Instant Noodle Scare in Japan

[Kenzan]

Don't eat that cup of instant noodles without reading this first (http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_asiapacific/view/385083/1/.html).

All in all, pesticides content found.

Soylent Green content however, still remains a mystery.

[Kenzan]

A Ramen Haiku...


Satin noodles

Steam and onion froth

unknown flotsam and shrimpy bits

GLlArrrRRRGGgggGGGGGGGG!







Too soon?

[Kagerou]

Basically we can't eat anything now. The other day it was eggs. Before that red bean paste. The message....China is bad, only buy your food from 100% real Japanese farms. This is what happens when the agriculture industry has problems....blame someone everyone hates anyways.

[Maku-san]

I was so upset when I read Kenzan-san's posted warning, I spewed my noodles out from my side gills!

Mark :evolved:

[8bitouija]

I was about to say "Good thing I only buy Mr. Noodles" (it's the most popular ramen brand in Canada), but upon wiki-ing it I found it's made in China :B

At least this company was in Japan? rather than Chinese-made noodles this time...

[Alison2805]

A Ramen Haiku...


Satin noodles

Steam and onion froth

unknown flotsam and shrimpy bits

GLlArrrRRRGGgggGGGGGGGG!







Too soon?

must spread rep blah blah blah... :laugh:

[kurisu]

Basically we can't eat anything now. The other day it was eggs. Before that red bean paste. The message....China is bad, only buy your food from 100% real Japanese farms. This is what happens when the agriculture industry has problems....blame someone everyone hates anyways.

I watched a special on this a couple years back. A TV crew went into diffrent Japanese dwellings and remved everything that was connected with China. There was little left in all the houses.

[Kagerou]

I watched a special on this a couple years back. A TV crew went into diffrent Japanese dwellings and remved everything that was connected with China. There was little left in all the houses.

rice and miso soup....

[Kenzan]

rice and miso soup....

~Both of which probably come from California.

Daaaaamn Japan,
You scary!

[xvikingx]

I don't know about the miso but I can assure the rice doesn't come from California. The rice industry is well protected in Japan.

[JSchmidt]

I don't know about the miso but I can assure the rice doesn't come from California. The rice industry is well protected in Japan.

Hmm? I thought the majority was imported from California?.
(edit)
Quick google shows that it does:


It goes on to state “Considering that Japan accounts for roughly half of all California rice export sales, or the equivalent of between 20% and 25% of California’s annual rice production, loss of the Japanese market could significantly impact the California rice industry.”
http://www.seedquest.com/News/releases/2007/february/18490.htm

[xvikingx]

I was under the impression that the Japanese rice industry was well protected and that only a small amount was imported from foreign countries. Facts are often skewed here; perhaps these are Japanese owned farms in California so they don’t consider them imports. Or maybe I’m just wrong!

[JSchmidt]

I was under the impression that the Japanese rice industry was well protected and that only a small amount was imported from foreign countries. Facts are often skewed here; perhaps these are Japanese owned farms in California so they don’t consider them imports. Or maybe I’m just wrong!

AFAIK, it is protected and heavily subsidized, but doesn't produce anywhere near enough. (And is still a lot more expensive than Californian rice).

[xvikingx]

And is still a lot more expensive than Californian rice
Boy howdy...
Thankfully my wife's Aunt is a rice farmer.

[Alison2805]

Hmm? I thought the majority was imported from California?.
(edit)
Quick google shows that it does:


http://www.seedquest.com/News/releases/2007/february/18490.htm

Keep in mind that it says "half of Californian rice exports", not "half of the rice consumed in Japan". Theres a biiiiiig difference there....

[Kenzan]

Keep in mind that it says "half of Californian rice exports", not "half of the rice consumed in Japan". Theres a biiiiiig difference there....

True, but since Cali produces a large amount of the world's grains, and since Rice production is enormous, and since most Californians don't eat all that much rice, it's a safe bet that a lot of that is going to export, and Japan is the prime candidate for our kick-ass, tasty rice.

In summation:

California Rice:
Om-nom-nom.

[Kagerou]

AFAIK Japan exports a lot of rice to other countries and imports different varieties into the country. So technically they are selfsufficient if they keep all they make to themselves.

[metabug]

Rule of thumb, just don't use the same water you cook noodle with for soup stock.

[xvikingx]

Japan is the prime candidate for our kick-ass, tasty rice.
Yeah because Japan is the only rice consuming nation in SE Asia....

