[Wada Man Co., Ltd.] November 5th is “Sesame Day”
Wadaman Co., Ltd. Press release: November 5, 2024 November 5th is “Sesame Day” Challenge to reduce sesame waste loss and improve domestic sesame self-sufficiency! Current status of Osaka’s long-established sesame maker “Delivering real deliciousness to the world” This is the idea of Wadaman Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture, President: Takehiro Wada), a sesame specialty manufacturer founded in 1883. It has been over 140 years since we were born in Tenma, Osaka, the kitchen of the world. Currently, in addition to processing and selling sesame, we are also working to reduce sesame waste and improve the self-sufficiency rate of domestically produced sesame. In 2023, we will also open a cafe “IRUAERU” where you can enjoy a sesame menu, and we are also taking on new possibilities. November 5th is “Sesame Day”. At this time, we have decided to introduce Wada Man’s past history, current business, what we would like to do in the future, and “current sesame” through this STORY. We are more sincere about sesame than anyone else, so we hope you can learn more about what we think and hope for every day. Wadaman Co., Ltd. Homepage
https://www.wadaman.com
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/152425/2/152425-2-e90dd9f12c0fa3e93d30908fdf42e63a-3900×2603.jpg Wadaman head office sales store “Manjirozo” About Wadaman Co., Ltd. We, Wadaman, are a sesame manufacturer headquartered in Kita Ward, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture. We manufacture and sell approximately 300 types of products using sesame seeds, including roasted sesame seeds, oil, dressings, furikake, and sweets. Wadaman’s products are currently exported to 13 countries including the United States, and overseas markets account for approximately 20% of sales. In
particular, in the United States and France, sesame has been incorporated into more than 30 starred chef salads, pasta, pizza, and other creative dishes, and Man Wada’s roasting techniques have received high praise. In April 2023, we will open the cafe “IRUAERU” (pictured) on the 1st floor of our head office, where we will offer delicious and healthy meals such as sesame latte and sesame monaka, as well as daily life-related workshops and painting exhibitions. We are also starting new challenges, such as providing a place where people can feel happy.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/152425/2/152425-2-ac05caccfd5eeb4117d79d38a1ab2fd9-1898×2700.jpg “Anything Gomanzoku” was born from the issue of sesame oil waste loss New product “Nandemo Sesame Manzoku” born from the challenge of reducing sesame waste loss Wadaman is currently tackling the waste of sesame seeds that occur during the roasting and processing process. During the sesame manufacturing process, 15 to 20% of the sesame seeds are wasted as the skins are peeled off and soil and branches are mixed in with the sesame seeds. Additionally, when producing sesame oil, approximately 70% of the sesame oil is discarded as pomace. However, since this pomace is rich in nutrients such as calcium, Wadaman thought it would be a waste to throw it away, and that it could be developed as a new food. Therefore, we reheated the previously discarded sesame residue, seasoned it with soy sauce, and developed Nandemo Gomanzoku, a versatile seasoning that can be used as a seasoning or furikake (photo). This “Nandemo Sesame Manzoku” can be easily used in a variety of cooking methods, such as stir-frying, mixing, and drizzling, and is suitable for a variety of dishes, both Japanese and Western. It is also recommended for those who are health conscious because it does not contain amino acids, yeast extract, or protein hydrolysates. It has been supported by many people since its release as a seasoning that provides a simple and delicious dish for the busy dining table. In this way, we continue to use our in-house wisdom to find ways to solve the problem of food waste and loss that occurs at food manufacturing sites before the products reach homes.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/152425/2/152425-2-664e3e10296c3f17cd7020008e2c68ce-3900×2909.jpg “Sesame owner system” to grow together with customers Challenge from 0.03% – Our mission as a sesame shop to improve the self-sufficiency rate of domestically produced sesame 0.03%. This number is the current sesame self-sufficiency rate in Japan. It is no exaggeration to say that sesame is now an essential part of the Japanese diet, but in reality, most of it is imported from overseas. Sesame cultivation is difficult to mechanize, and farmers tend to avoid it because it requires a lot of manual labor to remove non-sesame contaminants mixed in during harvesting. If the number of producers continues to decline, domestically produced sesame will disappear. With this sense of crisis in mind, Wadaman began cultivating sesame in-house. In 2001, we launched the “Domestic Sesame Project”. We have expanded our cultivation area by asking around 20 producers for contract
cultivation, including the largest production area, Kikaijima, Kagoshima Prefecture, as well as the main production areas of Kyushu, Shimane, Hyogo, and Toyama. As a result of these efforts, our annual production volume is now approximately 15 tons, and we now have a share of over 30% of domestic sesame production. Additionally, in 2009, we started a “Sesame Ownership System” in which Wadaman employees and customers grow sesame seeds in Nara Prefecture. By sharing the struggles and thoughts of producers within our company and with our customers, we continue to create a large circle for domestic sesame cultivation. Sesame continues to be used in Japanese food culture, such as sesame dressing and sesame tofu. Even though it’s Japanese food, it’s lonely in a world where sesame seeds are grown overseas. As a sesame manufacturer, Wada Man’s mission is to continue growing domestically produced sesame, even in small quantities, and we position this as an important initiative to preserve Japan’s food culture. Man Wada’s “Ambition” – Delivering true deliciousness to the world At Wada Man, we work every day with the desire to seriously consider each sesame seed, continue to refine our roasting techniques, and deliver products that make the people who eat them happy. To achieve this, we have established the following three pillars. 1. Grow in the field Wadaman launched the “Domestic Sesame Project” in 2001 and began cultivating sesame in-house in 2010. In Japan, where sesame cultivation is difficult, we continue to pursue quality and safety and increase the value of domestically produced sesame. 2. Roast your own food Wadaman’s roasting technique involves heating carefully selected raw sesame seeds to bring out their rich flavor and aroma, and “breathing life” into them. In order to provide high-quality sesame, we are very particular about the roasting process. 3. Communicate Wada Man wants to be an “explainer” who spreads the word about the deliciousness of sesame and how to prepare it. We are focusing on activities to convey the importance of sesame in Japanese cuisine, and to spread the value of sesame while preserving Japanese food culture. Through these efforts, we hope to realize Wada Man’s goal of “delivering true deliciousness to the world.” That is the mindset of all our employees. The future of Wada Man Wadaman aims to contribute to Japan’s food culture and health, and is tackling new challenges beyond its 140-year history. Wadaman continues to work to expand the possibilities of sesame while balancing tradition and innovation by reducing sesame waste and improving self-sufficiency. Wadaman would like to continue to be a company that provides joy and health to people all over the world through sesame. [Company Profile] Company name: Wadaman Co., Ltd. Head office location: 9-5 Sugawaramachi, Kita-ku, Osaka Representative Director: Takehiro Wada Business details: Manufacture and sale of sesame seeds. No. 1 in Japan for handling domestically produced sesame! Founded: 1883 HP:
https://www.wadaman.com