Do you know Kuzu (aka Kudzu)? Well, it is a traditional starch that is extracted from the roots of the kuzu plant (a member of the pea family and the largest root in the world) which is native to Japan and China. In Japan, Kuzu is commonly regarded as the healthiest cooking starch or jelling agent, and is used for its endless health and beauty benefits! Also, for thousands of years, kuzu root has been one of 50 essential herbs used in Chinese medicine for its medicinal properties!
Huge Kuzu root- The largest in the world!
Kuzu Health Benefits
You might notice that I use Kuzu frequently in my home cooking from my Instagram, I also use kuzu in some of my cooking class too! Why do I use a lot? Because Kuzu is the only ALKALISING starch, while other starches like potato, corn and tapioca are all ACIDIC!
We make medicinal platter using Kuzu at Japanese superfoods as medicine class!
I also use Kuzu for many other health and beauty benefits, studied by researchers which is that;
KUZU MAY HELP TO:
- alleviate cold and fever symptoms
- contribute to prevention of cancer (exhibit anti-tumor activity in breast cancer, prostate cancer, colon cancer, ovarian cancer)
- reduce inflammatory conditions
- lower blood pressure
- prevent atherosclerosis
- relieve allergic reaction
- lower cholesterol
- Reduce alcohol dependence
- Treat liver damage
- Alleviate menopausal syndrome
- Reduce inflammation
- Promote heart health
- Reduce severe headaches
Main reasons why I use kuzu!
For me, as I am in my early 50s, I am using Kuzu to alleviate menopause syndrome. Thankfully I am very active and didn’t have bad symptoms like hot flushes until now. I also use Kuzu for overall health including flu preventions. When I feel like I am coming down with something, I take kuzu a lot to avoid getting sick.
The amazing news is that…
It’s very simple to use! Kuzu is primarily used in Japan to make wagashi (traditional Japanese sweets), sesame tofu, and home cures. However, it can also be used as a thickener for sauces, gravies, pies, pudding, and stir-fries in place of flour, arrowroot starch, potato starch, or tapioca starch. You must look out for genuine kuzu, as many brands offer fake kuzu which is usually made from sweet potato and tapioca starch. A really good, genuine brand is Spiral Foods!
I only use REAL Organic kuzu at home and in my cooking classes! (Yes, fake Kuzu does exist!)
If you want to start using kuzu and experience the amazing benefits, Check out my Japanese superfoods cookbook that has many recipes which use kuzu!
DO YOU NEED HEALTHY VEGAN COOKING INSPIRATIONS?
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Plant Based Cookbooks
If you want to cook more easy and tasty Japanese vegan meals using Japanese superfoods – real key for Japanese health, please grab my vegan cookbook “Japanese Superfoods” or “Top 3 Japanese Superfoods for Natural Weightloss” or even better, you can have “Japanese Superfoods combo deal” to master Japanese Superfoods.
