Alche Puree is a popular tomato-based product made with locally grown tomatoes from the Kushibiki area of Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture. It was jointly developed by Chef Masayuki Okuda of the Italian restaurant Al Ché-cciano in Kushibiki and Sancho Agri, a local direct-sales facility in Tsuruoka.
The product is designed to make the most of the natural flavor of Kushibiki tomatoes, creating a rich tomato sauce with a simple and refined taste.
Alche Puree uses Reiyo Momotaro, a variety of tomatoes grown in Kushibiki for fresh consumption. Apart from the tomatoes, the only ingredients are olive oil and salt.
By keeping the seasoning to a minimum, the product allows the tomatoes’ natural sweetness and umami to take center stage. The result is a rich yet straightforward tomato flavor that reflects the quality of the local produce.
The Kushibiki area is known as a fertile tomato-growing region surrounded by abundant nature. The area’s large difference in temperature between day and night is considered well suited to growing sweet and flavorful tomatoes.
Using tomatoes harvested in this environment gives Alche Puree its rich taste and naturally sweet flavor, concentrating the character of Kushibiki’s locally grown produce into a convenient tomato sauce.
The concentrated flavor of Kushibiki tomatoes has earned Alche Puree a strong reputation, and some customers even travel from distant areas specifically to purchase it.
It is also easy to incorporate into everyday home cooking, making it a convenient way to enjoy the rich flavor of locally grown Yamagata tomatoes.
Alche Puree is particularly well suited to stews and other simmered dishes. Adding it to a dish brings a rich tomato aroma, natural sweetness, and savory depth to the finished meal.
Because its flavor is simple and concentrated, it can be used in a variety of recipes without overpowering the other ingredients.
Alche Puree was created through the collaboration of locally grown tomatoes, culinary expertise, and a regional direct-sales facility. By preserving the natural character of the tomatoes rather than relying on heavy seasoning, it offers a taste of Kushibiki’s agricultural bounty.
For visitors to Tsuruoka, Alche Puree is a distinctive local food product that allows you to enjoy the deliciousness of Kushibiki-grown tomatoes in a convenient form.