Food · Fermented foods

Taranome (Japanese Angelica Tree Shoots)

たらのめ (Taranome)

Also known as: Taranome, Angelica tree shoots, Aralia elata buds, 楤の芽, Taranoki shoots

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At a glance

CategoryFood
Japanese labeling nameたらのめ
Common Japanese notationsたらのめ, 楤の芽, タラノメ
OriginSpring buds and shoots of Aralia elata (the Japanese angelica tree); wild-foraged and cultivated; principal modern cultivation region Yamagata; spring sansai mountain vegetable
Typical functionsSpring sansai mountain vegetable — premium foraged specialty, Tempura ingredient (the canonical sansai tempura), Foodservice spring seasonal signature
Regulatory status in JapanStandard agricultural product labeling. Spring seasonal positioning. Not a designated allergen.

Taranome (たらのめ / 楤の芽) is the spring buds and shoots of Aralia elata (Japanese angelica tree), one of Japan's most prestigious sansai (spring mountain vegetables). The OEM positioning is premium spring specialty: as a tempura ingredient (the canonical sansai tempura — taranome no tempura is iconic), as a foodservice spring seasonal signature, and as a kaiseki specialty. Yamagata is the leading cultivation region, with wild foraging continuing.

Classification

Tags below link to other ingredients sharing the same attribute, so you can pivot from one ingredient to its peers.

Functions

Regulatory tags

Used in (typical product categories)

Finished-product categories that commonly include this ingredient in Japanese-market formulations.

  • Fresh taranome (very brief spring season, March-May)
  • Frozen taranome (extending availability)

What it is

Taranome is the young buds of Aralia elata, harvested in spring before fully unfurling. The buds have a slightly bitter, herbal flavor with distinctive aromatic profile.

Production: Yamagata leads modern cultivation; wild foraging in Tohoku and Hokuriku mountains.

Typical uses in Japanese products

Tempura — the canonical application.

Ohitashi and traditional preparations.

Spring kaiseki ingredient.

For OEM: fresh taranome retail (spring seasonal), frozen taranome retail, premium foodservice ingredient supply.

Regulatory classification in Japan

Standard food labeling. Spring seasonal vegetable. Not a designated allergen.

Regulatory classification in other markets

EUNiche specialty positioning.
USANiche specialty positioning.
ChinaNiche specialty positioning.
KoreaKorea has its own dureup-namul (두릅나물) tradition.

Example products

Example finished products will be added after verification of regional origin.

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Related ingredients

References

  1. MEXT Standard Tables of Food Composition — たらのめ

Last updated: 2026-04-28. Ingredient entries are reviewed at least annually against current regulatory listings.

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