How Soy Sauce Is Made for Kids: Tamari, Japanese Fermentation & San-J International in Virginia | Culture Kids Podcast

Full Episode description

All aboard the Culture Train! This week we’re stopping in Richmond, Virginia to visit San-J International, where soy sauce has been brewed the traditional Japanese way for over 220 years!

Join Kristen and Asher and their guest Takashi Sato as they step inside one of America’s most remarkable Japanese food production facilities, discover the ancient art of fermentation, and learn why soy sauce and tamari have been treasured across Japanese culture for centuries.

What Kids Will Experience

• Learning the difference between soy sauce and tamari and why it matters
• Discovering how samurai warriors once used soy sauce in ancient Japan
• Stepping inside giant fermentation tanks as tall as buildings
• Watching how traditional Japanese brewing methods have been preserved for over 220 years
• Exploring how one small bottle of tamari connects Richmond, Virginia to centuries of Japanese food culture

What Kids Will Learn

• What fermentation is and how it transforms soybeans into soy sauce
• What tamari is and how it differs from regular soy sauce
• Why San-J International is one of the most unique Japanese food producers in the United States
• How samurai culture and Japanese food traditions are connected
• What makes traditionally brewed soy sauce different from mass-produced varieties
• How Japanese food traditions have traveled across the world and taken root in new places
• Why learning where our food comes from is a powerful form of cultural education

About San-J International

San-J International has been brewing authentic Japanese tamari and soy sauce in Richmond, Virginia for over 220 years, preserving traditional Japanese fermentation methods across generations. San-J is one of the most respected names in authentic Japanese condiments in the United States and a proud partner of the Culture Kids community.

️ About Culture Kids Podcast

Culture Kids is an award-winning 501(c)(3) nonprofit children’s podcast delivering free, immersive, screen-free cultural education for kids ages 4 to 8. Three Webby Awards. Apple Podcasts Essential. Five-star Common Sense Media. Gold Anthem Award. 90+ cultural organization partners worldwide.

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Credits

Executive Producer and Host: Kristen Kim
Co-Producer and Host: Asher Kim
Guest and Co-Host: Takashi Sato, San-J International
Audio Engineer and Post: Robin Lai
Academic Consultant: Elisha Li
Nonprofit Consultant: Ami Awad
Music and Sound: Envato Elements