Just sprinkle "POWDER 8", an amazing powder grown in the northern land...

A new type of spice "POWDER 8" that makes cooking delicious

Summer is almost over and it's fall's turn.
There may be people who refrained from going out during the summer due to the coronavirus, and those who want to enjoy nature outdoors and camping in the fall. Therefore, it is perfect not only for those who have the opportunity to cook outdoors, but also for everyday dining!

Introducing our unique items. Since "STEEP" picks it up, it's definitely something related to snowy mountains and skiing/snowboarding. It is a spice named "POWDER 8". It's MADE IN HOKKAIDO, and the name and packaging are really interesting.

"POWDER 8" is an outdoor seasoning that blends spiced garlic and herb holy basil (Tulsi) from Hokkaido. Easy to use, just sprinkle it on the finished dish. The unique flavor, which is a blend of the punchy aroma of garlic and the gentle scent of herbs, is a completely new sensation.

Goes with anything! Incredible versatility

It goes well with a variety of dishes such as barbecue, smoke, salads, paella, pasta, and ajillo.

From the standard menu for outdoor cooking, it is also very useful for home recipes. Surprisingly, it's also delicious with egg-cooked rice. It is also correct to put it on top of melted cheese. Furthermore, convenience store foods such as cup noodles, and even eating out can be sprinkled with it to enhance the taste, and the combinations are endless. (Since it is palm-sized, you can carry it with you. If you feel like it.)

How POWDER 8 was made

"POWDER 8" is actually a hot item that debuted on August 1, 2020.

It was produced by Masafumi Ikeda, who runs the Maruhachi Ikeda Farm, a tourist farm for chestnuts and herbs in Kuriyama Town, Hokkaido. Mr. Ikeda's farm specializes in growing herbs, and with a friend who grows garlic, I discovered that if you mix herbs and garlic, it's delicious over anything. He said, "The name of the farm is 'Maruhachi', and we are making seasoning powder = powder, so let's make the name and package with '8'!" It is said that he did

A discerning process that puts the pride of the farmer at stake

All raw materials are produced on our own farm.

We do not use any pesticides or fertilizers and grow everything naturally. Everything from cultivation to processing is done by hand. “We are farmers, so we are very particular about this,” says Mr. Ikeda. The first product in the POWDER 8 series, GARLIC & TULSI, is made from naturally grown garlic, which is hard to find on the market, and tulsi (holy basil), which is called a miracle herb among herb fans.

It is a so-called additive-free dry powder that does not contain any extras other than crushing and powdering the two.

Despite this, the deep aroma and taste spreads out, and behind that, there was a development episode that repeated trial production and tasting many times to come up with an exquisite balance of ingredients. Actually, there are still episodes.

Farmhouse in summer, patrol in snowy mountains in winter

The producer, Mr. Ikeda, is a skier after all!
He patrols the farm in the summer and the nearby Mt. Racey ski resort in the winter.

“The patrol job allows me to do what I love, skiing, and I have been doing it for 13 seasons because I feel that I may be able to help someone with my skiing so far,” he says. I asked Mr. Ikeda, who knows all about Mt. Racey, how good it is.

"The appeal of Mt. Racey is that the course layout is fun. There are steep slopes with uncompacted snow, permanent poles, and a wide range of courses in the woods. The first compacted snow course in the morning is the best. There are few people!

How to enjoy the rich aroma nurtured by the great nature of Hokkaido

Since it is a spice, it can of course be used as a seasoning during cooking, but Mr. Ikeda recommends, "Sprinkle it on your food just before eating."

Excellent compatibility with meat, fish, vegetables, and various ingredients. Why don't you try it with Japanese, Western, Chinese, ethnic, and all genres of cuisine? A spice box for camping and barbecues, a souvenir that makes you feel the snow in Hokkaido, a gift for someone who likes skiing, and a dining table at home. From now on, the lineup of flavors will increase, so I am looking forward to it along with the package design.