Developed Through 20 Years of Breeding
Aomori Shamorock was developed by crossing the Barred Shamo, a chicken native to Aomori, with the Barred Plymouth Rock. The breeding program was designed to combine the desirable characteristics of both breeds into a high-quality local chicken suitable for a wide range of dishes.
The result is chicken meat with a fine-grained texture, supple firmness, and satisfying bite. It also has little of the strong odor sometimes associated with chicken, making it pleasant to use in many different styles of cooking.
Juicy Meat That Does Not Easily Dry Out
One of the most appealing qualities of Aomori Shamorock is its texture after cooking. The meat remains tender and moist without becoming excessively dry, even when heated for a relatively long time.
Because the chicken itself has such a good flavor, simple grilling is an excellent way to enjoy it. Cooking the meat over heat allows its natural aroma and savory taste to stand out, making it easy to appreciate the quality of the ingredients themselves.
Rich in Natural Umami
Aomori Shamorock is particularly valued for its abundance of glutamic acid and inosinic acid, two compounds associated with savory umami flavors. These components give the meat a rich and satisfying taste and allow it to produce a flavorful broth when cooked.
For this reason, Aomori Shamorock is especially well suited to nabe, the Japanese style of hot pot in which chicken and other ingredients are simmered together in a flavorful broth.
Another advantage is that its savory flavor is retained even during long cooking times. The meat can therefore be simmered slowly while still contributing a deep, satisfying flavor to the broth.
A Versatile Ingredient for Japanese and International Cuisine
The combination of excellent meat quality and abundant umami makes Aomori Shamorock an exceptionally versatile ingredient. It works well with traditional Japanese cuisine, but its rich flavor and pleasant texture also make it suitable for Western and Chinese dishes.
Whether grilled simply to highlight the flavor of the meat or slowly simmered to create a rich broth, Aomori Shamorock offers cooks many ways to enjoy its distinctive qualities.
A Taste of Aomori’s Local Chicken
Aomori Shamorock is the result of decades of breeding expertise and careful production. Its fine texture, firm yet supple bite, moistness, and concentrated umami distinguish it from ordinary broiler chicken.
For visitors exploring Aomori’s regional cuisine, tasting Aomori Shamorock is a delicious way to discover the flavor of a Japanese local chicken developed specifically to bring out the best of the region’s poultry tradition.