2022.07.20

Rich in potassium and beta-carotene. Frozen whole gingko nuts from Ibaraki Prefecture.

This is an introduction for frozen whole gingko nuts from Tsukuba Gingko Production Association.

 

This product, Frozen Gingko Nuts from Ibaraki Prefecture, is available in 500g bags which contain around 240-260 whole gingko nuts.

 

This association produces gingko nuts completely pesticide-free and sets uniform standards among producers to ensure that each ginkgo nut is produced with the utmost care.

Close attention is paid to the hygiene standards of the processing plant; it has received Ibaraki HACCP certification.

 

Gingko nuts are a health food that is rich in nutrients such as potassium (*), which is one of the essential minerals and plays a role in promoting the excretion of salt, and beta-carotene, whose antioxidant effect is thought to improve skin and prevent aging and has long been used in Chinese medicinal cuisine and stir-fried dishes.

 

Inoue-san of the Tsukuba Gingko Production Association has shared a simple recipe and tips on how to crack the shell of a gingko nut.

 

*Those with declining kidney function should consult with your physician before eating this product as they may need to limit their potassium intake.

 

How to crack the shell of a whole gingko nut:

Place the gingko nut on a flat surface that you don’t mind scratching, then lay a chopping board on top and press down hard, this will crack the gingko nut’s shell.

Using the handles of kitchen scissors, break the shells one by one.

 

A simple recipe using whole gingko nuts:

As gingko nuts can become very hard when heated for too long, please make sure not to overheat them.

 

 

Gingko Nuts Fresh from the Microwave:

Ingredients

・Any amount of Whole Gingko Nuts

・A suitable amount of Salt

 

Method:

①   Place the whole gingko nuts in a brown envelope and fold the envelope mouth tightly, about 3 folds.

②   Heat in the microwave at 500W for 30-40 seconds, then remove the shell.

③   Be careful of burns and peel off the shell and skin. As the skin is rich in nutrients, you can also enjoy it without peeling it off.

④   Season the peeled gingko with salt and enjoy.

 

Roasted Salted Nuts in a Frying Pan

Ingredients:

・An amount of your choosing of Shelled Gingko Nuts

・1-2 tablespoons of Salt

 

Method:

①   Add the Shelled Gingko Nuts to a frying pan and cook on high heat for 5 to 10 minutes. After about 5 minutes, they will start bouncing around, so be careful and add salt when they start bouncing.

②   The salt will become bitter if burnt, so turn off the heat after just a light stirring and place on a plate, peeling the shells and skin off as you go.

 

Baked Gingko Nuts with Butter

Ingredients:

・Shelled and Peeled Gingko Nuts

・Two tablespoons of Butter

・A suitable amount of Salt

 

Method:

①   Wrap the peeled/shelled gingko nuts in aluminum foil, then add the butter and cook in the toaster oven for around 10 minutes.

②   Open the foil, then season with salt and enjoy.

 

Inoue-san’s recipe for butter cooked gingko nuts is delicious as the ingredients pair greatly together, so definitely try it!

 

Tsukuba Ginkgo Production Association also sells shelled ‘steamed ginkgo nuts’ available in small quantities.

Please try it yourself.

つくば銀杏生産組合「茨城県産大玉殻付き銀杏」