On Thursday, October 8th, JASH kicked off its participation in the 2020 #OnigiriAction campaign by celebrating onigiri’s main ingredient – rice.
“Okome no Gakko” or “School of Rice” was presented in partnership with SATAKE USA, Inc. to provide insight into Japan’s rice culture.
SATAKE USA, Inc. President and CEO, Mr. Motoharu “Max” YOSHIMASA greeted guests and shared information about the company.
SATAKE Corporation, which was founded in 1896, produced Japan’s first milling machine and has been leading post-harvest technology ever since. SATAKE was introduced to the US market in 1960, and in 1980, SATAKE USA, Inc. was established in Houston. As SATAKE USA, Inc. celebrates the 40th anniversary of the establishment of its Houston office, they continue to dominate market share in their industry. Satake has retained a market share of over 95% in US, which essentially means SATAKE has been milling all rice produced in the US for the past 60 years. Their technology is also now utilized for wheat, corn and soybeans and in many other industries.
While the leading provider of technology for the processing of rice and grain, SATAKE actively supports sustainable agriculture and food education. In 2005, the company launched “Okome no Gakko” and has reached more than 10, 000 participants of all ages in Japan.
“This program offers opportunity to learn how rice carefully grown, how to process after harvesting, health benefit of eating rice.”
-Mr. YOSHIMASA, SATAKE USA, Inc. President & CEO
Following, YOSHIMASA-san's remarks, members of the SATAKE Group team from Hiroshima gave the first ever “Okome no Gakko” lecture in English for a US audience. Rice sommelier Naoji OTAKI, with the assistance of Ikuo NISHINA, provided an entertaining presentation covering rice structure, different varieties of rice, and rice cultivation in Japan. OTAKI-san and NISHINA-san also provided insight into post-harvest rice processing using Satake’s own advanced technology and shared the health benefits of rice along with tips for cooking and keeping storing rice.
“After my lecture, you will eat rice tasty and healthy. I believe that!”
- Mr. OTAKI, Rice Sommelier
We are delighted that, through “Okome no Gakko,” JASH was able to highlight the significance of rice in Japanese culture and promote healthy eating habits with rice at the core of one’s diet.