Award-winning Japanese knives loved by hundreds of Aussies: Here's why you need a set in your kitchen
Rather than settling for average quality that will need replacing after a short while, invest in the best to make your time in the kitchen a breeze.
We've got our eye on the award-winning Japanese knife block from Furi, the winner of the Good Design Award and home to innovative designs.
Available in five ($499), six ($549) or seven-piece sets ($649), you can get your hands on a brand new stone block, along with a fresh set of knives.
Made from natural stone and cement and made to last, these blocks are great for securely storing your knives and keeping them in pristine condition.
Ideal for a home cook or a professional chef, choose between a chic cream colourway or a classic black, whichever best suits your kitchen and taste.
Made to last
Designed to keep knives organised and displayed on the kitchen counter, Furi blocks offer the perfect subtle storage for frequently used knives.
Containing universal slots to fit knives from other labels, and you can choose between five, six of seven piece sets to suit your chopping needs.
Perfect for cooking endless meals from veggie dishes to hearty meat casseroles this winter, each knife is made with secure handles and blades, from high-carbon Japanese stainless steel alloy.
Invest in the best
If you're ready to invest in a new set of knives PLUS a Furi Stone Block to store them in, get ready to shop up a storm.
Each set includes five of the most popular knives for the kitchen.
With plenty of five-star reviews, it's no surprise that Furi is a firm favourite among shoppers.
'Amazing quality. So beautiful to use as well as very well weighted for easy handling. This looks exactly as the photo online. Very stoked with this purchase. Completes the look of my kitchen nicely,' one shopper commented.
'An excellent set of food preparation knives. Well balanced, comfortable to hold & use. Also convenient & looks great on the kitchen bench,' a second shopper wrote.
'I've become quite keen on cooking over the last couple of years but I've always tended to baulk at the cost of genuinely good knives. However I took the plunge on these, which are a budget level above my usual, and they are VERY worth it. Lovely balance, great sharpness, and the magnetic storage block is really handy for keeping them neat in the kitchen,' another customer wrote.
'Excellent set of knives, very sharp, good grip! Well worth it,' said another.
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SBS Australia
6 hours ago
- SBS Australia
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From matcha lattes sipped in cars on the way to work, matcha baked goods, to vivid green ceremonial matcha whisked in a chawan in perfect morning light. Industry insiders, such as Tomo Kita, founder of importer OH!Matcha , point to the early 2000s as the turning point, when matcha shifted from an occasional ceremonial drink to a daily commodity. 'Before 2000, even in Japan we only drank matcha in a ceremonial way,' says Kita, 'Since [brands like] Haagen-Dazs and Starbucks created matcha-flavoured ice cream and drinks, it became very popular.' Travel has amplified the effect. Since Japan reopened post-pandemic, global visitors have surged, tasting high-quality matcha at the source and returning home with higher expectations. 'Australians have had a taste of what real authentic matcha tastes like from the origin and now return home with high expectations,' says Nguyen. Prices reflect the pressure. In May, tencha (the leaf used to make matcha) reached around ¥8,235/kg, a 170 per cent jump from the previous year . 'For the first time since we began ordering matcha, one of our suppliers experienced a shortage that lasted several months,' says Group General Manager Thibaut Chuzeville of Yugen Tea Bar in Melbourne. 'We've seen a fifteen to twenty per cent price increase across both ceremonial and culinary grades in the past six months.' What's behind matcha's appeal? Matcha tea – a finely ground powder made from shade-grown tea leaves – comes in two main grades: Ceremonial-grade matcha, which comes from the first harvest ( ichibancha ), is prized for its smooth texture, vivid colour and savoury-sweet umami. Culinary-grade, often from later harvests, is bolder and suited to lattes, baking and ice cream. 'Ceremonial grade matcha is the highest grade, but it's designed to be enjoyed with water in the purest form,' says Monica Nguyen of Japanese-inspired cafe Miyama Melbourne . Credit: Miyama Cafe Matcha's wellness halo – in Japan, once sipped by samurai before battle, by monks to elevate meditation – isn't without substance. Rich in antioxidants, it's been linked to heart health, improved focus and reduced inflammation. Because the whole leaf is consumed via the groun-up powder form, matcha delivers more concentrated benefits than steeped green tea. The amino acid L-theanine tempers caffeine's buzz, offering calm alertness prized by monks and office workers alike. As Elvan Fan Sydney cafe Moon and Back notes, 'For many customers, it's not just the taste – it's how they feel after drinking it.' A centuries-old tradition under pressure The global boom is reshaping matcha culture on its home turf. 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9 hours ago
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AU Financial Review
14 hours ago
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WA courting Asian investors to pick up abandoned BP hydrogen stake
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