#13 - Fumi Tsukamoto & Jess Mantell, Abokichi: Super Umami flavours!
Description
Fumi Tsukamoto and Jess Mantell are the co-founders of Abokichi, a Japanese inspired condiments, flavouring, and miso soup company based in Toronto and Hamilton. Abokichi have been exciting consumers and taste buds with their innovations on classic Japanese flavourings such as miso, koji, and tamari. Their leading product includes Okazu, a miso rich sesame oil condiment. Our conversation takes different turns, including comparing rental prices in Toronto and Tokyo, especially for start-up food entrepreneurs. Fumi and Jess provide perspective on eating habits, portion sizes, and flavour in Canadian and Japanese food cultures. We learn about Abokichi's partnership with Izumi sake brewery, located in the historic Distillery District in Toronto, and how the sake lees from Izumi has created a umami rich miso soup from the collaboration. Abokichi also pride themselves on their upcycling certification, that leads towards utilizing food by-products and an entrepreneurial, circular economy. Jess and Fumi provide some additional perspectives on the many uses of their condiments, and some ideas on what's to come from Abokichi!
United States
