Renewable, ecological and non-polluting, binchotan has unique energetic and organoleptic properties that make it an essential element for charcoal grill cooking
What is binchotan?
Used by man since the very origin of fire, charcoal has been utilised throughout history by advanced civilisations such as the Egyptians, Phoenicians, the Greeks and the Romans. Its black colour has many beneficial properties for the organism, which have been echoed by Asian cultures, including the Japanese, the Koreans and the Chinese. Today it has become a buzzword in the world of health and well-being… and, of course, in the world of gastronomy, where modern cuisine has given a boost to this ancestral way of cooking.
Josper’s commitment to sustainability
At Josper we have been using this fuel since the very beginning to ensure that the ember equipment works at full performance. And we do so under the commitment to conserve the environment as it is obtained through sustainable management. High quality charcoal, obtained from nearby natural resources, from forest clearing, sprout selection, sanitary pruning and improvement, promoting the upkeep of forests. Our commitment to sustainability is recognised by certifications such as FSC, PEFC and REACH, which guarantee compliance with best practice standards in the sector and ensure the maintenance of ecosystems and biodiversity.
The power of renewable charcoal
Charcoal is obtained from the incomplete burning of wood and other plant remains and is a renewable, environmentally friendly and non-polluting fuel. The transformation from wood to charcoal is achieved by pyrolysis, a process where wood is introduced into a highly technical furnace that does not exceed 700 ºC to obtain the best charcoal while maintaining its calorific value; higher than that of firewood. Charcoal reaches between 29,000 kJ/kg and 35,000 kJ/kg while wood ranges between 12,000-21,000 kJ/kg. A further step in sustainability, as this high calorific value and long life translates into a greater performance and duration of the embers, which significantly reduces cooking times, resulting in considerable energy and economic savings.
Binchotan, Josper’s charcoal that saves forests
Japanese Binchotan charcoal, also called white eucalyptus charcoal, is made by burning eucalyptus wood at relatively low temperatures for a controlled period of time. It is almost at the end of this process that the temperature of the kiln is raised until the wood is red-hot. The charcoal is then removed and covered with dust; a mixture of earth, sand and ashes, giving the surface of the charcoal a whitish hue, hence its name “white charcoal”, with a curious property: if we strike it, it will surprise us with a clear metallic sound.
The rapid rise in temperature, followed by rapid cooling, incinerates the bark and provides smoothness to its surface, as well as a large amount of carbon, giving it a high calorific value with almost no residue or odour. This charcoal has been a very environmentally friendly alternative for centuries, as has Binchotan charcoal from Lichi, made from the wood of this Asian tree. And to close the circle, Josper is committed to sustainable packaging with innovative packaging that acts as a dispenser and facilitates convenient handling and storage.
Binchotan and its organoleptic properties
As if this were not enough, the aromas and flavours that the charcoal embers bring to the food on the grill or barbecue are unmistakable. The organoleptic properties of binchotan charcoal are highly appreciated, which is why Josper offers two varieties: eucalyptus and lychee binchotan, with their own characteristics so that each person can adapt them to the type of food they are going to cook.
Many of the world’s most outstanding restaurants have made charcoal-grilled cuisine their stronghold, and charcoal such as binchotan their main ally. This makes it ideal for robatayaki cooking, where fish and vegetables are cooked over the coals in the form of skewers. Or in mangal cooking, Middle Eastern style, or even in traditional Basque grill ovens or grills. Multiple styles to prepare the best recipes in which Josper combines the technology and innovation of its best ovens with the most ancestral and environmentally friendly fire tradition.
