Collection: KUZU & STARCHES

Thanks to kuzu, dishes like stews, soups, desserts and drinks have a silky smooth texture and, at the same time, are the ideal fit for your tummy.

Why? What is kuzu?

Kuzu, also known as kudzu (Latin name Pueraria Lobata), is a fibrous climbing plant with heart-shaped leaves with a strong life. Massive kuzu roots with a length of 1 - 2 metres and weighing between 90 and 180 kilos are among the world's largest. 

Our kuzu starch comes from the wild kuzu plants growing in Japanese mountains. Farmers brought it to America in the 30', hoping the plant would control soil erosion and feed cattle. Kuzu grew fast, and it overgrew and became a major agricultural problem in the South in the 60' and 70'. Residents used to joke that returning from your holiday, you might find your house covered entirely under the kuzu vine plant.

Luckily, the special of this plant is that every part has a practical use: the roots for food and medicinal use in Oriental medicine, leaves for livestock feed, vines for cloth textiles, and flowers for ingredients in folk medicine. 

However, the best-known product of the kuzu plant is its starch. Kuzu starch is used as a binding agent, especially in Japanese, vegan and macrobiotic cuisine and is particularly effective for thickening soups, juices, pastries, desserts, sauces and stews.

Our kuzu starch, made from wild kuzu roots, is a far superior quality cooking starch than ordinary cornstarch, potato, wheat, or sweet potato starch. 


Kuzu daily
 
* is the unwashed, unfiltered variant of kuzu premium *.

Kuzu premium
 * is more powerful in terms of binding and strengthening and is more neutral in flavour.


Harvesting kuzu is time and energy-consuming, and many kuzu-finding sites are kept secret. Digging out the roots takes place between December and April and is done by hand with a shovel. This job has to be done carefully and requires a lot of manpower. As many as 300 diggers, also known as "horiko", are employed.

Japanese love nature and therefore follow nature's rules. Thus, the law is that "horiko" only dig up roots at least 20 years old, while younger roots are kept for years to come.


And then magic happens!

After harvesting, kuzu roots are rinsed, which our producer, the Hirohachido family company, has traditionally been doing for over 150 years. With great insight and generational expertise, they combine ancient Japanese techniques with natural processes. Much is done manually. For instance, each root is hand-cut into pieces, crushed into weasels, soaked and rinsed. The thick brown paste that results is washed several times and filtered in cold spring water until a pure white starch remains. This starch is then dried, chopped into small pieces and packed. 

This whole artisanal process creates a natural binding agent with extraordinary powers!

Traditionally, kuzu powder is used as a versatile thickener, first aid, and recovery food and by people in mountain regions as a replacement for rice and wheat. It was also a handy "food to go " for the samurai warriors. 

Kuzu is favoured for its neutral taste, delicate texture and ability to enhance the flavour of other ingredients.


With its exceptional nutrition and high effectiveness, particularly when accompanied by a balanced plant-based diet, kuzu:

  • is rich in minerals, therefore supporting your gut and its microbiome
  • has an estrogen-like effect beneficial for pre-menopausal and post-menopausal women
  • eases the symptoms of menopause, including headaches, hot flashes, and irregular bleeding
  • is helpful for increasing blood flow and oxygen supply to the brain and body
  • lowers blood pressure and reduces the chances of clotting and strokes
  • soothes and helps treat digestive cramping and diarrhoea and works for acute and chronic conditions
  • when taken several times a day, kuzu helps stabilize blood sugar level and improve glucose metabolism


Simply. 
Have always some kuzu at home and with you when you travel.
And use it regularly as we do!


Did you already try our ume-sho-kuzu drink and the sweet apple kuzu recipe?

Let us know how you like it.

4 products
  • Kuzu Root Starch, Daily Use *
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    from €11,95
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    from €11,95
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  • Kuzu Root Starch, Premium Quality *
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    from €24,95
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    from €24,95
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  • Arrowroot, Jar *
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    €3,55
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    €3,55
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  • Arrowroot, Refill, Plastic Tub *
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    €13,95
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    €13,95
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