看起來就像魚子醬！Tonburi「とんぶり」是日本當地人稱為「陸地魚子醬」的食材。它吃起來也一樣嗎？為什麼他們叫它田間魚子醬？那麼，它是蔬菜還是水果？通常會把它加到哪裡呢？
什麼是 Tonburi？
我很確定很多人會覺得很奇怪。隨著我們繼續聊下去，可能會冒出許多疑問。所以，Tonburi 到底是什麼？
Tonburi 是「kochia scoparia」果實中的種子。這種植物也以「bassia scoparia」這個名稱而聞名。種子會經過清洗與乾燥的處理流程。而當地人之所以稱它為田間魚子醬，是因為它與真正的魚子醬有許多相似之處。
秋田縣是 Tonburi 的最大產地。事實上，現在它也成了當地相當搶手的產品之一。
第一眼：小巧的綠色寶石
那小碟端上來時，裡頭看起來像是閃亮的深綠色魚子醬。每一顆約 1 到 2 毫米的小種子，都帶著一種出乎意料的光澤感 。老實說我有點猶豫，心想它們會不會有魚腥味。但香氣卻意外地清新、帶著蔬菜般的氣息，幾乎就像雨後聞到的花園味道 。
令人驚喜的口感
第一口真的出乎意料。那些小小的種子在齒間彈開，帶著令人滿足的脆彈口感，還會輕輕搔弄舌尖 。有人形容那觸感有點像麻糬小丸子 。我一邊咀嚼一邊著迷：怎麼這麼小的東西，竟能帶來如此難忘的感受。
味道：清淡柔和
它的風味非常細緻——想像洋薊心遇上花椰菜，底下還隱約帶著一點堅果香 。吃起來幾乎像是微小的「味道海綿」，會吸收與它搭配的各種滋味。有些人覺得它幾乎沒什麼味道，而這點老實說反而很適合拿來當作風味畫布 。拌上醬油和薑之後，它又會完全變成另一種風貌 。
陸地魚子醬的特徵
如你現在所知，陸地魚子醬是 Tonburi 的另一個名稱。這是因為兩者在外觀與口感上有相似之處。
外觀
約 2mm 的綠色珍珠狀種子很像魚卵。也有一些處理方法能讓它看起來更有光澤；越亮，就越像真正的魚子醬。
口感與味道
Tonburi 具有爽脆的口感。事實上，有人把它的味道比作花椰菜。也有人說它沒什麼味道。雖然種子本身可能味道不強，但它仍是許多人喜愛的食材之一。
Tonburi 健康嗎？
Aside from dietary fiber, Tonburi also contains vitamins and minerals that promote healthy metabolism. It also has nutrients that are favorable to the skin. On the other hand, vegans can eat Tonburi since it comes from a plant.
除了膳食纖維之外，Tonburi 也含有能促進健康代謝的維生素與礦物質，並含有對皮膚有益的營養素。另一方面，由於它來自植物，素食者也可以食用 Tonburi。
陸地魚子醬的熱量也很低。以 80 克 Tonburi 來說，熱量只有約 72 大卡。因此，對於注重健康的人而言，它是很棒的食材選擇。很多女性會把它當作飲食中的常用食材。
對於糖尿病患者來說，田間魚子醬也對你有幫助。它含有「momordicine」，可幫助降低血糖水平。它的作用類似胰島素，幫助細胞利用葡萄糖並將其輸送到肌肉。
這種健康食物另一個優點是含有「saponin」。它具有抗菌效果，也能防止脂肪氧化。含有 saponin 的食物包括茶與胡蘿蔔。
這些就是 Tonburi 在日本 1000 多年來被稱為「超級食物」的主要原因。
如何準備田野魚子醬？
處理 Tonburi 非常繁瑣。徹底清潔種子極其重要。此外，將種子完全乾燥同樣關鍵。以下是做出閃亮 Tonburi 的步驟。
Of course, harvesting ripe fruits of the summer cypress is the first step of the entire process. Take out the seeds of the ripe fruits.
After taking out the seeds ofkochia scoparia, boil it for about 30 minutes. Make sure to continue stirring while waiting for it to boil. This step can be strenuous due to continuous stirring but this will help the seeds not to stick together.
You will notice that the seeds become thicker as it simmer. For large amount, use a wooden paddle for easier stirring.
Next, use a sturdy colander to drain the water from the seeds. After this process, you will notice that the seeds look a bit like cooked rice. Although, it shouldn’t be sticking together at this point. Then, leave it to dry for at least 12 hours. Air drying is the best for this process.
The next step would be removing the skin without crushing the flesh of the seed. Previously, people would manually peel the seeds. However, due to fast innovation, there’s a machine that can do this process faster and more efficiently. This machine starts working back in 1975 and is now one of the top secrets of this industry.
Rinsing the peeled seeds is a very tedious process. It takes a few rounds of cleaning before it can move forward to the next step. Repeatedly rinsing the seeds using clear water ensures removal of foreign objects.
