Why source from Japan
Hokkaido Tokachi azuki has 100+ years of cultivar refinement specifically for wagashi end-use; cosmetic-grade extract pipeline established 2010s.
Key spec
Erimo cultivar dominant; protein 20-25%, dietary fibre 18-20%; cosmetic extract carries saponin 1-3%.
Typical end-product
Anko paste / dorayaki / daifuku for export confectionery; saponin-rich exfoliating cleansers.
At a glance
- Suppliers listed
- 2 suppliers
- Typical MOQ
- 100 kg dry beans; 10–50 kg paste; 1–10 kg cosmetic extract
- Typical lead time
- 4–8 weeks (food); 6–10 weeks (cosmetic extract)
- Regions of origin
- Hokkaido (Tokachi region — 75%), Tamba (Hyogo, premium), Niigata
- Category
- Food ingredients
- Harvest season
- September – October
- Japan regulatory status
- Food product; cosmetic seed extract JSCI-listed
- INCI name
- Vigna Angularis Seed Extract
- Japanese name
- 小豆
- Romaji
- Azuki
About this ingredient
A small red bean central to Japanese wagashi (mochi, dorayaki, anko paste) and increasingly used in cosmetic ingredients for its saponin-rich seed coat. Hokkaido produces ~75% of Japan's azuki by volume; the Tokachi region's 'Erimo' cultivar is the most-consumed variety in industrial wagashi production. Cosmetic-grade azuki seed extract appears in cleansing and exfoliating formulations on the back of saponin and polyphenol content.
Regulatory status
| Japan | Food product; cosmetic seed extract JSCI-listed |
|---|---|
| EU | Food import; CosIng listed (Vigna Angularis Seed Extract) |
| United States | GRAS for food; MoCRA cosmetic use |
| China | GACC food facility registration; verify |
Looking for alternatives?
Common reasons buyers swap to a different ingredient — and what we'd suggest based on this ingredient's profile.
Vegan / plant-based alternatives
Azuki (Adzuki Bean) is animal-derived. If you need a non-animal source with similar functions, consider:
Japanese Bamboo Charcoal
日本産竹炭
Phyllostachys edulis (Moso Bamboo); Hachiku Bamboo source; MOQ from 100g – 1kg (retail); 500g – 10kg+ (B2B wholesale).
Plant-based· shares 4 categories
Sansho Pepper
山椒
Zanthoxylum piperitum source; INCI Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract; MOQ from 1–10 kg (dried peppercorn); 100 g – 5 kg (powder).
Plant-based· shares 3 categories
Wasabi Powder
山葵粉末
Wasabia japonica (Eutrema japonicum) source; INCI Wasabia Japonica Root Powder; MOQ from 1–10 kg (powder); 100 kg+ (bulk paste).
Plant-based· shares 3 categories
Easier China regulatory path
Azuki (Adzuki Bean) faces a more restrictive regulatory pathway in China. These alternatives have a simpler status in that market:
Sansho Pepper
山椒
Zanthoxylum piperitum source; INCI Zanthoxylum Piperitum Fruit Extract; MOQ from 1–10 kg (dried peppercorn); 100 g – 5 kg (powder).
Simpler in China· shares 3 categories
Wasabi Powder
山葵粉末
Wasabia japonica (Eutrema japonicum) source; INCI Wasabia Japonica Root Powder; MOQ from 1–10 kg (powder); 100 kg+ (bulk paste).
Simpler in China· shares 3 categories
Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate
ガラクトミセス発酵濾液
INCI Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate; MOQ from 10–50 kg.
Simpler in China· shares 3 categories
When does it make sense to swap an ingredient? Read the swap guide →
Japanese suppliers
Morinaga & Co., Ltd.
森永製菓株式会社
TokyoEst. 1918English supportExport experienceAzuki paste / dorayaki line
Hokuren Federation of Agricultural Cooperatives
ホクレン農業協同組合連合会
Sapporo, HokkaidoEst. 1919English supportExport experienceFSSC 22000 (selected facilities)Organic JAS (selected products)Hokkaido Tokachi azuki aggregated supply
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Last updated: 2026-05-04