When I say 'Japan,' you probably think of millions of people living in technology overused Tokyo, the most crowded city in the world. Nevertheless, the Japanese region Sanriku, the home of MASAMI's main ingredient Mekabu, is the exact opposite. Sanriku is a stretch of coastline consisting of 300 kilometers along the Pacific Ocean marked with high rocky cliffs, marine terraces, sea caves, sea shelves, reefs, and it altogether represents a taste of irresistible natural beauty that Japan offers.
The northern part of Sanriku, often referred to as the "Alps of the Ocean," features sea cliffs that reach heights of 200 meters. These cliffs are rich in minerals that are washed directly off the cliff surface into the Pacific Ocean and in combination with plenty of natural light, encourage plankton to thrive.
Japan, comprised of 6,852 islands, is surrounded by an incredible variety of bodies of water. There are three currents embracing each other along the Sanriku coastline: The cold current, warm current via the Bering Sea and the Pacific Ocean, and the Tsugaru warm current, from the Sea of Japan, combine to form a current rip and features one of the purest water in the world.
These three currents bring plenty of nutrients to the Sanriku area, which is also enriched by nutrients brought from mountain rivers that flow down to waters surrounding Japan. The Sanriku coastline guarantees perfect conditions for providing outstanding wakame seaweed and the slimy goodness of Mekabu in our products.
Several coastal plant communities have developed in Sanriku, such as grasslands or numerous fields of various flowers like rhododendron. The Sanriku area is particularly important as a breeding ground for seabirds. Multiple bird species can be seen here, such as cormorants, eagles, black-tailed gull, shearwater, and osprey. A native member of local fauna is the kamoshika, a Japanese goat-antelope, also a national symbol of Japan.
Seaweed beds of Sanriku's unique water scenario also create a brilliant habitat for marine life. Various types of seasonal marine products like mackerel, saury, sardine, skipjack, albacore, salmon, and squid are widely caught here. Sanriku's water serves one of the three most productive fishing regions in the world and delivers delicious seafood and superb food of all the four Japanese seasons.
The Japanese seafood-based economy also includes harvesting the highest quality Wakame, and it provides sea farming jobs for most of the people living in the area. Japan is famous for exceedingly advanced techniques of sea farming, and it means that the ocean is treated very gently by local farmers who gladly take extra care while doing their jobs. `
We exclusively use Mekabu sourced directly from Japanese Wakame. We proudly collaborate with a local Japanese farming family that has already a 71 year history of seaweed farming and manufacturing. They are a responsible and well-named supplier of various seaweeds to chains of supermarkets for decades.
In Sanriku, people live hand-in-hand with nature, fully utilizing the blessings from the ocean. They value the islands' multifaceted characteristics and protect their biodiversity and diverse landscapes. There are many places practically untouched by humans with much to discover and offer.
Hydration is life!
James
