Duration 11:4

Meet The Master Making One Of The Rarest Vinegars In Japan | Still Standing

by Business Insider

1 724 500 watched

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Published 27 Jan 2023

Kurozu is Japanese black vinegar made using a 200-year-old technique of naturally fermenting ingredients outdoors in giant clay pots. It takes at least a year until it’s complete, with some of the best batches aging from three to five years. Sakamoto Kurozu is one of eight vinegar makers that haven’t changed the process. For more information visit http://www.kurozu.co.jp/eng/rekishi.html, and to purchase a bottle visit http://www.tsubobatake.jp/shop/item/sakamotonokurozu/ . MORE STILL STANDING VIDEOS: Meet Five Egyptian Artisans Keeping Their Country’s Ancient Crafts | Still Standing /watch/8yHYT15G0e8GY How The Last Artificial Flower Factory In NYC Handcrafts Designs For Celebrities | Still Standing /watch/018tKhgHnsEHt How 11 Ancient Crafts Survived For Centuries | Still Standing | Insider Business /watch/IyMH4FNaFRZaH ------------------------------------------------------ #JapaneseBlackVinegar #StillStanding #insiderbusiness Business Insider tells you all you need to know about business, finance, tech, retail, and more. Visit our homepage for the top stories of the day: https://www.businessinsider.com Insider Business on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/businessinsider Insider Business on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/insiderbusiness Insider Business on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/businessinsider Insider Business on Snapchat: https://www.snapchat.com/discover/Business_Insider/5319643143 Insider Business on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ businessinsider How Japan’s Rarest Vinegar Ages For 3 Years On A Field Of 52,000 Clay Pots | Still Standing

