Health Japan designates broccoli as an 'essential vegetable'

Broccoli, which is in increasing demand, was added this spring to Japan's list of "designated vegetables," the first new addition in 52 years to be officially recognised as an essential part of the national diet. The move comes at a time when overall vegetable consumption in Japan continues to fall, although demand for broccoli has stayed comparatively strong. Officials and producers are now hoping that the designation will help stabilise supplies.

Maruyama Satomi, a nutrition specialist and professor at Kinjo Gakuin University, said broccoli was highly nutritious and had become firmly embedded in Japanese eating habits over the years. She added that she had long wondered when it would finally be included on the designated list of vegetables. Japan's health ministry recommends that adults consume 350 grams of vegetables a day to help maintain and improve health. Actual intake remains far below that level. In 2023, average daily consumption stood at just 256 grams.

Demand is rising dramatically. According to the agriculture ministry, annual broccoli purchases per person rose to 1,619 grams in 2022 from 540 grams in 1990. Shipments also doubled over the same period to 157,000 metric tons. That contrasts with broader trends in vegetables overall, where consumption and output have been declining or stayed flat. [...] The green is rich not only in vitamins and dietary fiber but also in beta-carotene, potassium and folic acid. Unusually for a vegetable, it is also high in protein, with 5.4 grams per 100 grams when raw, about the same as tofu. In addition, its sprouts contain large amounts of sulforaphane, a compound thought to help prevent cancer and slow aging. This aspect has been widely highlighted in the media.

Click to expand...

We eat a fair amount of broc, which is probably more than most. Mainly salads, but my wife uses it in a stir fry. What I don't care for is when out to eat somewhere you might get one thumb-sized floret--which is just a garnish and definitely not a veggie serving.

Also cauliflower, which I like. Even tho it's pricier it keeps well. Besides salads, I oven-roast it with tomatoes (and other things) as a side. The paprika we get (bell peppers) seem to mostly come from korea.

Edit: our 'crisper' right now.

Very neatly organised! You should see our れいとうこ.

We consume broccoli daily and prepare it for the dogs and for us. I love cauliflower, but it's double the price of broccoli in our local OK store. I'm always surprised at the price fluctuations of veggies; we call it the weekly 'broccoli index'.

It seems appropriate to insert the Derek Stevens audition here.

I love a good cruciferous vegetable. Steamed and sautéed in batta-shoyu. I can wait until I can eat again…maybe Christmas time