Soba Canada

About Soba (Buckwheat)

          (1) A word, buckwheat
        (2) Common Buckwheat as a plant
        (3) In Canada
        (4) In Japan
        (5) In the World
                                                          

A word, the Buckwheat, originates in Anglo-Saxon. ie, "Boc and Whoet" (Beech and Wheat). Because a shape of the Buckwheat fruit is similar to the beechnut and usages are also about the same for wheat like bread making etc. And the Scots simplified it to current english word of "Buckwheat". But scientifically speaking Buckwheat despite of its name does not belong to the wheat family. In China and Japan, Buckwheat is also named as a wheat family. It is interesting to note that both in East and West regardless of people, same naming was given to this grain. What the human being feels and thinks is the same anywhere .

Fagopyrum Esculentum is an scientific name of common buckwheat we normally consume.
The place of origin of Buckwheat is said to be Yunnan, China. An oldest documentary records in China about 1500 years ago already had some article on Buckwheat. In the medieval period, Buckwheat was introduced to Europe through The Silk Road by people of the Saracen Empire. Thus in French the buckwheat got a name of "Sarrasin". Then at beginning of 17th century Buckwheat was brought into the New World by the Pilgrim Fathers on board the "Mayflower".

Common Buckwheat is an annual plant characterized with its heart-shaped leaves and fruits are pyramid-shaped on axillary with densely clustered white flowers. Buckwheat is fast growing plant and in Japan we say "Soba grows in 75 days.". It is the tall erect plant with 70-150cm in height and produce several branches but very prone to lodging due to hollow stem and shallow root system. In Central/Western Canada, the seeding ranges between last week of May and 15th of June avoiding the risk of last spring frost and early autumn frost as Buckwheat is very susceptible to the frost.

Buckwheat is not commercially important as wheat or rice but it brings us surprising health benefits because of its superior nutritious aspects as one of best balanced functional foods. Recently as the study of many scientists revealed well balanced nutritious structure of Buckwheat with high Protein, Vitamins, Fibres etc. together with other ingredients like Rutin which is reported to effectively lowers blood pressure and cleans cholesterol and prevents and cures most adult's diseases such as Cancer, Cardio Vascular diseases and blood related diseases or type-2 Diabetes so on. The study now undergoing is opening a new window for man-buckwheat interface which also is stimulating the demand for expansion of this excellent grain. It could be said though Buckwheat is traditional food but also is futuristic healthy food too.
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In Canada, Manitoba is called "Buckwheat Capital of Canada" and produces about 70% of domestic production followed by Quebec and Ontario each about bit more than 10%. There are also small production in Saskatchewan and Alberta. About 2/3 of the crop is exported mainly to Japan and some goes to USA and Europe too.
My gracious! Local comsumption is sadly small despite of its miracle power. This is a problem. It is important to let Canadians know the Buckwheat's surprising possibilities to the health. Alas! again. Canadians don't have Buckwheat restaurants to enjoy neither supermarket to buy. Sorry. But don't worry hereafter you can come to us for eating and buying.
According to the Government, "Smoking" was defined as an epidemic of 20th century. Now they say "Obesity" is the epidemic of 21st century. In USA neary 65% and in Canada 55% of people are said to be obese. In Europe, EC made a Obesity Charter which member countries declared their obligation to tackle to this issue as their first priority problem. What would be the cause of this problem? Someone can simply say it's because of their DNA set in the races. It could be said so but more realistically I think it is a matter of the "life style". Cancer, diabetes, heart and blood related diseases etc are said to be "Adult diseases" or "Life Style diseases". Proper exercise , proper diet and proper way of living could prevent or even cure these diseases. It is very important to review our way of life and change it accordingly. Especially eat small, eat healthy is the key. Then you will realize possibility and status of buckwheat to this epidemic.

Grain Commission establishes grades for buckwheat among other grains. It classifies in 3 grades checking the degree of soundness, damages such as dehulled or immature and foreign materials such as cereal grains, ergot, stones etc. So I will carefully choose only "Canada No.1 Grade" for my business to serve you the best quality. There are many varieties of Buckwheat which Canada deserves to be proud of. As one of the most advanced country in Buckwheat study, Agriculture Canada thereafter succeeded by Kade Research Ltd, Morden Manitoba, developed many varieties. First variety was "Tokyo" which parent seeds were said to be brought from Japan, "Tempest", "Manor" were short lived, then came famous "Mancan", "Manor", "Manisoba" etc.. Latest varieties are "Koban" and "Koto" which are improved greatly the yeilding and quality. Shortly epoch-making self-pollinated new variety will be released and it will dramatically change the agricultural scenery and give a strong positive impact to the industry. Now in China as well as USA, they mainly grow "Mancan" which was named taking initials of Manitoba and Canada. So it would not be an overstatement to say that Canada is the king of the world buckwheat industry.

