The appeal of beets, which we chose to connect our farms with our lives
BETTE aims to connect farming with daily life and explore the benefits of making things by hand. It is important to be conscious of where your daily meals come from and to value the time you spend with your ingredients. We chose beets as a means to achieve this.
Have you ever wondered, "What kind of vegetable is beet?"
Beets are not something we are familiar with in our daily lives. They are used in salads and smoothies at cafes, but we can't imagine what they taste like. Their vivid red-purple color is impressive, but we don't know how to eat them properly... You may have felt that way at some point.
Beets are not only striking with their vivid purple-red color, but they are also a vegetable that has a rich flavor that is brought out by cooking them slowly, and is highly nutritious. They also have a high preservation capacity and can be processed in a wide range of ways, so they can be enjoyed in a variety of ways in your daily life.
Our goal is not to "popularize" beets.
However, we hope that beets can be a catalyst that will create time for people to interact with food in their daily lives, and help them experience the joy of putting in the effort and the richness of living in harmony with nature. With this in mind, we work with producers to grow beets, transform them into foods that can easily be integrated into everyday life, and deliver them to you.
This time, we will introduce you to the history, nutritional value, and recommended ways to eat our beloved beets.
◼️Beets have been loved since ancient Greece
Beets are a round, turnip-like, reddish-purple root vegetable, also known as table beets or red beets . They are said to have originated on the Mediterranean coast, and were valued as medicinal plants in ancient Greece and Rome, before later becoming popular as food.
The name of the beet comes from the Celtic word bette , which is also our brand name, meaning "red," and as the name suggests, it is characterized by its vivid reddish purple color. It has a gentle sweetness, like carrots in miso soup .
In Japan, it became widely known for its use in the traditional Russian dish borsch, but in recent years its high nutritional value has led to it gradually becoming more popular domestically as well.
◼️Nutritional and health benefits of beets
So what exactly are the health benefits of beets?
・Potassium : It balances sodium and stabilizes blood pressure. It also helps eliminate excess fluid from the body and reduces swelling.
・Sodium : Maintains fluid balance in the body and aids in nerve transmission and muscle contraction. An appropriate amount of sodium is important for preventing heatstroke and maintaining performance during exercise.
・Folic acid : A nutrient that helps with cell production and DNA synthesis. It is also involved in the formation of red blood cells, so it is useful for preventing anemia.
・Dietary fiber : The insoluble dietary fiber contained in beets stimulates intestinal movement and improves intestinal environment. Continuous consumption of beets can help improve constipation and maintain a balance in the intestinal flora.
・Vitamin C : Not only does it support the immune system, it also helps maintain healthy skin by aiding in collagen production. It also has antioxidant properties and is expected to reduce oxidative stress in the body.
・Betacyanin (reddish purple pigment component): It has a strong antioxidant effect and prevents cell aging. It is a type of polyphenol and is said to have an anti-inflammatory effect.
・Nitrates : The nitrates in beets are converted into nitric oxide (NO) in the body, which dilates blood vessels and promotes blood flow. This action allows oxygen and nutrients to be distributed throughout the body more efficiently, and also helps control blood pressure.
The blood flow improvement effect of nitrates is especially important for athletes . By smoothly delivering oxygen and nutrients to muscles, endurance improves and recovery after exercise becomes smoother. In addition, by replenishing potassium, which is easily lost through sweat, it is expected to reduce muscle cramps and fatigue. These characteristics have made beets a popular food among athletes.
BETTE Recommends! Delicious ways to eat beets
Here are some of BETTE's recommended recipes using beets.
Stewed dishes
This stew is packed with the sweetness and richness of beets. Stewing it with lots of vegetables gives it a rich flavor. You can also consume the nutrients dissolved in the vegetables along with the soup, so it's very efficient!
Borsch (serves 2-3)
・2 packs of boiled beets
・250g beef
・1 potato
・1/2 carrot
・1/6 cabbage
・1/2 onion
・1 clove of garlic
・1/2 can of tomatoes
・1 tablespoon olive oil
・15g salted butter
・450cc water
・100g red wine (or water if not available)
・1 bay leaf
・2 teaspoons of consommé
・2 teaspoons of salt
・A little black pepper
How to make it
1. Peel the potatoes and cut them into bite-sized pieces. Cut the carrots into bite-sized pieces. Cut the onions into 6 wedges. Cut out the core of the cabbage and cut it into large bite-sized pieces. Crush the garlic with the flat side of a knife.
2. Heat the butter and olive oil in a pan over medium heat and fry the garlic and beef until they change colour.
3. Add the potatoes, boiled beets, carrots, cabbage, and onions, and fry until the oil is evenly distributed. Add the water, red wine, canned whole tomatoes, salt, black pepper, and consommé, and when it boils, add the bay leaves, cover, and simmer over low heat for about 20 minutes. Check that the vegetables are cooked through, and add salt and pepper to taste.
*If tomatoes or other liquids release a lot of water and the mixture remains watery, reduce the water until it reaches your desired consistency.
Smoothies
Morning Beats
The simplest!
This is a classic smoothie that you can't go wrong with, and I think it's a flavor that can be enjoyed any time of the day, including in the morning.
・1/2 pack of boiled beets
・1/2 banana
・200ml soy milk
・1 tablespoon honey
How to make it
1. Put all the ingredients in a blender and mix! Simple.
side dish
Beet tartare [2 servings]
This is a healthy tartar sauce that does not use mayonnaise. By adding beets, you can add nutrition and color. Depending on the type of shio koji, the saltiness may be too strong, so please adjust the amount of sugar and vinegar.
・1/2 pack of boiled beets
・2 boiled eggs
・1 and 1/2 tablespoons of Shio Koji
・2 teaspoons rice vinegar
・2 teaspoons olive oil
・A little black pepper
・A little sugar (to taste)
How to make it
1. Put eggs and water in a pot, boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes.
2. Transfer the boiled eggs to a bowl and mix with the seasonings while mashing them with a fork. Once thoroughly mixed, add the beets.
3. Once everything is mixed, taste it and add a little sugar if you like.
BETTE also introduces many recommended recipes on Cookpad, so be sure to check them out!
https://cookpad.com/jp/users/110570169
Connecting farming with daily life
Our thoughts on Beats
As I mentioned at the beginning, when we talk about the appeal of beets, what we at BETTE value is the perspective of "connecting the fields with daily life." We want people to feel the value of facing ingredients and making them with their hands. And we believe that this leads to everyday joy and enriching mealtimes.
Our beets are grown without the use of pesticides, making the most of the power of the soil and nature. They have a powerful flavor. And our commitment to quality is based on the environment in which we can meet and talk with the producers in pursuit of better manufacturing.
The environment surrounding agriculture is undergoing major changes due to climate change, animal damage, an aging population, etc. Although we cannot solve all the issues at once, we believe that the new connections that are born from growing and eating beets will become small seeds of hope for the region and its people.
Whether you're health-conscious or enjoy cooking, we encourage you to experience the world of beets. Each dish you eat will not only bring nourishment to your body, but it may also be a step towards connecting your life with the fields.