next new material
The value of "Midori Koji"
spread it to the world

Speaking of Our main material, it is "Ishigakijima Euglena". From supplements and beverages to raw materials for cosmetics, it has now grown into a widely recognized presence.
On the other hand, in order to pursue further possibilities of Euglena, progress was also being made in the development of new materials that take advantage of its characteristics. During the research, a hypothesis was born that Euglena 's ability to activate lactic acid bacteria might be compatible with fungi. Therefore, we focused on koji mold, which is designated as a “national fungus” among fungi, and started the “Euglena x koji mold” project.

The key to promoting this project was teaming up with a koji mold professional. Therefore, it was decided to negotiate with Akita Prefecture, which had been connected in joint research on Euglena feed.
“The new material development team at the time negotiated with Akita Prefecture and introduced us to Akita Konno Shoten. It is a long-established store that still makes koji by hand.It seems that with a reliable partner, research and development of a new material that combines Euglena and koji mold has begun.”

That's what Hisato Ando of the Material and Overseas Business Department says. Currently, I am in charge of Midori Koji products and OEM sales.

Ando (right) introducing Midori Koji

“By fermenting other ingredients, koji mold has the effect of softening the ingredients and bringing out their sweetness and umami. Studies have also proven that Euglena has the effect of activating lactic acid bacteria. After two years of repeated trial and error, we finally found the best combination of Euglena and Aspergillus oryzae. I found the balance, and 'Midori Koji' was completed."

Here's how to make green koji.
Sprinkle Euglena and koji starter on the steamed rice and mix by hand. After that, each grain is loosened by hand so that it becomes loose. Leave it for a day and put it in the koji lid to grow the koji mold. The dried product becomes "Midori Koji".

“Midori Koji,” which was completed after a two-year development period, is truly a premium koji, says Ando.
“In general, koji has an enzyme potency, and it is expected to have an effect on intestinal regulation and beautiful skin. We obtained data that green koji has an enzyme potency that is several times higher than that of general koji. Enzymes As you age, it decreases, so it's important to get it from your diet, but I think green koji is the best.In addition, it contains an ingredient called ergothioneine, which has been attracting attention recently, and it removes active oxygen and prevents dementia. There is also data showing that Midori-koji contains about three times more ergothioneine than common koji.”

Supplement “Midori Koji” at the time of its release

Midori koji can be expected to have a pleasant effect on people of all ages, regardless of age or gender. There were high expectations within the company that it could become a new material next to Euglena.

“Midori koji was completed and we were able to successfully obtain a patent. First of all, we launched an easy-to-take supplement as our own product, and then conducted sales activities to have various companies use it as an OEM raw material in their products. Since it was a new material that had never existed before, the response from companies was excellent, so I thought, ``This might be possible,'' but troubles occurred with large customers, and sales volume decreased. Unfortunately, at first, it did not reach the point where it became a new material next to Euglena.”

想定外のトラブルに見舞われるも、安藤はあきらめなかった。ミドリ麹という素材ブランドを、一から仕切りなおすことにしたのである。
「改めて、ミドリ麴の価値を見直しました。お客さまにわかりやすい形でストーリーを伝える必要があると考え、一番の課題である認知の低さを改善するために、原点である秋田県に立ち戻り企画をつくることにしました。」

About two years after Midori-koji was completed in 2018, Midori-koji's repositioning measures will start.
“It was a tough situation, but I believed that people would appreciate the wonders of Midori-koji if they tried it,” explains Ando.

“To that end, we implemented various measures in Akita Prefecture, the birthplace of Midori Koji. We asked companies to spread the word and recruited partner companies.Then, we received voices of support from many local companies.Of course, Midori Koji uses local ingredients, but this ingredient has become famous. It seems that they were able to sympathize with the contribution to the local community by becoming.”

Example of a collaboration product between a company in Akita Prefecture and Midori Koji

It is said that only long-established and well-known companies in the prefecture came forward to develop collaborative products with Midori Koji. For this reason, the local people also accepted it, wondering if that company had made it.

“With the help of President Konno, we have been able to develop many sweets and drinks for leading local companies. Through this initiative, I believe that the existence of Midori Koji has gradually become known in Akita Prefecture. We plan to use the knowledge and experience that we have gained from this project to carry out nationwide recognition measures.”

According to Ando, he already has many ideas for promoting Midori Koji. The rapid advance of green koji has only just begun.

Posted in June 2023