Category News & Politics

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Business Insider

Business News

Cooking

Japan

Black vinegar

Recipes

Clay pots

Fermentation

Comments - 649

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@peace4myheartlast year The people in these videos usually work at the same job for 30 or 40 years. It can't be just the culture. I think they are actually passionate and love their work. 1457
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@rafaelperalta1676last year Japanese craftsmen always fascinate me. They're so dedicated to their crafts and the passion shines through in their products/works of art. 782
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@alexnslast year Watching a person who's been perfecting their craft over the years up until close to their retirement is such a joy, the passion they demonstrate for their craft is incomparable. 176
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@HappilyMundanelast year Only double the price of mass produced vinegar? That's actually exceedingly good value for the time and effort that comparatively goes into making this. 209
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@RySL668 months ago I couldn't believe my ears hearing about this guy who's family has been making pottery for 15 GENERATIONS, absolutely outstanding! You have to admire such a dedication to traditional business operations. There is such a passion from the children and grandchildren (and so on) of the businesses and the locals who continue to buy from such storied establishments. ... 15
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@KaleighMacKaylast year I have so much respect for anyone that pours so much dedication and passion In to perfecting their craft. 136
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@scottyelder8351last year The Japanese are just outrageous at their artisan master crafts I'm so impressed with their amazing skills 💫✝️✨ 22
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@velocirapture89last year I love how the traditional Japanese artisans have immense amounts of patience. It's thoroughly inspiring. 28
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@cdubs9918last year So many of these videos are about Japanese craftsmen. Everything from Vinegar to Bonsai scissors to fruit and Swords....the Japanese are singularly minded and dedicated to craft and perfection. Its amazing. 16
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@Clklomlast year My grandmother used to make this type of vinegar in this type of pots at home. We had rice fields in our village and also brown rice. All the villagers used to come to buy at our place and it was the best vinegar ever. 52
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@CUMBICA1970last year Kurozu is probably the most consumed vinegar in Japan. We all know the "authentic" ones are from Kagoshima, but there are countless brands around (Mizkan being the most ubiquitous.) It's kinda staple in the modern Japanese diet rather like a healthy drink than a condiment (think apple cider vinegar.) ... 95
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@akhilrai6867last year Japanese are extraordinary people. Huge respect for them. 23
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@Miss_universe_2025last year Japanese love and dedication to their crafts is just beautiful 6
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@thegreencompany2101last year Fascinating to see how dedicated these Japanese people are to their job!🙌🏼 78
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@robertlygo4762last year Can we just appreciate how good these insider business vids are. So good! 40
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@vesper2950last year
Her: running the 420 year old business
Me: nice 7
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@gabrielwishburnelast year I stand respectfully and with mouth open while seeing that high degree of compassion and dedication for this traditional process. (Almost) unbelievable. 7
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@armartin0003last year Yum. So satisfyingly to watch Japanese craftsmen at work. 8
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@bren70678 months ago It's something so peaceful about this video.
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@elijahjns819 months ago Very cool. I love the old school craftmanship and the story. We shouldn't pretend that this is the only way this could be made. 1
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@benjaminblakemore9704last year Wow 👌 anything the Japanese touch is just perfection, they are such skillful artisans. Love this channel 19
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@PatrickTanahanlast year Such a fascinating craft. Thank you for sharing these stories! 🙌🏼 4
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@JohnHausserlast year 🇯🇵 meticulousness at its finesse
Cheers from San Diego California 🇺🇸 10
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@Patrick0900last year It's an interesting method and a long tradition between two families. I like this story, and thank you for sharing with us. And also for taking the time to make this video. 6
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@cliffthompson41498 months ago The Japanese people are notorious for the most intelligent and scientific people in the world when it comes to detail. I have to say you guys have mastered everything! 1
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@Youknowmeozone10 months ago The attention to detail is mind blowing .. excellence is no accident 1
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@SodiumSyndicatelast year You don't pay just for the product - you also pay for the value of their life, their dedication, their loyalty to their family & ancestry. />In an age where people throw away dignity & values for money - these traditional families protect their dignity over money. That is to be valued. ... 3
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@Mashiroro2 months ago This is so cool to see! Back in 2016, I helped out as a temp with the president of Sakamoto Kurozu selling these at a food fair in a Japanese supermarket in San Jose California. It’s some top tier vinegar for sure, I am trying to get my hands on some again since I don’t know if it’s available anymore. 😅 ... 1
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@allythearts54398 months ago I love how the vases are lined against one another so neatly
I'm itching to take a picture 🖼️ lol
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@macym57last year I Love and Respect Japanese work ethics, dedication, discipline and preserving age old skills passing them to the coming generations. 17
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@i_fuze_hostages611 months ago I really love the fact that some people will preserve their culture out of love for it it’s different hearing someone who is actually passionate about their job compared to a downer who hates theirs 1
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@aswarrior6365last year I love all types of vinegar. I’d love to try this 2
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@ikko4107last year 鹿児島の坂本の黒酢ですね！旅行で実際にここに併設されている資料館内の料理店で黒酢料理を頂きましたがとても美味しかった記憶があります。もちろん様々な黒酢製品も割安で販売されています。また黒酢畑と桜島と錦江湾の織りなす景色が美しかったです。鹿児島旅行の際はオススメです！ 5
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@henryterranauta9100last year 👏🏼👏🏼Great reportage👏🏼👏🏼Please show more traditions from Asia👏🏼 4
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@AndreiiJikhh_last year I always love videos I see on this channel because they are always energetic and full of adventure, adventures are always good for the mind it’s too bad that most times lack of finance makes them virtually impossible 15
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@arila_34last year Really so hardworking people in Japan always amazing 😇
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@bisin8710 months ago I bought a bottle of this vinegar after I first saw this ep. And hey it's a really nice! kinda like a milder apple cider vinegar with an extra earthy... something. Its not gonna blow your culinary mind, but I feel like it was definitely worth the 20$ or whatever for a bottle. Its gonna last me about a year and I cook with it pretty often. Plus helping keep a traditional craft alive feels good as heck. ... 2
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@nerd26373last year These are just fascinating to learn more about. We look forward to seeing more content like this. 22
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@grumblekinlast year It’s delicious. I use this vinegar often
