# Someii (Colored Rice) ｜ Our Regional Cuisines

**Cuisine Name**: Someii (Colored Rice)

**Region**: Our Regional Cuisines

## Main Lore Areas
Fujieda City

## Main Ingredients Used
Rice, glutinous rice, gardenia (kuchinashi) fruit, roasted green tea (sencha)

## History, Origin, and Related Events
Someii, also known as "Seto's Someii," has been sold at teahouses in the former Sechimachi Village (now part of Fujieda City) along the old Tokaido highway since the Warring States period. It has been known as a specialty of the Tokaido region. The process involves steaming glutinous rice, dyeing it with gardenia fruit, and then crushing and spreading it thinly into the shape of an oval coin, which is then dried and served as portable food or ration.The dried gardenia fruit was believed to have medicinal properties such as anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, analgesic, and diuretic effects, making Someii popular as a food that helped relieve fatigue in the legs and lower back.Someii is an ancient dish that even appeared in the novel "Tōkaidōchū Hizakurige" written by Jippensha Ikku, a famous classical writer. However, over time, it became a dish enjoyed only by a limited number of households. About 60 years ago, it was on the verge of being forgotten, but then a bento (boxed lunch) vendor in Fujieda City collaborated with the Chamber of Commerce to revive it. They transformed the dried rice into a modern onigiri (rice ball) that could be quickly consumed.

## Opportunities and Times of Eating Habits
Although Someii is available throughout the year, it is primarily made during festivals and celebrations in the Seto region.

## How to Eat
To prepare, peel the skin of the gardenia fruit, crush the inner part, and soak it in water for about half a day. Yellow water will be produced from this process. Rinse the glutinous rice about 30 minutes to 1 hour before cooking. Place the glutinous rice into a rice cooker and add the gardenia fruit along with the yellow water after diluting it with fresh water. Mix well and then cook. After the rice is cooked, let it steam for 10 to 15 minutes.

## Efforts for Preservation and Succession
(Outline of the traditions, the preservation society, social media use, modern approaches at commercialization)During local festivals and events, Someii is sold at Japanese confectionery shops. Additionally, some local restaurants offer modern-style menu items featuring Someii.

## Ingredients
- rice: 1 cup
- glutinous rice: 1 cup
- gardenia fruits: 1 to 2
- water: 1 cup
- salt: 2／3 teaspoon
- sake: 1 tablespoon
- water: 1 cup
- roasted green tea (sencha): 1 teaspoon
- Black sesame seeds: to taste

## Recipe
1. 1. Wash the rice and glutinous rice, then soak them in water.
2. 2. Crush the gardenia fruit into fine pieces with a spoon. Soak it in water to create a fruit extract.
3. 3. Place the rice and glutinous rice into a rice cooker. Then, add the gardenia fruit extract, salt, sake, roasted green tea to the rice cook and cook.
4. 4. Once the rice is cooked, serve it in a bowl and sprinkle with black sesame seeds to taste.

## Provider Information
provider : Recipe provided by: "Shizuoka's Side Dishes." Kaikōsha.

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