The Inherent Flavors of MUJI

The flagship Yurakucho story of MUJI, Japan’s anti-brand brand, has undergone a transformation, and has a new food section.

Specifically, we will be offering basic foods such as vegetables and fruits, and other groceries. Vegetables are coming directly from the producers, who either do not use chemical pesticides and fertilizers at all, or use them sparingly. While we will not be offering a large variety, we will be offering seasonal items, and are planning to offer rare and interesting vegetables such as traditional vegetables of Tokyo. We will be offering vegetables with their inherent flavors, even if they do not meet the standards of shape and size. We plan on displaying a sign on each product, with a note from the producers and some seasonally-appropriate ways to eat them. In addition, about 300 pieces of stringently-selected grocery items will be offered, including seasonal fruits, seasonings that go well with vegetables, and snacks featuring vegetables.

Translated into 1970s folk music, this reads “Hey farmer farmer, put away that DDT now, give me spots on my apples, but leave me the birds and the bees, please!” To which I say: good on MUJI.

Here’s what it will look like, from MUJI’s website:

There is almost no chance that we’ll ever have a MUJI here in Charlottetown, but one can hope. I would happily shop there and only there for all my worldly goods.