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Success is in the bag for barley
entrepreneurs Japan provided the inspiration for a new beverage by MYRNA STARK LEADER
SALMON ARM—Barley immediately conjures up thoughts of beer production, but a new company based in Salmon Arm is betting on tea. In March, Janice Ishizaka of Japan and her sister Cilla Watkins of Salmon Arm launched the Canadian Barley Tea Co. with mo’mugi (pronounced “mo moo ghee”). “Mugi” means barley in Japanese and plays on the name of a traditional Japanese drink which literally translates as “more barley.” Ishizaka was inspired to
create and introduce the product to Canada after living
in Japan for the last 20 years. Originally moving from Ontario to teach English for a year, she liked the culture so much she stayed, married and had children. She noticed that most everyone in Japan loved the roasted, nutty flavour of barley tea, even children. Her kids asked her to bring sachets with them on visits to Canada. But when she checked the packages, she was surprised to learn the barley was imported from Canada and Australia.
“I had a flashback because I
went to Humber College after university and studied copywriting. A CEO of a big Canadian sports company
COUNTRY LIFE IN BC • SEPTEMBER 2019
Janice Ishizaka of Japan (left) and her sister Cilla Watkins from Salmon Arm promoted their new tea at the Feast of Fields event in Kelowna in mid-August. MYRNA STARK LEADER
came in to lecture about business, asking, “Why do Canadians always import things we could make ourselves?” He mentioned Ikea and wood furniture,” says Ishizaka. “I thought, why am I bringing in barley tea when Canada has barley?” Together with her sister,
Ishizaka went on the hunt for organic barley that could serve as the base for a new roasted barley product that can be served hot or cold. They found potential suppliers in Guelph and Salmon Arm. The latter was able to provide the small quantities required and was close to Cilla’s home. “Roasted barley is over a
billion-dollar industry in Japan,” explains Ishizaka. “Koreans drink it, too, and so do Chinese. It’s great for all ages as it doesn’t contain caffeine, sugar or calories. Also, Canada’s new food guide talks about choosing more healthy drinks and I know Canadian kids still drink lots of sweet drinks, so I thought the time was right to launch
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mo’mugi.” While mo’mugi isn’t classified as a health drink, Ishizaka says the Japanese have consumed it for more than 500 years. It’s a refreshing alternative to water and there is scientific evidence that it contains antioxidants and promotes blood fluidity, which is restricted by clogged arteries. “There’s also a scientific study that shows that it can help prevent tooth decay because of the enzymes in the roasted barley,” adds Ishizaka. As a self-financed start-up, the company plans to fine- tune production before scaling up. The pair is using commercial kitchen space in Salmon Arm to create the tea but hope eventually to move into premises of their own where they can store equipment and supplies. To date, they’re marketing
through 24 businesses, restaurants and food box programs in the North Okanagan, on Vancouver Island and Salt Spring, and
Ontario. The pair was lucky to win
Green Award in the Shuswap Launch-a-Preneur contest in March. The award recognized mo’mugi’s environmentally friendly attributes, including its compostable tea bags free from plastics, adhesives or harmful chemicals. In addition, they placed fourth overall, which netted them $2,400 in gift certificates for printing and other services from local businesses. Ishizaka says Salmon Arm’s decision to host a new Saturday farmers’ market is also helping introduce people to the beverage. It’s also been welcomed as a non-alcoholic alternative at local wine and food events. “Support from the local people and business people who’ve taken time to answer our questions and help us has been really great,” says Ishizaka. “We feel blessed and lucky that we are in BC where people care about consuming healthy food and buying local is very important.”
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