Tapioca Day
Food DaysWhat Is Tapioca Day?
November 9th is "Tapioca Day" in Japan. It was established by Azumino Shokuhin Kobo, a maker of yogurt, desserts and chilled drinks headquartered in Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture, and is registered with the Japan Anniversary Association. It commemorates November 2002, when the company became the first in Japan to produce and sell tapioca milk tea -- then popular in Taiwan -- in chilled cups.
The "9" Comes From the Letter Q
There's a little twist behind the "9." The product was also known as "Q-PON" at the time, so its "Q" was likened to "9" (pronounced "kyū" in Japanese) and combined with November, the month of release.
- Established by: Azumino Shokuhin Kobo (Matsumoto, Nagano)
- Origin: in November 2002, the first chilled-cup tapioca milk tea in Japan
- Why this date: November, the release month, plus the Q (9) of the product's nickname "Q-PON"
- Purpose: to promote the company's tapioca products
Tapioca Is Cassava Starch
Tapioca is starch made from the roots of cassava, a plant of the spurge family. Cassava is thought to originate in South America, in northeastern Brazil, and because its roots are rich in starch it is an important crop around the world. Tapioca is used in sweets and to thicken dishes, and even as a raw material for agents that strengthen paper. The name "tapioca" is said to come from "tipi'óka," the word for the starch-making process in the Tupi language of Brazil's indigenous people.
Tips for Marking This Day
- Enjoy a tapioca drink or dessert on your break
- Try different pairings, such as milk tea or coconut milk
- Read up on cassava, the plant tapioca comes from
- Ask your coworkers, "Do you know what tapioca is made from?"
A Surprising Story Behind the Chewy Pearls
Familiar tapioca comes with surprising stories -- a date born from a product name, and a name that traces back to a South American plant. On November 9th, enjoy the chewy texture and the story behind it.