(I wrote above explanation only a few years ago(2003), but the pace of the studay goes very fast and in autumn 2005 first self-pollinated variety in the world "Koma" has been introduced to the market officially. But life span of the new variety is said to be only for 2/3 years and further improved new variety will be followed. What a surprising pace!
I am now using this Koma variety at Soba Sunday and quite happy to have support from our patrons. Colour, aroma and flavour are good and also workability at the time of making soba is excellent. So I'm very interested in next further improved new variety to come. But one sad thing is that it's getting more and more difficult to obtain other good old varieties. Written in 2006...)
(Now I'm writing in 2010 Situation has been totally changed...)

North American Buckwheat Promotional Committee
In December 2001, buckwheat related people from governments/private organizations mainly in Manitoba gathered together and formed this committee in order to develop and promote expanded use of buckwheat and its products by creating awareness of buckwheat's natural nutritional advantages and started acting as a technical advisory committee to the Canadian Special Crops Association. The committee quickly realized with consumer demand for foods with health benefits, along with the increased interest of functional foods and nutraceauticals, there was a need to educate consumers about the health benefits and nutritional attributes of buckwheat. A strategy was developed to educate health professionals (dietitians, food and nutrition professionals) of the nutritional attributes of buckwheat, who in turn would educate the public. Slow but steady will win the race.
We are also making promotional activities here in Ontario using CSCA's nice brochures at the Soba Workshops at Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre in Toronto or other hand making Soba Classes and of course at Soba Night on Tuesday.
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In Japan, the first record on Buckwheat appeared about 1300 years ago. It was the Nara Era and Empress Gensho encouraged the people to cultivate more buckwheat and wheat preparing for the famine. But it was only about 400 years ago in Edo Era (Tokugawa Shogun Era) when Soba in noodle style of eating was establishsed firmly. This was supported by the diffusion of the water mill and stone mill in both rural and urban areas. By that time granular style was common way of eating. Soba in noodle style was the food for the celebration or for gala occasion and felt something special. For example, at the time of moving to the new place of living, Japanese still buy Soba to their new neighbours (Hikkoshi Soba). Or at the New Year's Eve, we eat soba wishing for prosperous new year and longevity. Nowadays Soba establishes its reputation as one of the most sophisticated and refined foods in Japan backed up by the tradition and especially by stylish Edokko culture. Edokko can be defined as the people who lived in Edo (ancient name of Tokyo) for more than three generations and were very generous for spending everything in one night but with plenty of guts. To tell you the truth, I am also a semi-Edokko born in heart of Edo, Asakusa, and grown up there but only with 2 generations. Amongst many Soba styles, I will serve my Soba in line with the main stream of Edo Style which is the most advanced and refined style technically and also in quality and presentation.

Japan consumes about 125,000K/T of buckwheat per year but domestic production is only about 25,000K/T leaving self-sustenance ratio of only 20% of the total consumption. So Japan is the largest customer for Canadian Buckwheat but also severest demanding country in quality of the crop only buying No. 1 Grade of the new crops which can give desired flavour and aroma to its Soba. Canadian export to Japan in 5 years average ending year 2000 was about 6,700K/T. But we saw the declining tendency as China has eaten up Canadian share. (in 2007 Canadian export collapsed practically to zero due to a trouble in the international consortium. But in 2009 an endeavour to regain the lost market share has started and is expected to have a success shortly.) Why was Canadian share eaten up? Majority Canadian industry people explains that China has a geographical advantage together with its low labour costs but it's just a small part of the whole story or more straight forwardly I dare to say that such kind of excuse must have destroyed the once successful trade. I do feel that Canadian exporters' endeavour to sell their marchandise was somewhat unfocused and a lot of thing should be studied seriously in order to have a success in the aimed market.

 Remarks: 2002 Chinese figure shows 80,000M/T but figure of de-hulled groats of about 13,000K/T should be added onto their figure. Consequently China's actual share will be 71.2%

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In the world;   According to FAO statistics, world buckwheat harvest in 5 years average from 2000 to 2004 was reported to be 2.71 Million K/T. The biggest producer is China followed by Russia. Russia combined with Eastern Europeans shares about 40% of world production. By these two groups about 91% of the world production is covered though Russia is suffering poor harvest in recent years and getting buckwheat as food aids from USA.
Following chart will give you detailed World Production of Buckwheat in Metric Ton. (It is interesting to note the way of reporting the figures. It clearly shows the characteristics of their nations...)

As you can see from the chart below, quantity of world production is staying low because of a bad weather and changing to grow more lucrative crops such as beans or corns etc. Especially Canadian output is miserable. This is mainly because of a trouble of international consortium. But I think the worst time has already passed and from now on we will see a great improvement.

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