News Kyoto graduate student launches liquor made from moth-caterpillar droppings

[thomas]

Tsuyoshi Maruoka, a doctoral student at Kyoto University's Graduate School of Agriculture, has launched a high-aroma, rich-flavoured liquor created using the droppings of moth caterpillars that fed on cherry leaves, a speciality of Matsuzaki, Shizuoka Prefecture. His startup, Chu-hi-cha, launched the product in November under the name "Lepi Trail," which means the trail of an insect. The town of Matsuzaki is known for its cherry leaves used in Japanese sweets, but the number of producers has continued to decline. Maruoka hopes caterpillar droppings can become a catalyst for regional revitalisation.

Maruoka, who studies chemical ecology involving plants and insects, first encountered the droppings four years ago when an older coworker brought in a caterpillar of the gypsy moth. He and his colleagues, half-jokingly, dissolved the droppings in hot water and were amazed by the flavour and aroma, which he described as "like rich tea." The leaves consumed by the caterpillars undergo biofermentation within their bodies, altering the components before being excreted, resulting in a unique fragrance. Recognising the potential of this natural fermentation process, similar to that used in making black tea, Maruoka saw great possibilities in the droppings. He founded his company in 2023 and experimented with various combinations of caterpillar species and leaves, including cherry, chestnut, and apple. This led to the commercialisation of "Chu-hi-cha," which is also his company name. The products have attracted interest from top-tier restaurants and received professional endorsements.

"Lepi Trail" is priced at 4,400 yen (about $28), including tax, for 110 millilitres.

Kyoto Univ. graduate student commercializes liquor from moth caterpillar droppings - The Mainichi

ITO, Shizuoka -- A Kyoto University graduate student's startup company has launched a high-aroma, rich-flavored liquor created using the droppings of

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虫秘茶 Chu-hi-cha｜虫の"糞"からできた"茶の秘境"

 

[Ukigumo]

I produce a salty, sweetish, golden yellow liquor every time I go to the benjo. Maybe I should bottle and sell that…