Noodles made from trees? It sounds absurd, yet a bit interesting. Would people dig this new kind of noodles?
Omikenshi Co., Ltd. is the company behind the discovery of this new food technology. This textile company finally ventured towards another industry - the food-making industry. Omikenshi Co. is one of the oldest established businesses in Japan.
The textile company will join the food business in a quite atypical way. They will make noodles from trees. The noodles will be made from fibers from the tress. These noodles will have no trace of gluten, making it a healthy alternative to traditional noodles.
According to Gizmodo, the company will utilize the same technology in making the noodles and in manufacturing the textiles, their original product. The process involves turning the tree wood pulp into noodles that are fit for human consumption. Moreover, these noodles will have a low amount of carbohydrates, calories, fat, and will have no trace of gluten.
Omikenshi is famous for making fibre rayon. Bloomberg said that the company will use the cellulose fiber from rayon (tree pulp). The tree pulp will be mixed with konjac, a sweet potato-like pant. After mixing, this will now be the special noodle flour. The company calls it "cell-eat". "Cell-eat" has 60 calories per kilo, while common wheat flour has 3, 680 calories.
Konjac has a bitter taste. Because of its taste, selling the plant in the food market is likely difficult. But with the addition of the pulp, it will be less difficult to market and more desirable to human taste. This plant is also described as "Japan's most-protected agricultural product." The Japanese government placed a 990% tariff on konjac being imported just to ensure good livelihood of Japan's local farmers.
This new food technology will benefit the company, the local farmers and even the country's economy.
Food enthusiasts and food critics ready your palates. Japan has set to the world another unique discovery.
