Food · Fermented foods
Tsurumurasaki (Malabar Spinach)
つるむらさき (Tsurumurasaki)
Also known as: Tsurumurasaki, Malabar spinach, Basella alba, Basella rubra, 蔓紫
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| Category | Food |
|---|---|
| Japanese labeling name | つるむらさき |
| Common Japanese notations | つるむらさき, 蔓紫, ツルムラサキ |
| Origin | Malabar spinach (Basella alba / B. rubra), a tropical/subtropical climbing vine; modern domestic Japanese cultivation in summer months in various regions |
| Typical functions | Summer leafy green — heat-tolerant alternative to spinach, Mucilaginous quality similar to okra and natto, Ohitashi and salads |
| Regulatory status in Japan | Standard agricultural product labeling. Summer seasonal. Not a designated allergen. |
Tsurumurasaki (つるむらさき / 蔓紫) is Malabar spinach (Basella alba/B. rubra), a tropical climbing vine grown in Japan as a summer leafy green and heat-tolerant alternative to spinach. The OEM positioning is summer seasonal vegetable with distinctive mucilaginous quality.
Classification
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Product applications
Functions
Regulatory tags
Origin
Used in (typical product categories)
Finished-product categories that commonly include this ingredient in Japanese-market formulations.
- Fresh tsurumurasaki (summer seasonal)
What it is
Tsurumurasaki is Basella alba / B. rubra, a tropical climbing vine. The leaves and young stems are mucilaginous when cooked.
Production: summer seasonal Japanese cultivation in various regions.
Typical uses in Japanese products
Ohitashi — boiled and dressed.
Sauteed and added to soups.
Heat-tolerant summer green substitute for spinach.
For OEM: fresh summer seasonal retail.
Regulatory classification in Japan
Standard food labeling. Not a designated allergen.
Regulatory classification in other markets
| EU | Imported as Malabar spinach. Niche specialty. |
|---|---|
| USA | Niche specialty in Asian cuisine. |
| China | China has substantial Malabar spinach (落葵) tradition. |
| Korea | Niche specialty positioning. |
Example products
Example finished products will be added after verification of regional origin.
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Sharing similar functions
Ingredients that overlap on functional benefit tags.
From the same origin
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References
- MEXT Standard Tables of Food Composition — つるむらさき
Last updated: 2026-04-28. Ingredient entries are reviewed at least annually against current regulatory listings.