From 1-go servings to versatile arrangements! "Barley habit starting with 1 tablespoon" New lineup for the popular Okome ni Plus series! "Okome ni Plus Series Domestic Pearled Barley" to be released on September 1 (Tue)

Hakubaku Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chuo City, Yamanashi Prefecture, President and CEO: Shigetoshi Nagasawa), a leading grain company advocating for "staple food reform," will launch a new lineup in its "Okome ni Plus Series," which allows users to easily enjoy mixed-grain rice by adding just one tablespoon to their usual rice. The new product, "Domestic Pearled Barley," will be released on September 1, 2026.

The refined barley and mixed grain market, along with other rice-related markets, has seen renewed interest due to recent rice shortages and soaring prices. The market size is projected to expand significantly to 106.2% year-on-year in fiscal 2025, approximately 1.9 times larger than in 2015 (*1). While the expanding market has led to an increase in people trying mixed grains for the first time, the growth of single-person and dual-income households has revealed two challenges in the modern mixed-grain market: 1 The gap with 1-go serving needs: Approximately 30% of households cook 1-go servings (*2), but existing products are mainly for 2-3 go servings, making them difficult to arrange. 2 The hurdle of effort: In today's era where time performance is prioritized, "lack of ease" is the biggest barrier to trying mixed grains (*3).

The "Okome ni Plus Series" addresses these challenges and offers products that can be tried in small quantities, starting with just one tablespoon (or two tablespoons for domestic pearled barley) added to 1 go of rice. The three previously released products (Classic 15-Grain, Light 5-Grain, and Chewy 5-Grain) have recorded sales exceeding plans, supported by their ease of use, small portions, low prices, and the ability to freely choose the amount according to the day's side dishes. (*4) To broaden customer choices and enrich daily meals by allowing them to choose according to their daily side dishes and mood, we are newly releasing "Domestic Pearled Barley," which is rich in dietary fiber and offers a chewy, plump texture.

With a total of four products in the "Okome ni Plus Series" lineup, why not start a lifestyle of easily adding mixed grains to your rice from small portions?

Point 1: Easy and casual with "just add 2 tablespoons"

Enjoy pearled barley rice from a small portion by adding "2 tablespoons" to 1 go of white rice before cooking.

Point 2: Small-capacity, resealable bag & low trial price to fulfill the desire of mixed-grain beginners!

Designed in a convenient 300g resealable bag for first-time buyers of pearled barley rice.

Point 3: Deliciousness that can be enjoyed every day without strain

With a "chewy, plump texture" that pairs well with daily side dishes, you can easily get dietary fiber without compromising the taste of white rice.

*1 INDEX: SRI, SRI+ From 2017, SRI+ indicator: Market size

*2 Hakubaku Survey (n=6000)

*3 Hakubaku Survey (n=2000)

*4 Hakubaku Actual Results August 2025 - March 2026

◎ A new Reiwa era food proposal: "Changing rice to match side dishes"

The "Okome ni Plus Series" utilizes Hakubaku's long-cultivated expertise in mixed grains, with over 100 cooking tests and taste evaluations conducted to create blends that consider compatibility with side dishes. For fried foods, use Light 5-Grain; for richly flavored dishes, use Classic 15-Grain; for fish dishes, use Chewy 5-Grain; and for donburi, use pearled barley. By changing the rice to match the side dish, the flavor balance is improved, and the umami of the side dish is maximized.

Rice, which was previously eaten without much thought, can be enhanced with mixed grains, making each bite of side dish even more flavorful and offering a new sense of delight.

Okome ni Plus Series Website URL: https://www.hakubaku.co.jp/brand/okomeniplus/

◎ Product Overview

Release Date: September 1, 2026

Sales Region: Nationwide

Contents: 300g

Suggested Retail Price (tax included): 486 yen

Shelf Life: 360 days

Features: Just add 2 tablespoons to your usual rice!

Domestic pearled barley that allows you to deliciously consume dietary fiber with a chewy, plump texture.

◎ Comments from the Product Development Manager of the "Okome ni Plus Series"

Hina Takashima, Marketing Department, Management Planning Division

We are pleased to announce the release of "Domestic Pearled Barley 300g" as a new addition to the "Okome ni Plus Series." This series has been developed with a focus on ease of use, catering to those who want to incorporate pearled barley or mixed grains for health reasons but find it seems troublesome, or those who want to try it in small quantities first. This product achieves overwhelming ease of use by simply adding "2 tablespoons" to 1 go of white rice before cooking. Because it is a single-pack resealable stand-up pouch, not individually packaged, it is easy to use for small portions like 1-go servings, and its flexibility in adjusting the ratio according to the day's mood and preference is a major appeal.

Furthermore, the "chewy, plump texture" of this "Domestic Pearled Barley" is its greatest feature, pairing perfectly with daily side dishes. You can easily consume dietary fiber from your daily meals without compromising the deliciousness of plain white rice.

With the addition of this "Domestic Pearled Barley" to the existing three types of blended mixed grains (Classic 15-Grain, Light 5-Grain, and Chewy 5-Grain), the enjoyment of choosing rice to match the day's menu has further expanded. We have also paid attention to the package design, which emphasizes "clarity" common to the series, so that even first-time buyers can choose with confidence without hesitation from the mixed grain shelf in stores. We hope that this "Okome ni Plus Series" will add a new texture of enjoyment and easy health to your dining table. Please find your favorite by choosing according to your mood for the day.