Thank you for following this series everyone!

Here is the third and final part which some of you have been waiting for.

7. Sea Grapes (Umibudo) - These strange looking delicacies are actually an edible seaweed with bubbles growing on the stems. The salty and fresh taste is surprisingly nice, and like many sea vegetables, the health benefits are plentiful! These include the important omega 3 fatty acids, which are known for many benefits including strengthening the eyes and heart!

8. Pineapple - Whilst pineapple is accessible to purchase in most parts of Japan, the pineapple in Okinawa is locally grown and is delicious! It is also very expensive though, and so is more of a delicacy than perhaps bananas or mikan. The Okinawans treasure pineapple so much there is even a pineapple theme park in Nago, City in the North of Okinawa called 'Pineapple Park'. Pineapple is highly nutritious, but my favourite benefit from eating this delicious fruit is that it contains a decent amount of 'bromelain' which is an excellent anti inflammatory! It is ideal after having competed in the 100 mile runs, or kickboxing I did in the UK before I left for Japan, and I made sure I treated myself to pineapple in the days following these events.

3. Orion Beer - No series on Okinawan local food and drink would be complete without mentioning Orion beer! They control of 60% of the beer market in Okinawa, and rarely will you go in to a restaurant, bar or even a shop which is not selling or displaying posters of it! Walking around 'Kokusai Dori' (the main tourist street) I have seen hundreds of people wearing Orion beer t-shirts, and drinking it in bars. What is one of the best things about this beer? Unlike the majority of the local foods and drinks I have wrote about in these columns, Orion beer is extremely cheap! At around 300-400 yen on average for a glass, it means that even those of us who are not happy to spend 2500 yen on a pineapple for example, are still able to enjoy some of the local products.

Thank you for following these columns everyone!

I have enjoyed writing them, but even more than writing them, I have enjoyed the privilege of being able to sample them during my time here in Okinawa. I really believe that this island is paradise, and having the ability to maintain my healthy diet and active lifestyle whilst here makes it even better.

Have a happy and healthy day everyone!

David

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I am a highly experienced professional English teacher, Yoga Instructor, Tai Chi teacher, Nutrition Consultant and Personal Trainer from London, UK. I recently left London to work and travel around Japan on a Working Holiday Visa with my best friend and longtime girlfriend Ashley (who is also a teacher on Cafetalk : https://cafetalk.com/tutors/profile/?id=54542&lang=en ). We love sharing adventures travelling, teaching, exploring and understanding new cultures. We hope to speak with you soon!

If you would like to follow my travels on instagram, and see where we are in the world you can do so here:

https://www.instagram.com/pb_fitness_zen_yoga/?hl=en 

Please check out my lessons if you are interested in learning real, authentic British English, or have an interest in Yoga, healthy eating or general health and fitness.

Feel free to send me a message if you have any questions, or if you would like to schedule a lesson at a time in which my schedule is not open. I will always do my best to accomodate every student.