Good Roasted Sweet Potato Day
Food DaysWhat Is Good Roasted Sweet Potato Day?
November 13th is "Good Roasted Sweet Potato Day" in Japan. It was established by Imoko no Yakiimo Asamiya, a company based in Toda City, Saitama Prefecture, that runs mobile roasted sweet potato stands and more. The date falls exactly one month after October 13th, which is known as "Sweet Potato Day."
Aging Is the Key to Flavor
Sweet potatoes are said to become sweeter when they are stored for a while after harvest and allowed to age. This day was created to let people know that well-aged sweet potatoes make delicious roasted sweet potatoes, and to encourage people to enjoy them as a snack.
- Established by: Imoko no Yakiimo Asamiya (Toda City, Saitama)
- Origin of the date: one month after October 13th, known as "Sweet Potato Day"
- Purpose: to spread the word that aged, sweeter sweet potatoes make great roasted sweet potatoes
- About the founder: the company has run mobile roasted sweet potato sales since 2005 and also helps people open their own shops
Why Is the 13th Sweet Potato Day?
In the Edo period, sweet potatoes were popular thanks to a pun: "tastier than chestnuts (kuri, which sounds like 'nine ri') and more (yori, which sounds like 'four ri') — thirteen ri." Because nine plus four is thirteen, sweet potatoes came to be called "jusanri" (thirteen ri), which led to October 13th becoming Sweet Potato Day. Good Roasted Sweet Potato Day comes one month later, a perfect time to enjoy sweet potatoes that have had time to age after harvest.
Tips for Marking This Day
- Pick up a roasted sweet potato as a snack and take a relaxing break
- Slowly roast sweet potatoes in your home oven or toaster oven
- Compare varieties with different textures, from fluffy to moist and sticky
- Share the "thirteen ri" wordplay as a conversation starter
A Warm Roasted Sweet Potato as the Weather Turns Cold
Roasted sweet potatoes are one of the easiest ways to enjoy the flavors of autumn and winter. November 13th is a day to savor well-aged, extra-sweet sweet potatoes, fresh and warm from the oven.