This time we'll go deep mining into the secrets of Japanese cookware with a post about Nambu ironware.
The traditional craft of Nambu ironware has roughly 400 years of history coming out of Japan's Iwate Prefecture located in the northern part of the nation's island. The name is a little confusing because in Japanese nambu means "the south" but in this case it refers to the south of present-day Iwate prefecture where this fascinating casting technology originated and cultivated. If you witness the quality of this class of cookware then you probably won't be surprised to learn that it actually takes 15 years or more to become an official nambu ironware craftsmen and then around 30 to 40 years to become a master (yes, half the average human lifespan!). Nambu ironware requires heaps of steps and the results are agreed to be the best in the world.
In Japan, nambu ironware is considered ideal for making shabu-shabu and sukiyaki dishes. Nambu ironware products are particularly preferred by professional chefs because of the traditional tried and true techniques they are made with which result in exceptional durability and quality. With proper care, a nambu ironware item can be passed from parent to child and will last a lifetime.
The list of benefits of nambu ironware is almost endless so whether you are making stew, steak or just roasting some veggies, you're going to want to use a pot or pan made from this perfected metalwork tradition. One notable technique of it which definitely adds to product longevity is "kama-yaki" for rust resistance. This method also results in iron products that require relatively minimal care. Nambu ironware pots feature excellent insulation and uniform heat circulation which are ideal properties for cooking basically anything to get exceptionally delicious flavors and textures out of your meals. This also means they cool slowly and keep the food inside nice and warm even after it's finished cooking. Then of course when you finally consume the meal, you get to enjoy a nutritious boost of iron as the iron material will be mixed in. So in other words, once you have a nambu ironware product in your kitchen arsenal, you're not going back to whatever you had before. This is indeed one of the world's main holy grails of cookware.
If you'd like to join the nambu ironware experience and see what kind of cooking results you get with this class of superior quality products, our specially selected hotpot at the TIKUSAN store is an excellent nambu ironware item to start with.