They use huge plastic colanders during this process and moves it rhythmically while checking for foreign objects.
Drying the seeds is the final part of the long and meticulous process. After being thoroughly cleaned, the seeds are left to dry for at least 8 hours. There are instances wherein it takes longer to dry to ensure that all excess waters will be drained. Finally, the seeds undergo a final checking to remove other objects that the machine may have missed.
Dishes that Go Well with Tonburi
與 Tonburi 很搭的料理
如上所述，Tonburi 是在地廚師喜愛的食材。由於幾乎沒有味道，它不會干擾料理的整體風味；相反地，它能為料理本身增添點綴。以下是一些加上田野魚子醬後更美味的料理。
稻庭烏龍麵
Inaniwa Udon 是日本主要的烏龍麵之一。在成為秋田縣的人氣美食之前，多年來一直是奢華的品項。
因此，當地知名餐廳在其稻庭烏龍麵中使用 Tonburi 也就不足為奇了。這家店名為 Oryza，是該地區最推薦的用餐地點之一。Oryza 距離 JR 大曲站僅幾分鐘路程。
將稻庭烏龍麵與 Tonburi 結合在同一道料理中，完美展現了秋田縣的特色，兼具歷史與奢華的平衡。
Kani 沙拉
田野魚子醬本來就很健康，但把它放進沙拉裡會更棒！Kani 沙拉是日本沙拉種類中深受喜愛的一道。誰會不喜歡呢？它既健康又美味，讓它成為沙拉愛好者心中的冠軍。
加入 Tonburi 後，能和日式美乃滋完美融合，讓沙拉在口感上多了那一分額外的脆感。
玉子燒
想像一下帶有脆感的玉子燒？和「陸上魚子醬」一起吃就是那種感覺。由於蛋卷蓬鬆柔軟，Tonburi 會為它增添一層口感。有些人會把它拌進料理裡，有些人則會直接撒在上面。不管哪種方式，都意外地讓人滿足！
哪裡可以買到這些陸上魚子醬（Tonburi）？
到現在，你應該已經知道 Tonbri 是秋田縣的特產。更具體地說，大館市是這些乾燥種子的主要產地。雖然任何人都可以在日常餐點中加入 Tonburi，但你可以在市內這些店鋪買到這種超級食物。
Akita Hinai 總店
Akita Hinai 的總店位於大館市葛原。請注意，造訪店鋪前需要先預約。總店不僅販售 Tonburi，也販售其他秋田縣的美味特產，例如 Iburigakko 以及比內雞。
Ryotei Kitaaki Club
Ryotei Kitaaki Club 由石川茂吉於 1887 年創立。創辦人的手法已傳承至第五代。如今，石川的後人將現代烹調技術與傳統技法相結合。
這家店是輕鬆用餐，甚至重要慶祝場合的首選。他們也提供外送，讓你能在家中或飯店房間裡舒適地享受道地料理的滋味。
Tonburi 總結
Tonburi 之所以是超級食物，不僅因為它有許多健康益處，也因為有各式各樣的料理都很適合搭配它。的確，它是秋田縣珍貴的特產之一。
Tonburi (Akita Field Caviar) FAQ
What is Tonburi?
It is a traditional garnish from Akita Prefecture made from the seeds of the summer cypress plant.
Why do people call it “field caviar”?
The tiny, dark green seeds look and pop in your mouth exactly like real sturgeon caviar.
Does it taste like fish?
No. It has a very mild, earthy, and slightly nutty flavor with no fishy taste at all.
What is the texture like?
It offers a distinct, satisfying crunch that pops delightfully between your teeth.
How do locals eat it?
Locals usually mix it with soy sauce and serve it over hot white rice or cold tofu.
Does it pair with other foods?
Yes. Chefs frequently mix it with grated yam (Tororo) or natto to add a crunchy texture to slimy foods.
Is it a type of seaweed?
No. Farmers harvest the seeds from the Houkigi bush, a leafy land plant native to Asia.
Is it vegan?
Yes. It consists entirely of plant seeds, making it a perfect vegan substitute for real caviar.
Is it healthy?
Yes. The seeds contain high amounts of dietary fiber, saponin, and essential minerals.
Where do farmers grow it?
Farmers cultivate it almost exclusively in the Odate region of Akita Prefecture.
How do they process the seeds?
Workers boil, soak, and hand-rub the dried seeds to remove the hard outer husks before packing them.
Do I need to cook it?
No. You eat the processed seeds straight out of the package without any further cooking.
Does it have a strong smell?
No. It remains virtually odorless, allowing it to blend perfectly with delicate dishes.
Can I buy it in supermarkets?
You can find it easily in Akita, but in other regions, you must visit high-end grocery stores or specialty shops.
How should I store it?
You must keep the vacuum-sealed packs in the refrigerator and consume them quickly after opening.
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