New Proposal to Enjoy Okinawan Island Chili Peppers with "Differentiated Spiciness": "OKINAWA Shimatou Lab" Launches 3 Products
Keres Okinawa Co., Ltd. will launch three new spice products under the brand "OKINAWA Shimatou Lab," utilizing Okinawan island chili peppers, on April 15, 2026. The products, "Research No.001 Roughly Ground Ichimi," "Research No.002 Whole for Pickling," and "Research No.003 All-purpose Furikake," will be available at retail stores in Okinawa and on the Yaeyama Farm online shop. The brand aims to foster a culture of understanding and mastering the spiciness of traditional Okinawan chili peppers.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 7, 2026 at 22:35
- 🔍 Collected: May 7, 2026 at 14:01
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 7, 2026 at 14:34 (32 min after Collected)
Keres Okinawa Co., Ltd. is launching a new spice brand, "OKINAWA Shimatou Lab," using Okinawan island chili peppers, and will release three products: "Research No.001 Roughly Ground Ichimi," "Research No.002 Whole for Pickling," and "Research No.003 All-purpose Furikake," starting April 15, 2026, at retail stores in Okinawa and on the e-commerce site (Yaeyama Farm Online Shop).
Through this series, we aim to create a culture of understanding and mastering the spiciness of traditional Okinawan chili peppers. "Shimatou Lab" is a new brand that has researched the unique characteristics of Okinawan island chili peppers, not just in terms of their intensity (simple spiciness), but also how they behave in dishes, making it easy for anyone to choose without hesitation.
Research No.001 Roughly Ground Ichimi (Spiciness 4) Tax included 698 yen
Research No.002 Whole for Pickling (Spiciness 4) Tax included 698 yen
Research No.003 All-purpose Furikake (Spiciness 1) Tax included 698 yen
[Recommended Ways to Enjoy]
"Research No.001 Roughly Ground Ichimi" is a product that enhances the aroma and spiciness of island chili peppers by being coarsely ground. It is suitable for finishing dishes such as soba, udon, Okinawa soba, miso soup, cold tofu, grilled fish, and steak. A sprinkle at the end of cooking enhances the aroma and spiciness.
"Research No.002 Whole for Pickling" is a product that, by being used whole without chopping or crushing, gradually transfers its spiciness and aroma to seasonings over time. It can be used for Koregusu (Awamori-pickled chili), oil pickles, vinegar pickles, soy sauce pickles, and salt pickles. You can enjoy making homemade seasonings by adding 5 chilies per 100ml of seasoning, with a guideline of about two weeks.
"Research No.003 All-purpose Furikake" is a product that combines fried onions, roasted sesame seeds, brown sugar, Japanese pepper, and Sichuan pepper, resulting in a blend where even a small amount retains spiciness and aroma. It pairs well with everyday meals such as rice, stir-fried vegetables, french fries, and okonomiyaki, allowing for easy enjoyment of flavor variations.
[Future Developments]
Keres Okinawa Co., Ltd., together with Yaeyama Farm Co., Ltd., an agricultural production corporation, will continue to develop products and disseminate information that leverage the natural blessings of Okinawa. For the "Shimatou Lab" brand, we are also considering expanding with green chili peppers and other varieties of chili peppers, delivering the charm of the ingredients in a form that is easy to incorporate into daily meals.
[About Keres Okinawa Co., Ltd. / Yaeyama Farm Co., Ltd.]
Keres Okinawa Co., Ltd. / Yaeyama Farm Co., Ltd., as a member of the Rohto Pharmaceutical Group, is engaged in sixth-sector industrialization in Okinawa Prefecture. From the production of agricultural and livestock products to food processing, distribution, and sales, all are carried out by their own group companies, practicing environmentally friendly agriculture (circular agriculture). They aim to create new food and agriculture businesses and added value by providing unique regional products and services.
[Company Profile]
Company Name: Keres Okinawa Co., Ltd. / Agricultural Production Corporation Yaeyama Farm Co., Ltd.
Head Office Location: 554-1 Hirae, Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture
Representative Director: Yohei Shimada
Business Activities: Agricultural management, production, processing, and sales of agricultural and livestock products, manufacturing and sales of salt, soft drinks, and juices, etc.
Established: Keres Okinawa (December 14, 1995), Yaeyama Farm (December 2002)
Through this series, we aim to create a culture of understanding and mastering the spiciness of traditional Okinawan chili peppers. "Shimatou Lab" is a new brand that has researched the unique characteristics of Okinawan island chili peppers, not just in terms of their intensity (simple spiciness), but also how they behave in dishes, making it easy for anyone to choose without hesitation.
Research No.001 Roughly Ground Ichimi (Spiciness 4) Tax included 698 yen
Research No.002 Whole for Pickling (Spiciness 4) Tax included 698 yen
Research No.003 All-purpose Furikake (Spiciness 1) Tax included 698 yen
[Recommended Ways to Enjoy]
"Research No.001 Roughly Ground Ichimi" is a product that enhances the aroma and spiciness of island chili peppers by being coarsely ground. It is suitable for finishing dishes such as soba, udon, Okinawa soba, miso soup, cold tofu, grilled fish, and steak. A sprinkle at the end of cooking enhances the aroma and spiciness.
"Research No.002 Whole for Pickling" is a product that, by being used whole without chopping or crushing, gradually transfers its spiciness and aroma to seasonings over time. It can be used for Koregusu (Awamori-pickled chili), oil pickles, vinegar pickles, soy sauce pickles, and salt pickles. You can enjoy making homemade seasonings by adding 5 chilies per 100ml of seasoning, with a guideline of about two weeks.
"Research No.003 All-purpose Furikake" is a product that combines fried onions, roasted sesame seeds, brown sugar, Japanese pepper, and Sichuan pepper, resulting in a blend where even a small amount retains spiciness and aroma. It pairs well with everyday meals such as rice, stir-fried vegetables, french fries, and okonomiyaki, allowing for easy enjoyment of flavor variations.
[Future Developments]
Keres Okinawa Co., Ltd., together with Yaeyama Farm Co., Ltd., an agricultural production corporation, will continue to develop products and disseminate information that leverage the natural blessings of Okinawa. For the "Shimatou Lab" brand, we are also considering expanding with green chili peppers and other varieties of chili peppers, delivering the charm of the ingredients in a form that is easy to incorporate into daily meals.
[About Keres Okinawa Co., Ltd. / Yaeyama Farm Co., Ltd.]
Keres Okinawa Co., Ltd. / Yaeyama Farm Co., Ltd., as a member of the Rohto Pharmaceutical Group, is engaged in sixth-sector industrialization in Okinawa Prefecture. From the production of agricultural and livestock products to food processing, distribution, and sales, all are carried out by their own group companies, practicing environmentally friendly agriculture (circular agriculture). They aim to create new food and agriculture businesses and added value by providing unique regional products and services.
[Company Profile]
Company Name: Keres Okinawa Co., Ltd. / Agricultural Production Corporation Yaeyama Farm Co., Ltd.
Head Office Location: 554-1 Hirae, Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture
Representative Director: Yohei Shimada
Business Activities: Agricultural management, production, processing, and sales of agricultural and livestock products, manufacturing and sales of salt, soft drinks, and juices, etc.
Established: Keres Okinawa (December 14, 1995), Yaeyama Farm (December 2002)