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@oneshotmelast year Enjoyed your video and I gave it a Thumbs Up
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@hoviksmail8 months ago If you can't expand out because of land restrictions, try expanding up. They could fit way more products with a vertical shelf setup. 1
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@rahulgazi27819 months ago These types of craftsmen has more experience than my age.
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@Antilulslast year that little insect scurrying around RIP homeboy. 2
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@gaveintothedarknesslast year Anything Japan: "It takes years just to learn how to carry the pots and place them in the field" 15
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@mitchtheronin1469last year I love the brewmaster😂 he can be an amazing beat boxer aswell. Lol his description was like „pokop pokop“ „gaaaaahhh“ „duff duff“ 😂 1
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@Rose-bi2rglast year That’s so cool! I love the dedication and I hope to buys some 3
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@chrisbarnett5593last year Wow! Even vinegar has to have an exotic line.
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@escapetarkov38389 months ago Just think about that. 40 years was only 8 batches. Crazy. 1
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@adrianboshoff158210 months ago I have taken a simple vinegar and added flavour that my friends say wow... Imagine this... ❤❤❤
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@mho...last year first i thought:
respect to the old brewmaster, but then you add in a 400+years pottery family business into the mix 😲just great to see traditions/craftsmanship kept alive!
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@Kizaratlast year Something about the way the Japanese do things is absolutely fascinating. 1
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@solaikrishnavenivijayakuma8443last year Japan 30-40 years same technique using fermentation process one year
Count I like that 52000 clay (pot)
That year Diwali I started using clay pot in my celebration as a new beginning 2022. I love old age people doing jobs with passion and perseverance. ... 2
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@TheDreamerintheStarlightlast year Just remember: this guy spends his entire life making vinegar while you sit on a screen 3
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@lucasdavid5564last year My mouth was watering everytime they smelled the vinegar 🤣 1
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@Renwoxing13last year If I was a Japanese citizen of this location, I would rent out my land for storage and aging of these pots!.
Of course that would be based on several contingencies outside the control of the brewers, such as:
Children needing pools, playground equipment, basically just a spot for then to play.
Whether I was into gardening ; whether that be floral and ornamental for growing produce, or even owning Pets / farm animals.
Barring those reasons and possibly a few I am not thinking of.....
Having rows of those black pots on yiur land is actually an ornamental display in its own right !.
It actually has a very artistically beautiful ambience all of its own !
If I had no use for my land I would definately appreciate the beauty of the pottery all lined up on my property!
Not to mention the passive income I would receive from leasing the land, of course at a fair and agreed upon rate!
Such an arrangement is both beautiful, work free, and beneficial for all parties !!!
I mean, I think even the dumbest of party pooping neighbors [ idk how common those are in japan ] can not deny the beauty of those pots arranged in such a way !!!
The smell I imagine would even be pleasant a day appetite inducing for any neighbors! ...
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@stanislavivanov4505last year Looking one of the many amazing things in Japan... And the special voice for the USA humanoids comparing factory with American football stadiums 👏 1
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@tomlongworth5387last year I wonder how many batches end up not making the cut, it seems super controlled for quality 2
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@sawaomanabe9 months ago sound effect at was uncalled for
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@MegaMijitlast year i love vinegar and japan! would love to taste Japanese black vinegar! 6
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@FinancialShinaniganlast year Just like Japanese artisans, Japanese pots dedicate years to master their art of fermentation 16
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@MrAngenoslast year I bought that 4 year aged soy sauce from these videos last time… D E LICIOUS!
now ima have to try this… 2
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@hailesalassierasterfari6218last year Sou or black vinegar can you tell and or taste the differences in flavors when cooked in certain foods?
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@arificiallemon364011 months ago Japaneese craftsmen are too perfect nobody else can compete
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@I_AM_BEOWULFlast year Looks like those damn death jars in Prometheus 5
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@nikkapubess3349last year If I lived in Japan, I want to be the best janitor known to man. I'll dedicate 50yrs of my life to janitorial work! 1
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@Matityahu755last year Every country has their artisans, but Nihon seems to have them in abundance. The skill and dedication to their craft is truly amazing.
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@srb2098last year This reminds me of the jars from Prometheus. 2
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@themoddedguy7765last year That's the number I like to hear! 2
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@elliothammer2083last year IF YOU DON'T FIND MEANS OF MULTIPLYING YOUR MONEY, YOU WILL WAKE UP ONE DAY REALIZING THAT THE MONEY YOU THOUGHT YOU HAD HAS BEEN FINISHED, INVESTMENT IS THE GREATEST KEY 🗝️ OF ALL. 9
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@mysterymayhem7020last year pretty amazing to think that the pottery business has been in business longer than the United States has existed. 2
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@BorisGrifo10 months ago can you use this instead of using olive oil and or butter?
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@pikakillah_80158 months ago yeah that bug is helping out 1
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@xxfloppypillowxx4 months ago Feels like part of why it's so rare is because of the geographical designation rather than it being the inability to scale because rice is a shelf stable product that could be shipped, the mold could be shipped. Like this specific part of Japan isn't the only place in the world that has this climate. Not saying that's a bad thing and based on time commitment to cost it feels like the price should be much higher than only double. ...
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@a.qayumnoor370last year Thank you,
This is much valued human being activities.
As I know a bit, the more older vinegar is the better one!
I am much wondering about chemical formulation of a 10 years old vinegar. This type of vinegar which kept for more than ten years is like valuable medicine of hepatitis disease of liver.
Note: a twenty years old of vinegar can be a medicine for cancer disease. Not through eating, just put on the center of cancer disease. A little difficult job :)
Arigato ...
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@HULLGRAFFITIlast year I love malt vinigar on fish n chips...wonder how differnt this is. 1
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@HCDVelcra9 months ago Fisr thing Id come up with, are 20 to 30cm stands for those pots - my back aches instantly I see this ^^
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@EDGEscience8 months ago Why don't they build palettes and shelves to hold a second layer of pots? Build up not out? 1
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@Lu_Cidtriplast year So this must be the prequel to Prometheus 2
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@onlytruth-ep3lvlast year In rural India we use the same method by using sugar cane juice...the clay pot is most important 2
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@SamuraiSama9 months ago Amazing craftsman ship. But I see some bug in rice when filling the water. I guess it adds more taste :P