Kikkoman, Food processing company in Noda, Japan
Kikkoman Corporation is a food processing company in Noda, Japan, that produces soy sauce, seasonings, and related products. The firm operates factories in several countries and supplies its goods to supermarkets and restaurants worldwide.
Two families established the business in 1603 in the Noda region and began producing soy sauce using local recipes. The firm adopted its current corporate form in 1917 and later opened production sites in the United States and Europe.
The name combines the characters for turtle and chrysanthemum, symbols of long life and prosperity in Japanese tradition. Visitors can observe the traditional brewing process at selected facilities, where microorganisms develop flavor and color over many months.
A museum and visitor center at the headquarters in Noda offer insights into the production process and company history. Advance booking is usually required, and tours are typically conducted in Japanese.
The company began developing tomato-based products in 1962 and later introduced specialized lines such as ketchup with increased lycopene content. This range uses particularly ripe tomatoes to raise the level of natural plant compounds.
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