In recent years, not a single day goes by without hearing the phrases "environmentally-friendly" or "save the earth." These words often sound somewhat hypocritical and obtrusive. Of course, it is important to think about what one can do for the earth, but isn't there any way to contribute to the environment by doing something you do every day in a more subtle manner? There is and it is something simple.
The key is to think about what is good for your health. For example, organic farming prevents environmental contamination by chemical substances such as pesticides. Food prepared at home does not produce excess garbage, unlike when you eat fast food. "Hara Donuts," where you will always find a long queue, especially in Tokyo, practices "environmentally-friendly-as-a-result" by selling take-out sweets made from unique Japanese ingredients that are good for your health.
Currently, take-out donut shop Hara Donuts operates fourteen stores (correct as of April 17,2009), mainly in the Kanto region. With its concept of being "delicious, healthy and safe to eat," the store uses domestically produced whole wheat flour, highly nutritious brown eggs and unbleached soft brown sugar as ingredients. Its donuts contain no preservatives whatsoever. The delicious secret of Hara Donuts lies in one ingredient, "okara," which is a by-product produced during the process of making soy milk and tofu. Furthermore, Mr. Okai, the owner, has the strict policy of only using soy milk and okara produced at the "Hara Tofu Shop" in Minatogawa, Kobe, the shop that gave Hara Donuts its name.
The Hara Tofu Shop, which was established in 1968, is also particular about the ingredients it uses and follows the traditional method of making tofu. It only uses soy beans produced in Hokkaido, deep seawater from Kochi and natural bittern produced in Akaho for firming the tofu. The donuts containing okara produced from quality tofu and soy milk delivered directly from the Hara Tofu Shop every day, have a soft and sticky feel on the tongue, while the okara provides a touch of sweetness. They have an irresistibly mild taste.
Although tofu has become a well-known food all over the world, okara, its by-product, is surprisingly unknown. Okara is produced when soy beans are pressed to make soy milk. Despite the fact that it is rich in fiber and highly nutritious, it mostly goes to waste since it easily spoils and the supply outweighs the demand.
Mr. Okai, who was endeavoring to make a safe and reliable snack using soy milk, visited several dozen tofu shops in search of tasty soy milk. One day he came across the Hara Tofu Shop and received a bag of okara, which led to the birth of the current okara donuts. When he was a child, his grandmother used to quickly make simple donuts while frying croquets for dinner. With the addition of soy milk and okara, Hara Donuts are even healthier than Mr. Okai's grandmother's donuts and have become so popular that you have to line up if you want one.
The packaging is a simple brown paper bag with a donut sticker. The shop attendants will ask you if you need a plastic carry bag before handing you the donuts. Offering things that are friendly to both your health and the earth comes naturally to Mr. Okai and his staff.
Children can often be seen joyfully eating the delicious donuts outside the Hara Donuts store. These safe and reliable snacks will teach children the taste of genuine ingredients, something that they will never forget, even when they grow up. The homey and nostalgic taste of the donuts also brings smiles to the faces of adults. The real charm of Hara Donuts probably lies in these facts, rather than in their beneficial effect on the environment.
