TOKYO, May 08 (News On Japan) –
With matcha going through shortages amid a worldwide growth, consideration is now turning to a different conventional Japanese ingredient: yomogi.
Known in English as Japanese mugwort, yomogi is a perennial plant from the chrysanthemum household that grows all through Japan, from Hokkaido to Okinawa. Long valued for its medicinal properties and flexibility, it’s sometimes called the “queen of herbs.”
Traditionally utilized in meals similar to yomogi mochi and kusa mochi, the herb can also be consumed in teas and utilized in practices similar to yomogi steaming, which is believed to assist heat the physique.
As yomogi reaches its peak season, a rising variety of associated merchandise are showing throughout Japan.
Convenience retailer chains are introducing seasonal gadgets together with Seven-Eleven’s “Yomogi-Scented Grass Mochi” and FamilyMart’s yomogi steamed bread, whereas donut specialty chain Floresta has been promoting yomogi donuts between March and May, whereas provides final.
According to Floresta, the donuts have develop into particularly in style resulting from their uncommon taste, nostalgic attraction, and chewy texture. The chain famous that whereas yomogi merchandise as soon as attracted primarily older clients, youthful customers have more and more begun buying them as properly.
Industry observers say yomogi is now drawing consideration worldwide as a possible various to matcha, whose hovering world demand has led to provide shortages and better costs.
Uenochu, an organization that sells yomogi powder and associated merchandise, stated its cargo quantity in 2025 reached the best degree on file. Adviser Akifushi Ueno stated the corporate may “feel the signs of a boom” and described the development as thrilling.
The rising reputation can also be seen at specialty cafes and dessert outlets, the place youthful clients are more and more selecting yomogi-based drinks and sweets.
Caster Mai Demizu stated she has lengthy loved yomogi mochi and recurrently retains varied sorts of brown rice mochi at house, together with yomogi variations, however added that she had not realized the herb may very well be utilized in so many different methods.
“The unique bitterness becomes strangely addictive,” she stated.
Some outlets at the moment are putting yomogi on the heart of totally new creations.
Taiyaki store Tomoean in Tokyo’s Suginami Ward is at the moment promoting a limited-edition “Yomogi Shiratama Taiyaki,” which the shop says has develop into its hottest seasonal taiyaki taste.
The pastry comprises yomogi combined into each the shiratama rice dumplings and the candy pink bean paste filling, giving it an particularly concentrated natural taste. Store employees jokingly described it as “almost entirely grass.”
To make sure the yomogi aroma stands out even towards the sturdy taste of chunky pink bean paste, the store makes use of finely chopped younger yomogi leaves slightly than powder, mixing them immediately into the shiratama and bean paste.
Yomogi can also be making its manner into drinks.
A craft beer referred to as “Tokujou – Yomogi Kaoru” has lately appeared, providing aromas harking back to kusa mochi together with a stability of sweetness and gentle bitterness from the herb.
The beer is being served in choose programs at SVB Tokyo in Shibuya Ward, the place employees suggest pairing it with meat dishes topped with cherry blossom jam, making a taste stated to resemble sakura mochi.
Source: TBS