Benefits– category –

Japanese short-grain rice is held to replenish how the Spleen and Stomach work and to ease poor digestion and tiredness. It is worth bringing in when you have no appetite or want to rebuild your strength. Used in porridge or a soup it is gentle on the gut and suits replenishing nourishment.

Loquat is the classic fruit of early summer, and can be looked to for moistening the Lung and easing a dry throat. It settles how the stomach works and encourages digestion, which makes it exactly right for the hot season. Eaten as it is, or made into jam or a smoothie, it brings a fresh taste to the everyday table.

Persimmon is held to clear heat and moisten the Lung, which suits the season when a dry throat and dryness are on your mind. It can also be looked to for replenishing the body's fluids and easing a dry mouth and an odd feeling in the throat. Eaten in season as it is, or made into a dessert, it helps with seasonal care.

Pear comes into season from the end of summer into autumn, and its juiciness is its appeal. Seen through yakuzen, it is held to ease discomfort in the throat and Lung in the dry season. It works as juice, as a dessert and in salads, so it is worth bringing in at the turn of the season.

Bamboo shoot comes into season in spring, and can be looked to for clearing excess heat from the body and moistening the intestines to settle the bowels. It is also said to help with skin trouble and to release toxins. It is an all-purpose spring vegetable that works simmered, in rice and much else. Cook it while fresh and enjoy the taste of the season.

Kombu is the seaweed the Japanese table cannot do without, and can be looked to for settling circulation and clearing excess damp from the body. It is also said to hold down fat levels and steady blood pressure. Bringing it into everyday cooking helps support healthy eating.

Nori is an ingredient Japanese food culture cannot do without, and can be looked to for settling circulation. It is held to be useful in humid seasons and when you want to clear excess heat. It keeps easily and works in a great many dishes, so do bring it to your table.

Barley is an ingredient that can be looked to for settling the gut and clearing excess heat and fluid. It is exactly right for the summer heat and humid weather. It is easy to cook and easy to bring to the everyday table, and it supports healthy living. Do try barley in season.

Turnip comes into season in winter and can be looked to for settling the gut. Gentle in taste and soft in texture, it works in a great many dishes. Bringing it to the everyday table supports healthy eating. Do try it in season.

Arrowhead is a vegetable that suits replenishing nourishment in the winter season. It can be looked to for regulating the flow of blood and easing what has stalled in the body. Cooked well it makes a dish full of flavour, so do bring it to your winter table.