Nanakusa-gayu, or Seven Herb Rice Porridge- Japanese home cooking class in Tokyo
Nanakusa-gayu, or Seven Herb Rice Porridge, is a traditional Japanese dish eaten on the morning of January 7th. It is made with "spring's seven herbs": water dropwort, shepherd's purse, cudweed, chickweed, nipplewort, turnip, and daikon radish.
This custom is believed to bring good health and ward off illness for the year ahead.The origin of Nanakusa-gayu can be traced back to China's "Jinjitsu no Sekku" festival, which was introduced to Japan during the Nara period and later evolved into its current form by blending with Japanese customs.
"Seven Herbs of Spring" (春の七草):
せり (芹): Japanese parsley (Oenanthe javanica)
なずな (薺、別名ぺんぺん草): Shepherd's purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris)
ごぎょう (御形): Jersey cudweed (Gnaphalium affine)
はこべら (繁縷): Chickweed (Stellaria media)
ほとけのざ (仏の座): Henbit dead-nettle (Lamium amplexicaule)
すずな (菘、かぶのこと): Turnip
すずしろ (蘿蔔、大根のこと): Japanese radish or daikon- Japanese home cooking class in Tokyo
Recipe for Nanakusa-gayu (Serves 2-3)
Ingredients:
1/2 cup rice
600ml water
1 pack of seven herbs (pre-packaged set)
1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions:
Wash the rice and place it in a pot with 600ml of water.
Bring to a boil over medium heat, then reduce to low and simmer for about 20 minutes.
Briefly blanch the seven herbs, drain, and roughly chop into 6-7mm pieces.
When the porridge is cooked, season with salt and gently mix in the chopped herbs.
While traditionally eaten on the morning of January 7th, Nanakusa-gayu can be enjoyed at any time of day or on nearby dates.
Seven Herbs of Spring (春の七草)- Japanese home cooking class in TOKYO
Health Benefits;
The seven herbs, often referred to as Japanese herbs, are particularly beneficial for digestive recovery after New Year's celebrations.
Each herb has its own properties:
Water dropwort: aids digestion and reduces fever
Shepherd's purse: beneficial for liver health and high blood pressure
Nanakusa-gayu is more than just a tradition; it embodies the wisdom of ancestors, combining cultural practices with natural remedies. By participating in this custom, one can appreciate Japanese culture, nature's bounty, and pray for good health in the new year.
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