wakame -
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