September 1st is Disaster Prevention Day. I maintain a rolling stock of food for disaster preparation, and I found bread at a store which the expiration date is over a month. It’s sold by Komo Co., Ltd., headquartered in Komaki City, Aichi Prefecture. Unusually for bread, it’s also sold in vending machines and can be purchased at stations and airports. I see Danish pastries most often, but croissants and pies are also available.
The reason for its long-term storage is reportedly the use of Panettone yeast, combined with minimizing moisture content to the absolute limit, which suppresses bacterial growth. I had assumed some additive was extending the shelf life, so learning it’s due to the yeast type makes me feel safe letting my kids eat it. When I actually gave it to my children, they said it tasted just as good as other bread with shorter shelf lives and ate several pieces.
Given its unique feature of an extended shelf life—something ordinary bread can’t achieve—I wondered if it held patents. Upon checking, I found it was indeed patented under Japanese Patent Numbers 1721291 and 2971634, though the patents have since expired.
Komo Co., Ltd. seems to be the pioneer and industry leader in long-life bread. As a local company, I want to keep buying their products to support them. Their goods are even being served at the ongoing Osaka-Kansai Expo! (Chamomile)
https://www.comoshop.jp/tokutyo/ （Japanese only）
https://www.atpress.ne.jp/news/437689 (Japanese only)