昆布 / Kombu

北海道生產的昆布因品質高而著名，其歷史十分悠久。在13世紀時，由阿伊努民族所採收的昆布被運送到當時的首都-京都，成為了宮廷中和武士的珍寶。到17世紀以後昆布成為庶民都可以獲得的物品，擴大它的消費量。近年來養殖昆布也很盛行。北海道生產昆布第一名的是函館市，其次是根室市、Erimo町、浜中町、厚岸町。

Hokkaido is famous for kombu, or kelp in English. Kombu contains glutamic acid and has a good flavor. The history of kombu harvesting is long. In the 13th century, kombu which the Ainu , Hokkaido's indigenous people, collected  was sent to Kyoto, the capital city at that time for the high-class people. After the 17th century, kombu became popular among all citizens, and consumption increased. Now, kombu farming in the sea is commonplace. The top production locationn in Hokkaido is Hakodate City. The next four largest, in order, are Nemuro City, Erimo Town, Hamanaka Town, and Akkeshi Town.