Japanese White Charcoal – Charcoal Art, mastering the heat.

White Charcoal, Mastering the heat. World’s Best Charcoal.

Kishu Binchotan, also known as White Charcoal, is no ordinary cooking agent. Made from the indigenous Ubame oak, it has been marketed as everything from an air and water purifier to a mood enhancer. Chefs around the world swear that it imparts meat and seafood with a flavour unachievable using other charcoals, making it the world’s best fuel for grilling, especially Japanese dishes such as yakitori (grilled chicken skewers) and unagi (grilled eel).

white charcoal is traditionally made, a 100% natural process

As I watched the combination of warmth and light, I couldn’t help but feel the primal appeal of this work. It was clear why family Kishu Binchotan operations have continued this way for hundreds of years. However, the recent popularity of White Charcoal as a household and health panacea has increased demand to unsustainable levels, putting a strain on artisans who rely on the limited supply of native Ubame oak.

The charcoal kiln is traditionally made using clay and bricks.

Despite the challenges, Kishu Binchotan remains a versatile ingredient. It is the active ingredient in many cosmetics, shampoos, and toothpaste and is also used as an air purifier and odour absorber. However, its mood-enhancing properties are the most dubious. Some claim that the minus ions constantly released from the activated carbon increase serotonin levels in the brain, but no concrete scientific evidence supports this claim.

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Full Credits to:
Perfecting the consistency of the charcoal is an instinct that takes decades to develop (Credit: Lance Henderstein)
BBC-Travel Story