Drip Straining (No Squeeze)

Let the stock drip through paper or cloth. Never press the solids.

Difficulty: 1
Heat: none

Key Points

Use a paper towel or cloth. Pour slowly. Do not press or stir the flakes.

Common Failures

Pressing with a spoon makes the dashi bitter. Pouring too fast overflows the paper.

Do this

Line a strainer with a paper towel or thin cloth. Set it over a bowl. Pour slowly. Wait until the drips stop.

Why it works

Pressing breaks the soft flakes. Bitter juice and fine bits slip through. Gravity lets only the clear stock pass.

When to skip it

Skip the paper for niban dashi and stews. There, a little cloudiness does not matter.