Unique Gifts from Japan! Handmade Vegetable Jam Made with Vegetables from Kyoto

Hi there, I’m Hakoboya, the Souvenir Promotion Captain for Kodawari Times! ╭(·ᴗ·)╮╰(·ᴗ·)╯
Kyoto, Japan’s ancient capital, is famous as a region where a wide variety of crops are grown, including traditional Kyoto vegetables and premium brands. Today, I’d like to introduce a very unique product made with vegetables from Kyoto. Be sure to check out the additive-free and healthy “Kyoto Vegetable Jam”!

 

Kyoto, Where a Vegetable Culture Has Taken Root

*Image for illustrative purposes only

Kyoto is known for its traditional vegetables, such as Kujo leeks, Kyoto mizuna, and Kamo eggplant. As the capital of Japan for 1,200 years, Kyoto developed a vegetable-centered food culture through offerings to the imperial court and the vegetarian cuisine served at temples and shrines. Even today, a wide variety of vegetables are grown here, including traditional Kyoto vegetables and high-quality branded varieties. Kyoto-grown vegetables are an indispensable part of the city’s rich culinary culture.

 

Enjoying “Ugly vegetables”

Sonobe Town in Nantan City, Kyoto Prefecture—easily accessible from Kyoto and Osaka—is a major producer of seasonal vegetables, including Kyoto vegetables and premium brands.
While fresh vegetables are delivered to dining tables and restaurants throughout the Kansai region, did you know that large quantities of “Ugly vegetables”—those with imperfect colors or shapes—are being discarded?

Although Ugly vegetables are sometimes sold at discounted prices, in most cases they are discarded due to concerns about damaging brand image or labor costs.

V&V Co., Ltd. was founded to reduce this “invisible food waste.” The company sources Ugly vegetables without sorting them and uses them to create “Rakuyu -洛結-,” a brand of carefully handmade processed foods.

“Rakuyu” creates delicious products that anyone—from children to adults—can enjoy with peace of mind, based on three core principles:
(1) All vegetables are grown in Kyoto.
(2) No preservatives, artificial flavors, or artificial colors.
(3) Everything is handmade.

The ingredient lists are very simple, making these products an easy choice for those concerned about additives.

 

Sweet potato, soybean, and tomato—three kinds of jam

Today, we’d like to introduce “Kyoto Vegetable Jam,” one of Rakuyu’s signature products.
It’s a healthy, additive-free jam made with vegetables grown in Kyoto.
The milk used in the jam is 100% “Kyoto Miyama Milk,” fresh milk from Miyama Town in Kyoto—a region known for its thatched-roof villages. The rich, flavorful milk brings out the natural taste of the vegetables.
Now, let’s take a look at the three flavors of “Kyoto Vegetable Jam.”

Sweet potato

This jam features two distinct layers: rich sweet potato and creamy milk. You can enjoy the different flavors by eating each layer separately or mixing them together.
With its natural sweetness from the sweet potato, it’s perfect not only as a spread but also as a treat on its own.

Soybeans

This jam combines soybeans and milk for a taste that’s both nostalgic and refreshingly new. The lightly fried soybean pieces add a delightful crunch, giving it a nutty, peanut butter-like aroma. It’s a flavor that’s especially popular with women.

Tomato

A luxurious jam that yields just six jars from 2 kg of tomatoes. Packed with the sweetness and umami of tomatoes, its berry-like sweet-and-sour flavor is truly addictive. Its versatility is another major appeal—it pairs perfectly with everything from bread and crackers to yogurt, salads, and meat and fish dishes.

 

Recommended Ways to Enjoy

We received some samples of Kyoto Vegetable Jam, so the staff at Kodawari Times gave them a try. If this is your first time trying it, use this as a guide on how to enjoy it.

We recommend trying “Kyoto Vegetable Jam” with toast, pancakes, yogurt, and other classic jam pairings. Since it’s made from vegetables rather than fruit, all varieties are characterized by their subtle sweetness. Pair it with toast or yogurt for a simple and healthy breakfast.

Simply top some crackers with cheese and jam, and you’ve got yourself a perfect appetizer or canapé.
The addition of cheese gives it a whole new flavor, and it pairs perfectly with drinks.

Just mix vegetable jam with olive oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper, and you’ve got an easy dressing. A vegetable salad dressed with vegetable jam is so healthy!

And for a typically Japanese twist, why not try it as a topping for mochi? It makes for the perfect sweet treat when you’re feeling a little peckish.

 

Recommended as a unique gift from Japan

“Kyoto Vegetable Jam” is carefully handmade using vegetables that would otherwise be discarded as substandard. This healthy product, made with a generous amount of flavorful vegetables from Kyoto, makes the perfect souvenir from Japan.
This set, featuring three varieties—tomato, soybean, and sweet potato—packaged in a handcrafted wooden box, is sure to be a hit as a gift for someone special.

The mini jar set, containing four 40g jars, comes in three different designs: Kyoto-style, Farm, and Chojugiga. It’s perfect for trying out for yourself, of course, but why not give it as a unique souvenir to family and friends—something you won’t find anywhere else?

“Kyoto Vegetable Jam,” safe for everyone from children to adults, is available at Kyoto Takashimaya and roadside stations throughout Kyoto. Be sure to take home a jar of this innovative Kyoto jam.

Product Details

Kyoto Vegetable Jam: Sweet Potato
Ingredients: Milk (produced in Kyoto Prefecture), white soft sugar, sweet potato (grown in Kyoto Prefecture), agar

Kyoto Vegetable Jam: Soybean
Ingredients: Milk (produced in Kyoto Prefecture), beet sugar, cream, soybeans (grown in Kyoto Prefecture), starch syrup

Kyoto Vegetable Jam: Tomato
Ingredients: Tomatoes (grown in Kyoto Prefecture), granulated sugar, lemon juice

■General Information
Net Weight: 140g each; available as a 3-piece gift set in a wooden box (140g × 3 varieties) or a 3-piece mini jar set (40g × 3 varieties)
Distributor: V&V Co., Ltd.
Manufacturer: Caplant.Co., Ltd.
Rakuyu Brand Website: https://vvkyoto.com/rakuyu/