Autumn in Japan is not only filled with beautiful autumn leaves, but also with delicious food that satisfies both body and mind. There are many seasonal ingredients, such as saury, chestnuts, and matsutake mushrooms, but this time we will focus on a particularly unique ingredient that is a special symbol of Japan's autumn food culture: the ginkgo nut.

For Japanese people, ginkgo nuts are a hidden star, heralding the arrival of autumn with their fragrant and deep flavor. We will introduce their appeal and ways to enjoy ginkgo nuts in a way that is unique to Japan.

1. What is a ginkgo? The true identity of this mysterious nut

Ginkgo nuts are the seeds of the ginkgo tree. Ginkgo trees are found all over the world, but in Japan they are particularly planted in parks and along roads, where they turn yellow in the fall, creating a beautiful landscape. Ginkgo nuts are what fall from these trees.

Ginkgo nuts actually have a slightly peculiar smell. This is the outer flesh of the fruit, and what you eat is the inner white shell, with the flesh carefully removed. When you crack open this shell, you'll find a beautiful jade-like green fruit. This beautiful green color is one of the ginkgo's greatest charms.

Japanese people have been cooking and eating ginkgo nuts since ancient times. Their unique flavor and chewy texture are unlike any other food.

2. History and Culture of Ginkgo

It is said that ginkgo nuts became established in Japanese food culture during the Heian period (794-1185). At the time, they were used as medicine and enjoyed by the nobility as a precious food ingredient.

Later, during the Edo period (1603-1868), it became widely eaten by the common people, especially as an ingredient in chawanmushi and takikomi gohan, becoming a staple ingredient on the autumn table.

Ginkgo trees are deeply connected to the changing seasons and people's lives.

A special way to enjoy ginkgo nuts

Cooking ginkgo nuts is surprisingly simple, but that simplicity is packed with wisdom that brings out the natural flavor of the nuts to the fullest.

・Grilled ginkgo nuts

This is the simplest way to eat ginkgo nuts, allowing you to directly enjoy their fragrant aroma. Roast them slowly in a frying pan or on a wire rack with the shells still on. When the shells pop, they're ready to eat. Peel them while they're still hot, sprinkle a little salt on them, and you'll enjoy a fragrant aroma filling your mouth and a chewy texture. They're popular as a snack to go with alcohol at izakayas and at home.

・Chawanmushi (savory egg custard)

Kintaro Sushi Komagome Station Branch Chawanmushi (with sea urchin) https://tenposstar.com/ja/merchant/66e7e253eaeb5

This is a traditional Japanese steamed dish. Dashi is added to beaten eggs, and then ginkgo nuts are added along with chicken, kamaboko (fish cake), shiitake mushrooms, and other ingredients before being steamed. The chewy texture and subtle bitterness of the ginkgo nuts add depth to the smooth chawanmushi, and the beautiful green color of the ginkgo nuts also adds a touch of elegance to the appearance.

・Ginkgo rice

This dish, made by cooking ginkgo nuts together with rice, is a representative autumn dish. The gentle fragrance and chewy texture of the ginkgo nuts blend beautifully with the sweetness of the rice. It is often simply seasoned with salt and soy sauce, allowing you to fully enjoy the natural flavor of the ginkgo nuts. Cooking rice with seasonal ginkgo nuts during the new rice season is a luxurious way of enjoying rice that is unique to Japan.

・Fried ginkgo nuts

These are peeled ginkgo nuts that are deep-fried as they are. The crispy texture and concentrated ginkgo aroma make for an addictively delicious dish. They are delicious just with a sprinkle of salt, but they can also be mixed into fried chicken batter or made into tempura.

3. Important points to know about ginkgo nuts

Ginkgo nuts are not only delicious, but also rich in nutrients, including vitamin C, potassium, and dietary fiber, and are said to be good for your health.

However, ginkgo nuts contain a substance called "ginkgolic acid," and eating too many can cause symptoms similar to food poisoning, such as dizziness, nausea, and convulsions. Children in particular should be careful, as even small amounts can have an effect. For adults, it is recommended to enjoy no more than 10 nuts per day.

By knowing this, you can enjoy the deliciousness of ginkgo nuts more safely.

summary

Ginkgo trees reflect Japan's rich natural environment and the Japanese culture of cherishing and enjoying its bounty. Seeing the ginkgo trees lining the streets turn golden yellow, feeling the depths of autumn, picking up fallen ginkgo nuts and enjoying their fragrant taste. The charm of Japan is packed into such ordinary everyday life.

The unique flavor and chewy texture of ginkgo nuts may be a new experience for many foreigners, but this "new taste" will surely teach you a little about Japan's delicate food culture.

If you have the opportunity to visit Japan in autumn, be sure to order chawanmushi or grilled ginkgo nuts at a Japanese restaurant or izakaya. From just one nut, you can experience the profound aroma of autumn in Japan and a sense of gratitude towards nature.