Shōchū Kasu (Distillation Residue)
焼酎粕 (Shōchū-kasu)
Why source from Japan
Kyushu honkaku shōchū industry produces the world's only large-scale supply of imo / mugi shōchū kasu; heritage knowledge for upcycled active ingredient extraction.
Key spec
Free amino acid 0.5–2% (wet basis); polyphenol content elevated in imo-shōchū kasu vs mugi.
Typical end-product
Upcycled cosmetic moisturisers, fermented-supplement feedstock, regional-craft retail.
At a glance
- Suppliers listed
- 1 supplier
- Typical MOQ
- 10–50 kg paste; 1–10 kg dried/extract
- Typical lead time
- 6–10 weeks
- Regions of origin
- Kagoshima, Miyazaki, Kumamoto, Oita
- Category
- Traditional materials
- Harvest season
- Year-round; volume peaks September – February (post-harvest distillation)
- Japan regulatory status
- Food and cosmetic-grade processing routes available
- Japanese name
- 焼酎粕
- Romaji
- Shōchū-kasu
About this ingredient
Liquid and solid residue from honkaku shōchū distillation. Long historically a feed/fertiliser by-product, recent research has identified amino-acid and peptide-rich active fractions with humectant and skin-conditioning properties. Kagoshima, Miyazaki, and Kumamoto — the heartland of imo (sweet potato) and mugi (barley) shōchū production — generate the largest volumes. Used in cosmetic moisturising lines and as a feedstock for fermented-supplement ingredients. Distinct from sake-kasu (rice/koji) in profile.
Regulatory status
| Japan | Food and cosmetic-grade processing routes available |
|---|---|
| EU | CosIng evaluation for specific extracts; food: novel-food check for non-pre-1997 EU history |
| United States | MoCRA cosmetic use; food: GRAS by ingredient analogy |
| China | NMPA cosmetic NCI consideration; food: GACC registration |
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
Shōchū Kasu (Distillation Residue) is animal-derived. If you need a non-animal source with similar functions, consider:
Sake Extract
日本酒エキス
INCI Sake Extract (cosmetic) — JSCI ingredient; MOQ from 10–30 kg (cosmetic extract) / 50–500 L (bulk for food use).
Plant-based· shares 3 categories
Rice-Derived Glucosylceramide
米由来グルコシルセラミド
FFC notification(s) on file; MOQ from 5–20 kg.
Plant-based· shares 3 categories
Apple Ceramide
リンゴセラミド
Pyrus malus (apple pomace) source; INCI Pyrus Malus (Apple) Glucosylceramide; MOQ from 100 g – 10 kg (extract); 1-10 kg (powder).
Plant-based· shares 3 categories
Easier China regulatory path
Shōchū Kasu (Distillation Residue) faces a more restrictive regulatory pathway in China. These alternatives have a simpler status in that market:
Sake Extract
日本酒エキス
INCI Sake Extract (cosmetic) — JSCI ingredient; MOQ from 10–30 kg (cosmetic extract) / 50–500 L (bulk for food use).
Simpler in China· shares 3 categories
Rice-Derived Glucosylceramide
米由来グルコシルセラミド
FFC notification(s) on file; MOQ from 5–20 kg.
Simpler in China· shares 3 categories
Silk Sericin
シルクセリシン
Molecular weight typically 5,000-50,000 Da depending on extraction; serine content ~30% of amino acid profile.
Simpler in China· shares 3 categories
When does it make sense to swap an ingredient? Read the swap guide →
Japanese suppliers
Sanct Co., Ltd.
株式会社サンクト
Koto, TokyoUpcycled shōchū-kasu cosmetic ingredient
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Last updated: 2026-05-05