Matière premièreIngrédients alimentaires

Okinawa Brown Sugar (Kokutō)

沖縄黒糖 (Okinawa kokutō)

Pourquoi sourcer au Japon

Okinawa kokutō is traditional unrefined cane sugar produced by open-pan boiling of freshly pressed sugarcane juice, without centrifugation or refining.

Spec clé

MOQ from 50–500 kg.

Produit fini typique

Premium wagashi and chocolate confectionery — GI-registered terroir story for premium wagashi gift boxes and bean-to-bar chocolate, where single-island kokutō is highlighted as a regional specialty sugar.

En un coup d'œil

Fournisseurs répertoriés
1 fournisseur
MOQ typique
50–500 kg
Délai typique
6–12 semaines (production annuelle limitée)
Régions d'origine
8 designated islands: Iheya, Izena, Aguni, Kohama, Hateruma, Kuro, Tarama, Yonaguni (Okinawa) GI
Catégorie
Ingrédients alimentaires
Saison de récolte
Janvier – Avril (récolte de la canne à sucre)
Statut réglementaire au Japon
Food Sanitation Act ; enregistré en IG
Nom japonais
沖縄黒糖
Romaji
Okinawa kokutō

À propos de cet ingrédient

L'Okinawa kokutō est un sucre de canne brut traditionnel, produit par cuisson en chaudron ouvert du jus de canne fraîchement pressé, sans centrifugation ni raffinage. L'enregistrement GI couvre la production sur 8 îles précises. Chaque île offre un profil aromatique subtilement différent, attribué au cultivar, au sol et à la tradition locale de production.

Statut réglementaire

JaponFood Sanitation Act ; enregistré en IG
Union européenneImportation alimentaire
États-UnisFDA food
ChineVérifier l'importation

FAQ pour les acheteurs OEM

Q. What are the seasonality and lead time constraints for kokutō?

Sugarcane harvest on the GI-registered Okinawan islands runs January through April, and most kokutō for the year is produced during this window. MOQ ranges from 50 kg (small island producers) to 500 kg (larger blends), with lead times of 6–12 weeks. Ordering well before the harvest window, or just after it for the freshest crop, is strongly preferred — late in the year supply can be tight.

Sources · Dernière vérification: 2026-04-26

Connaissance sectorielle — non encore rattachée à une source primaire unique

Q. Can I label my product 'Okinawa Kokutō' on export?

Only if your raw material complies with the MAFF GI specification (production on one of the eight registered islands per the registered method) and you have permission from the GI rights-holder organization to use the GI name. Generic 'Okinawan brown sugar' or 'kokutō from Okinawa' may be possible for non-GI-island product, but the protected term 'Okinawa Kokutō' / '沖縄黒糖' is reserved. Check the GI registration text and consult the producers' association.

Sources · Dernière vérification: 2026-04-26

Q. What forms is kokutō supplied in?

Three common forms: (1) traditional block / lump (約 1 kg–5 kg blocks, 'katamari') for retail and gift use, (2) crushed / granulated (sieved to defined mesh ranges) for industrial baking and confectionery, and (3) powdered / micronized for blending into beverage mixes and dry seasoning. Some producers also offer kokutō syrup ('黒蜜 / kuromitsu') as a value-added liquid product. Specify form, particle size, and hardness on your spec.

Sources · Dernière vérification: 2026-04-26

Connaissance sectorielle — non encore rattachée à une source primaire unique

Q. What COA and labeling considerations apply for export?

Standard COA: sucrose, total reducing sugars, moisture (target ≤4% for hard kokutō), ash (typically 1–3%), color value, microbiological limits, heavy metals, and pesticide residues if claiming pesticide-free. For US and EU import, kokutō is treated as a sugar product (no special restrictions) but labeling cannot use 'unrefined' / 'natural' / 'raw' in ways that mislead consumers about nutrition equivalence to refined sugar — claims must be substantiated.

Sources · Dernière vérification: 2026-04-26

Cas d'usage

  • Premium wagashi and chocolate confectionery

    Positionnement
    GI-registered terroir story for premium wagashi gift boxes and bean-to-bar chocolate, where single-island kokutō is highlighted as a regional specialty sugar.
    Niveau d'usage typique
    Replacement for 30–100% of refined sugar in the recipe, depending on flavor target.
    Notes de formulation
    Higher mineral content can affect crystallization and chocolate temper; pilot-test before full reformulation.
  • Specialty beverages (kokutō latte, awamori cocktails)

    Positionnement
    Okinawan regional specialty platform combining kokutō with awamori, coffee, or matcha for café and bar lines.
    Niveau d'usage typique
    10–20 g kokutō syrup per 200 mL beverage.

    Sources

    Connaissance sectorielle — non encore rattachée à une source primaire unique

  • Mineral-positioned 'natural sweetener' SKUs

    Positionnement
    Retail jar / pouch sold alongside coconut sugar, muscovado, and panela in 'unrefined sugar' categories.
    Notes de formulation
    Marketing claims should focus on origin / processing rather than implied health-equivalence to refined sugar; calorie and sugar content remain comparable to other sugars per gram.
  • Cosmetic body scrub and skincare formulations

    Positionnement
    Sugar-cane-derived natural exfoliant and humectant in body scrubs and bath products with 'Okinawa wellness' positioning.
    Notes de formulation
    Cosmetic-grade preparations should reference INCI 'Saccharum Officinarum Extract'; verify regulatory pathway in destination market for cosmetic ingredient claims.

Fournisseurs japonais

Se renseigner sur Okinawa Brown Sugar (Kokutō)