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2022.03.22 Are Some Dried Bonito “Brewed”?

“There are two main types of dried bonito or katusobushi. The first, arabushi, are bonito that have been boiled, smoked and dried. The second, karebushi, is arabushi treated through a molding process. This process is considered similar to brewing with koji mold,” says a fermented food researcher. With a similar fermentation process, could we perhaps say that the karebushi is “brewed” too? The researcher adds that applying mold to karebushi breaks down excess fats, giving it a refined taste. Learn and use the differences between the two in the kitchen, and you’ll be a real culinary expert!

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