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AJINOMOTO's
Seminar -
Innovative Vision of Sense of Hearing, Eye
Field & Taste in JAPAN
(Hong
Kong - November 27, 2004) - The sheer level
of energy is the most striking aspect of
-Japan. Japan is a place of ancient gods
and customs, but is also the cutting edge
of cool modernity. You must be surprised
by its distinctive character - tradition
and modernity. Yet, our understanding of
Japanese culture is limited. Interactive
seminar themed "Innovative Vision of
Sense of Hearing, Eye Field & Taste
in JAPAN" for university students had
been organized by Ajinomoto Co. (H.K.) Ltd.
Three culturati, Mr. Tong Ching Siu, Mr.
Lau Sai Leung and Mr. Leslie Chan were invited
to lead us through and discover the gist
of Japan from food, animation, comics, music
to architecture.
Popular
Culture (Sense of Hearing) - From Seiko
Matsuda (ªQ¥Ð¸t¤l) to Yutaka Ozaki (§À±TÂ×) - Mr.
Tong Ching Siu
Seiko
Matsuda always gives people a kawaii (cute)
image. From western perspective, Seiko Matsuda
is unattractive without any talents. It
is a total failure when she starts her career
in United States. This implies that there
is a general norm in Japanese society pursuing
normality, structure and being non-invasive.
On the other hand, she is generally regarded
as unappealing in appearance and talents
from Asian perspective. Though she is at
her 20's, she makes up herself as if she
is 12 years old. She starts the Kawaii culture
and her persistence and dedication is well
recognized. Seiko Matsuda is portrayed as
a kind of Japanese grass jelly (tokoroten),
and she can be simulated as the character
in the movie "Hana & Alice"
by Shunji Iwai. Alice in the movie is uncharacteristic
in personality and engaged too deeply in
love. For those against the crazy love attitude,
she is seen as poison.
Yutaka
Ozaki is a stereotype of a rebellious singer.
From western perspective, he is regarded
as a disobedient young composer and singer
with talents. From Asian perspective, he
is seen as the last J-Rock martyr with big
gang of fans. At the end he terminates his
life by alcohol and drugs. He is regarded
as the final legendary icon. In terms of
food simile, Yutaka Ozaki is just like ikitsukuri
(Fish Sashimi). He commits suicide to beautify
his life, which is similar in the way that
fish is killed to serve as fine sashimi.
Apart
from music, the Japanese TV programs could
also reveal the Japanese refine dining culture.
Japanese are strict about dining and the
dishes for appetizer, main course and dessert
have to be displayed nicely. Japanese pay
great efforts and work in a serious and
dedicated manner. And thus, the thoughtful
and artistic arrangement and decoration
reflect how much Japanese contribute and
care for every single detail. Compare to
the Hong Kong TV program, it is easily to
distinguish the high and low quality.
New
cultural travel (Sense of Eye Field) - Loving
Tokyo - Mr. Lau Sai Leung
Traveling
in Tokyo is no longer for visiting the Fuji
Mountain or the Hello Kitty Land. The other
side of Tokyo is a modern-day utopia: the
fantasy ship by Animation Comic Master Leiji
Matsumoto, or Pop Art Master Takashi Murakami
(§ø¤W¶©) in Roppongi Hills.
Tokyo
is a place where the urgent rhythms of modern
culture collide with the quieter moments
that linger from the old traditions. Simply
have a bowl of Ramen (Japanese-Style Noodle),
you could explore the calm and heart beating
Japanese lifestyle.
The
fundamental element of Ramen is the soup
base. Generated from different areas, and
there are basically three types of soup
base, including shoyu base, yellow bean
base and pork broth base. And there is one
more unique noodle type - oriental cold
noodles. The spirit of Ramen is come from
Dashi, the most traditional soup base in
Japanese cuisine. It is produced by different
types of ingredients. Its unique taste is
called "Umami". The original Dashi
is made from dried bonito and dried kelp
and sometimes dried shrimps, scallops and
sardines. The use of Dashi is not only limited
for Ramen but in various dishes such as
miso soup, fried rice and tempura sauce.
Journey to Food Taste (Sense of Taste)
- Tip your tongue & refresh your taste
- Leslie Chan
Soup
base is an essential element in Japanese
dishes. Konbu is an important and un-replaceable
ingredient used in soup base. Konbu consists
of glutamic which is a kind of amino acid.
Glutamate is found naturally in protein-containing
foods such as meat, vegetables, poultry
and milk. Glutamate is also essential link
in human metabolism. In fact, the human
body contains about 2 kilograms (4 pounds)
of glutamate in muscles, brain, kidneys,
and other organs and tissues. About 50 grams
of glutamate are turned - over daily by
the human body and used in the various metabolic
processes that sustain life.
Monosodium
glutamate (MSG) is usually produced by fermentation
and purification - a process similar to
that used in making vinegar and yogurt,
using natural food ingredients like sugar
canes, corn or sago as raw materials. The
end product is a pure, white crystal which
dissolves easily. Glutamate has a unique
taste, recognized as an independent fifth
basic taste separate to sweet, salty, sour
and bitter. It is called "Umami".
In the seminar, a soup tasting is used to
demonstrate the effectiveness of MSG application.
As
a flavor enhancer, MSG also helps to reduce
the sodium intake, contributes to healthy
eating, especially among the aging population.
The elderly, who have progressively lost
their sense of taste and smell, usually
lacks the appetite for eating, resulting
in the problem of under nourishment. However,
it is confirmed in various studies that
adding MSG to dishes can encourage intake
of targeted foods, thus improving the nutrient
intake of elderly people.
Research
has revealed that glutamate from whatsoever
source is important for the normal functioning
of the digestive system. In fact, the safety
of MSG is endorsed by a number of international
leading food and health organizations, including
the Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives
(JECFA) of the United Nations Food and Agriculture
Organization, and the World Health Organization,
and the European Commission's Scientific
Committee for Food (SCF). In addition, the
Food and Drug Administration of the United
States (FDA) also affirms that normal consumption
of MSG is not hazardous. Suitable amount
of MSG intake will not lead to any health
problems.
About
AJINOMOTO
AJINOMOTO
set up its representative office in Hong
Kong in 1927 and in 1979 Ajinomoto Co.,
(HK) Ltd. was founded. Based on the motto,
'High Quality & Good for Health', today
the company continues to develop its market
presence in Hong Kong and actively sponsors
food and health related activities in the
SAR. Ajinomoto Co., (HK) Ltd. also markets
the Ajinomoto product range in China.
The
company's product range in Hong Kong includes
seasonings such as AJI-NO-MOTO, HON-DASHI,
AJI-SHIO-PEPPER and AJI-SHIO-SALT; nutritional
drinks including AMINO GEAR and CALPICO
WATER; sweeteners such as PAL SWEET and
SLIM UP; and frozen foods including the
top-selling JAPANESE FRIED DUMPLING, TENDER
FRIED CHICKEN and YAKITORI.
For
further information visit: http://www.ajinomoto.com.hk
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