Marutomo Katsuo Bonito Flake Hana, 16-Ounce Units

There are always questions about this product and shelf life or expiration date. What I have determined is that any meat product is supposed to have a date on it to be sold in the US whether it's relevant to the product or not [one size fits all regulation]. I came across an older portion of a bag in the back of my pantry that had fallen behind some serving trays. Though several years past the expiration date, it was just as good and served fine in my recipes.StorageStorage is key to maintaining food quality in any product, and this is no exception. Above all, keep them dry and away from humidity and condensation. As such, I do not store in the fridge, as cold anything will draw moisture where I live in the SE USA. Keep them sealed to keep oxygen out, and keep them in the dark. These are the conditions that are necessary for food degradation and bacteria.Usage - recipesI only use these for human consumption since I don't have any animals that would appreciate them. These along with kelp [seaweed], and certain mushroom powders are the perfect way to increase the umami flavor in so many foods. You can use enough of them that the fish flavor comes through, but for other soups that wouldn't benefit from that fishiness, you can cut the amount and just have it increase the savory nature of the soup. For instance, I have several chicken and squash soup recipes where I add about 1 pinch per quart of soup and nobody detects any fishiness. They do however, substantially increase the flavor. I double that amount for soups like clam chowder.Use these in salmon burgers and crab cakes for an outstanding and memorable dish. Just mix in a pinch or two per can before you cook it and you'll amaze yourself.People are pretty surprised when I tell them I've used them in my grilled burgers and even include them in my smoked pork barbeque. They can't taste the fish, but it serves to enhance all the other flavors. Start with a pinch per pound and make adjustments as you desire.One word of warning is to not add salt to your dish until after you've incorporated these flakes. There may be a bit of saltiness to them, though I'm not sure. But it does take the place of some of the salt, enhancing the flavor on its own. I've had a couple of instances when I've then added my normal salt levels and it seems a bit briny. I think it's just that the salt isn't needed as much for the flavor so the salt becomes kind of redundant and therefore too salty.

This is most definitely a bargain, especially compared to any bonito flakes with "cat" or "pet" in the title. At $1.54/oz it was about 5x less expensive than my own previous Amazon tuna flake purchase. It arrived on time, solid packaging, and the cats love it (since it's the exact same product as others). I have since aliquoted it into gallon baggies and am storing in the freezer until needed, leaving a little at room temp for quick treat access. The only reason for 4-stars is that with more volume, there is more mush... about 2-3oz worth of wasted flakes. Still, the overall price per volume makes it the best deal I've seen yet! I'll use the mush for cooking as a rice topping, or for miso soups.

I keep buying this brand, and if I run out my cat will complain. Today he is hanging around the empty jar and putting his paw on it. "Hint, Hint" he says.I had one bag that I didn't refrigerate, and it seemed a bit moist inside. I should have been more careful as the last of it was "off". He wouldn't touch it.Now, I take it out of the bag, make sure it's really DRY, then put loosely in sealed jars that I store in the refrigerator. I've had no problems doing it this way. My cat gets a bit each day, and a one pound bag lasts about 6 months.This is a well loved cat. He has SIX different cat foods that he chooses from. (They are in jars and he puts his paw on the one he wants.) He has SIX different dry treats that I rotate, and he has the Bonita. Of all, he enjoys the Bonita the most.I noticed one review said there were a lot of tiny crumbs at the bottom of the bag. I have gotten some, thought not a lot.. What I've done is save them (also in the refrigerator) and them mixed them with a tiny bit of egg white, dried that, and used it along with his hard treats. He won't eat the Bonita crumbs, but he loves the treats I made with them.

I've used this product for several years. Love it. When I was a child in Tokyo, Mother taught us children how to make bonito shavings for many dishes. I no longer have access to the shaving plane we used to use, and so pre-shaved product is quite convenient. Grab a pinch of shavings and add it to the meal prep.I make traditional dashi, also add a pinch directly from the bag to other soups including instant ramen, egg drop, hot and sour soup; makes great economical bonito furikake.. It dissolves almost instantly, adds umami to Western style stews. I haven't made kim chi in a while, however it could be a great addition to the brine in place of the traditional seafoods sometimes used.One bag lasts my household a few months. I don't store it in the fridge, but do use a large ziplock store to cover the original bag, kept in a dark cabinet. I used to get this via subscribe and save but seems no longer available that way.

Ordered numerous times with at least 4-6 months of storage before Best Buy Date. This time, received 10 days before the Best Buy Date Expiration of June 2022. Passing off aged product at full price. Return it? Nope. This product is ineligible for returns.