[Kenzan]

Yeah because Japan is the only rice consuming nation in SE Asia....

True, but considering the high standards of quality that the Japanese have, and considering that our rice ain't so cheap, well, you get the point.

[xvikingx]

The Cal rice quality really varies as well as the price. A trip to Marukai will show you that. One that comes to mind is New Rose, which I remember was not very good (too much talc). You also have to keep in mind that the Japanese pretty much only eat that certain short grain white rice. The variety that you really encounter is how well polished it is after harvest. California produces many different varieties, how much of that is short grain white rice I don’t know.

[Kenzan]

AFAIK Japan exports a lot of rice to other countries and imports different varieties into the country. So technically they are selfsufficient if they keep all they make to themselves.

That may well be true, but it sounds dubious, considering all the recent flim-flammery the Japanese Department of Agriculture made with the rice markets.

In any case, this changes little the fact that California is

















AWESOME

[xvikingx]

the recent flim-flammery the Japanese Department of Agriculture made with the rice markets.
Well that doesn't mean that these farms just up and disappear or stop growning.













Why am I discussing international rice trade?

[Kenzan]

The Cal rice quality really varies as well as the price. A trip to Marukai will show you that.

One that comes to mind is New Rose, which I remember was not very good (too much talc). You also have to keep in mind that the Japanese pretty much only eat that certain short grain white rice. The variety that you really encounter is how well polished it is after harvest.


Agreed, New Rose is crap. But keep in mind, many premium qualities are grown here as well.

(Which reminds me, it costs about $20 for a 20 lb bag of super galactic premium quality rice.
Hell, for 20 bucks, it'd better be.

[Kenzan]

Why am I discussing international rice trade?

I dunno.
Maybe because that's what you get paid in?


BAM!

:laugh:

[xvikingx]

many premium qualities are grown here as well.
Oh, I agree. A lot of Japanese will say they can tell the difference but I’d like to give them the ol’ Pepsi challenge.

[metabug]

I've bought a bag of such "super galactic premium quality rice" recently and I couldn't tell the difference, and I've being eating rice my whole life. They are really clean though, you don't have to wash them for rocks or sand.

[Kenzan]

I've bought a bag of such "super galactic premium quality rice" recently and I couldn't tell the difference, and I've being eating rice my whole life. They are really clean though, you don't have to wash them for rocks or sand.

I assume from Marukai?
Speaking of which, what's the deal with all the expired dry goods?
I bought a bag of Ebi-chips recently that was older than my daughter!

[JoonShik]

this is why Korean noodles rule the world!

[swyn]

Oh, I agree. A lot of Japanese will say they can tell the difference but I’d like to give them the ol’ Pepsi challenge.

I used to be able to tell the difference when I was new to the U.S. but not anymore... my next trip to Japan will be interesting. (After 8 years of not visiting at all!)

Yuko

[Kenzan]

this is why Korean noodles rule the world!

Cardboard is yummy.

[Rennis]

From what I recall, Japan does buy a ton of US rice as part of keeping their side of the deal with some trade agreements, but the majority of it just ends up sitting in warehouses and isn't sold as your basic "at the dinner table" rice (that's where the protecting of the Japanese farmer comes in). The bulk of it just rots or gets sold off for things like sake production, use in processed foods, etc. That said, I know several rice farmers up here and while some of them are pretty well off, all of them say that rice prices just keep getting worse and worse for them and they aren't making anything close to what they used to.

[Maku-san]

Cardboard is yummy.

Cardboard with furukaki is even more so yummy! :)

[sive2006]

I basically live off of fruits and veggies, Green tea, Water, Rice, Fish, and healthy homemade soups xD.

[chidokan]

I just eat meat and chocolate. Anything else is bad for you....unless it has chocolate on it.

[Kenzan]

Cardboard with furukaki is even more so yummy! :)

Furukaki?

Isn't that someone's name?

You choppin' up the locals and eating their livers with a nice Chianti or what?

Or did you mean Furikake?

Because there's nothing better on Cardboard that some Furry-Cake.

[Kenzan]

I basically live off of fruits and veggies...

So, You're infamous at Hospitals and Bathhouses then?



















BAM!

[kurisu]

On the subject of Japan and rice, I recall this no so long ago:

http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=43945

[Kenzan]

On the subject of Japan and rice, I recall this no so long ago:

http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=43945

No way that tainted rice was from the U.S.
I'd say the Dept of Agriculture is covering his butt to hide the fact he embezzled millions for his Soap-Land addiction.