Organic Shichimi Tôgarashi

I must confess I have a weakness for the Japanese spice blend known as Shichimi Togarashi (Si-Tchi-mi Tô-garas). Difficult to pronounce in Japanese, you'll have to learn it if you want to discover one of the many Japanese houses that make it to order.

Some are very strong and not suitable for European palates. Our blend does not include chillies, but ginger and Sansho pepper from the venerable House of Kaneichi. Those unfamiliar with the latter must learn to love it, for once tamed and subtly dosed, sansho is a delight. Remarkably fine, lemony, almost minty, with a peppery finish, it is above all astonishing for its almost anaesthetic power, an experience that leaves no one indifferent.

The Japanese 7-spice blend is an incredible flavor enhancer, combining the iodine of nori, the nuttiness of sesame, the sweetness of citrus and the strength of sansho. It stimulates the appetite (sansho has this ability) and energizes your broths and salads. As a finishing touch on white fish or as a snack on red meat, it's a real treat.