Daikon (from Japanese 大根, literally "large root"), Raphanus sativus var. longipinnatus, also called White Radish (from Simplified Chinese 白萝卜, literally "white carrot"), Japanese radish, Oriental radish, Chinese radish, lo bok and Mooli (from Hindi/Urdu Muulii),[2][3][4] is a mild flavoured, very large, white East Asian radish.
Despite being known most commonly by its Japanese name in the US, it
did not originate in Japan, but was originally cultivated in continental
Asia and was introduced to Japan via China during the Han Dynasty.
In the UK and continental Asia it is most commonly known as mooli.
The flavour is generally rather mild compared to smaller radishes.
The Festival of Seven Herbs, or Nanakusa no sekku (七草の節句), is the long-standing Japanese custom of eating seven-herb rice porridge (nanakusa-gayu) on January 7 (Jinjitsu).
There is considerable variation in the precise ingredients, with common local herbs often being substituted.
On the morning of January 7, or the night before, people place the nanakusa, rice scoop, and/or wooden pestle on the cutting board
and, facing the good-luck direction, chant "Before the birds of the
continent (China) fly to Japan, let's get nanakusa" while cutting the
herbs into pieces. The chant may vary.
The seventh of the first month has been an important Japanese festival since ancient times. The custom of eating nanakusa-gayu
on this day, to bring longevity and health, developed in Japan from a
similar ancient Chinese custom, intended to ward off evil. Since there
is little green at that time of the year, the young green herbs bring
color to the table and eating them suits the spirit of the New Year.
The nanakusa are seven edible wild herbs of spring.
See the list of nanakusa
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