Matière premièreIngrédients alimentaires

Kudzu Starch

葛粉 (Kuzu ko)

Pourquoi sourcer au Japon

Sourced from Yoshino (Nara) and Akizuki (Fukuoka) with year-round Japanese supply, consistent quality, and traceability to the prefecture of origin.

Spec clé

MOQ from 20–50 kg.

Produit fini typique

Premium wagashi and gluten-free desserts — Authentic Japanese gluten-free thickener for kuzu-mochi cubes, warabi-mochi blends, and chilled translucent jellies for café and luxury-retail channels.

En un coup d'œil

Fournisseurs répertoriés
2 fournisseurs
MOQ typique
20–50 kg
Délai typique
8–16 semaines (la méthode traditionnelle est lente)
Régions d'origine
Yoshino (Nara), Akizuki (Fukuoka), Oita, Mie
Catégorie
Ingrédients alimentaires
Saison de récolte
Novembre – mars (déterrage des racines)
Statut réglementaire au Japon
Food Sanitation Act
Nom japonais
葛粉
Romaji
Kuzu ko

À propos de cet ingrédient

L'amidon de kudzu est extrait de la racine tubéreuse épaisse de Pueraria montana. La production traditionnelle japonaise (吉野晒し) repose sur des lavages successifs à l'eau des racines broyées sur plusieurs semaines. Yoshino (Nara) et Akizuki (Fukuoka) sont des centres de production historiques ; le kudzu pur de Yoshino est une catégorie premium produite en continu depuis des siècles.

Statut réglementaire

JaponFood Sanitation Act
Union européenneRègles d'importation alimentaire
États-UnisFDA
ChineVérifier l'importation

FAQ pour les acheteurs OEM

Q. Why are lead times for kuzuko longer than for other starches?

Production is constrained by (1) a winter-only root harvest (November to March, when starch content peaks and the foliage has died back) and (2) the 30- to 90-day cold-water washing cycle of the traditional process. Industry-typical MOQ is 20–50 kg with 8–16 week lead times depending on whether existing stock can be drawn against the current season's production.

Sources · Dernière vérification: 2026-04-26

Connaissance sectorielle — non encore rattachée à une source primaire unique

Q. Should I specify '100% hon-kuzu' or accept blended kuzuko?

On the Japanese domestic market a large share of products labelled simply '葛粉' (kuzuko) are actually blends of kudzu starch with sweet potato starch (sometimes only a small fraction is true kudzu). For premium positioning, request '本葛 100%' (100% hon-kuzu) and a starch-composition certificate or a producer attestation. Pricing differs by an order of magnitude, so this is the single most important spec point.

Sources · Dernière vérification: 2026-04-26

Q. What COA parameters should I request from a kuzuko supplier?

Ask for: starch purity (typical hon-kuzu >95%), moisture (≤16%), ash, microbiological limits (total plate count, yeast/mold, coliforms, E. coli), heavy metals (Pb, As, Cd), pesticide residues if claiming organic, and a starch-source certificate confirming Pueraria lobata origin (vs. sweet potato or corn). For export, also request allergen-free statement and non-GMO declaration.

Sources · Dernière vérification: 2026-04-26

Connaissance sectorielle — non encore rattachée à une source primaire unique

Q. Are there export-control or invasive-species considerations?

Pueraria lobata (kudzu) is classified as an invasive species in the United States, but the regulation applies to live plant material — processed starch is not restricted on those grounds. However, US, EU, and several Asian markets apply standard plant-derived food-import controls; confirm pesticide residue limits on the destination market and ensure the import is correctly declared as 'starch from Pueraria lobata root' rather than 'kudzu plant material'.

Sources · Dernière vérification: 2026-04-26

Cas d'usage

  • Premium wagashi and gluten-free desserts

    Positionnement
    Authentic Japanese gluten-free thickener for kuzu-mochi cubes, warabi-mochi blends, and chilled translucent jellies for café and luxury-retail channels.
    Niveau d'usage typique
    8–15% by weight of the liquid base, depending on the desired firmness.
    Notes de formulation
    Dissolve in cold water before heating; gels at approximately 70–80 °C. Re-melts on heating, allowing thermo-reversible textures.
  • Premium ankake and Japanese restaurant sauce thickener

    Positionnement
    Substitute for potato or corn starch in restaurant sauces where a glossier, more elastic mouthfeel and cleaner flavor are desired.
    Niveau d'usage typique
    1–3% in finished sauce.
    Notes de formulation
    Slurry in cold dashi or water, add late in cooking, simmer briefly to clarify. Sauce remains glossy on chilled storage longer than corn-starch versions.

    Sources

    Connaissance sectorielle — non encore rattachée à une source primaire unique

  • Convalescent / wellness 'kuzu-yu' beverages

    Positionnement
    Heritage 'warming starch drink' positioned for winter wellness lines, often combined with ginger or umeboshi.
    Notes de formulation
    5–8% kuzuko in hot water with sugar; gives the characteristic translucent, viscous texture.

    Sources

    Connaissance sectorielle — non encore rattachée à une source primaire unique

  • Gluten-free baking and binding ingredient

    Positionnement
    Specialty gluten-free flour blends for premium bakeries, where kuzu provides binding and a distinctive snap to crackers and biscuits.
    Niveau d'usage typique
    5–20% of the dry-flour blend.

    Sources

    Connaissance sectorielle — non encore rattachée à une source primaire unique

Fournisseurs japonais

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