Modified and translated by CFJA
3) The Relationship Between Eating and the Seasons
Earthly food refers to the foods we obtain from the earth. These include animal products, plants, minerals, and even artificial foods. Unlike traditional shops, supermarkets today are overflowing with food, including many items from overseas. While this environment offers great convenience, it also lacks a sense of locality and seasonality. Tomatoes, eggplants, and various fish fillets are available year-round, and most people no longer feel any discomfort about this.
Here, it’s essential to consider the issue of quality. Vegetables harvested in their natural season have higher nutritional value. While it may be challenging to eat freshly picked vegetables, ideally, we should consume them within a few days of harvest. Vegetables harvested in their prime season are called “seasonal vegetables,” and consuming them during this period can make a significant difference in both taste and nutritional content. For the sake of maintaining good health, understanding seasonal vegetables is crucial. With advanced refrigeration and freezing technology, it’s harder to recognize seasonality, but this knowledge can be invaluable for lifelong health.
From another perspective, consuming out-of-season vegetables, which lack optimal nutrition, may do little to support health.
In Japan, we have a concept called “shun” (seasonality), originally applied to vegetables. However, it’s now often misused, as in “seasonal saury fish” (which doesn’t strictly apply to fish). Misuse on television and other media has likely contributed to this misunderstanding, and hopefully, it won’t lead to incorrect dietary practices.
Fish, as living creatures, are classified similarly to other animals like cows, pigs, and chickens, and tend to be more toxic than vegetables. When considering the quality of animal products, freshness is key. While meat and fish sold in stores are typically fresh enough, improper storage after purchase can lead to viral or parasitic growth. Special caution is needed when eating raw fish (sashimi). Many Japanese people enjoy sashimi, but there are reports that over half experience chronic hepatitis A about three weeks after consumption. Eating fresh meat and fish is vital for maintaining health.
Consuming foods aligned with the seasons and timing of their natural life cycles is essential for sustaining life.
Next>