The craft of processing kuzu powder came to Japan, like so much else in Japanese culture, from China, but underwent further refinement over time. It is the traditional staple thickening agent in Japanese cuisine. Used much like cornstarch or arrowroot, Kuzu adds body to gravies and sauces and is also used as a simple home remedy for digestive tract irritations. In many instances of abdominal aches and intestinal irritation, a cup of simple kuzu cream (kuzu with umeboshi paste, shoyu, and fresh ginger juice) brings quick relief, particularly with children, who often do not like the taste of over-the-counter medications. Kuzu cream is also very useful against colds, stomach cramps, diarrhea, neutralizing stomach acidity, and relaxing tight muscles. Kuzu also contains a very high concentration of flavonoids, powerful natural antioxidants, which contribute to this plant’s strong medicinal effect on digestive and circulatory ailments. Flavonoids also inhibit the contraction of smooth muscle tissue, thereby increasing blood flow and relieving cramping in the intestines.

EMPEROR'S KITCHEN® Organic Authentic Kuzu is harvested and processed in the labor-intensive traditional way, which takes place beginning in December when the roots are swollen with starch. The roots are dug by hand, the starch is separated from the fibrous roots by repeated washing and straining, and the resulting mash is air-dried for sixty days. In a good year, the roots will have only 13% extractable starch.