Mizkan introduces its first product, "Happo Dashi," from its new artisanal seasoning brand "PIN Seal (TM)" – also launching the "Taste Verification Room Project."
■ PIN Seal: A New Brand of Artisanal Seasonings
This carefully crafted brand was born from a desire to elevate everyday home cooking to its highest potential. Members of Mizkan's unique team of taste experts, the "Taste Verification Room," draw upon the flavors, knowledge, and techniques learned through apprenticeships at top-tier restaurants to pursue the ultimate taste for home kitchens.
■ PIN Seal's First Product: Authentic Dashi Broth "Happo Dashi"
Released on February 15, 2018, "Happo Dashi" is the inaugural product from Mizkan's new artisanal seasoning brand, PIN Seal. This authentic cooking dashi features a masterful balance of soy sauce, bonito broth, and sweetness, characterized by its rich aroma and umami. Through careful selection of ingredients and meticulous preparation methods that highlight the natural flavors and aromas of each component, it achieves a refined taste without relying on artificial additives. It serves as a versatile base for a wide range of dishes, including ohitashi (blanched vegetables), seasoned rice, and simmered fish.
■ The "Taste Verification Room": A Team of Experts Dedicated to Flavor
Established within Mizkan in 2014, this organization is dedicated to pursuing exquisite flavors and supporting Mizkan's culinary development. The "Taste Verification Room" members undergo rigorous training, including apprenticeships at leading restaurants, to hone their palates. During product development, they also act as liaisons between top chefs and the development department, seeking expert advice. These culinary masters often express taste in unique ways; for instance, a phrase like "catches in the throat" might signify high salt content. The "Taste Verification Room" plays a crucial role in understanding the essence of such advice, translating it into clear, actionable insights for the company, effectively serving as "flavor translators" connecting the culinary world with Mizkan's internal teams.
■ Launch of the "Taste Verification Room Project" to Share Expertise
Mizkan launched the "Taste Verification Room Project" on Tuesday, June 12th, to allow a wider audience to experience and appreciate the expertise cultivated by the "Taste Verification Room" during the development of "Happo Dashi," the first product from the PIN Seal brand. The project's initial offering is a cooking class, "A Day of Culinary Training at a Top Restaurant: Mastering Dashi," designed to convey the importance and depth of dashi. Further initiatives are planned for the future.