Kanzuri: innovating through fermentation on snow since 1966
Fermented togarashi pepper on snow. Source: Myoko Tourism.
Located in Niigata Prefecture, the family-run business Kanzuri has been specializing in beautiful spice blends since 1966. Its flagship product, which bears the same name, “kanzuri”, is a red togarashi pepper paste blended with yuzu and fermented for 3 years. This unique creation is recognized nationally and internationally for its balance of umami and spiciness.
Niigata Prefecture, famous for its heavy snowfall, has long produced unique foods and flavor combinations. Due to harsh winter conditions, locals had limited mobility, restricted access to marketplaces, and fewer imports from other regions. To preserve food, they began storing it under snow to keep it fresh and long-lasting. This, combined with the use of rice koji (fermented rice and soybeans used as a yeast), started as a necessity but evolved into a signature Niigata flavor now sought after across Japan. The laborious process of preparing Kanzuri paste can be summarized as follows:
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Harvesting & Preparing Chili Peppers: fresh togarashi chili peppers, grown in the town of Myoko in Niigata, are harvested by hand. Only pristine peppers make the cut. They are then cleaned and salted with natural sea salt.
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Fermentation on snow: between January and March, harvested peppers are fermented on snow for a period of 3 to 4 days. The snow will absorb the excess salt as well as remove bitterness and mellow the spiciness of the peppers.
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Blending & Maturation: After fermentation, the peppers are blended into a paste with yuzu peels, salt and rice koji yeast. The mixture is left to ferment for 3 years to achieve a good balance of umami and sweetness.
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Packaging: Once the paste reaches its optimal flavor, it's packaged for sale.
The result is a unique, spicy, and flavorful paste that can be used in various dishes for seasoning or as a condiment.
How to use Kanzuri paste?
Nothing’s simpler! This subtle citrus flavored pepper paste is a great match for meat, fries and vegetable dishes.
