Problem: To provide a bitterness-masking agent and method that masks the bitterness of an edible substance containing a pharmaceutical product, food, or drink, whether a fine powder or a whole fruit, safely, cheaply, simply, with anti-bacterial and anti-degenerative properties over the long term even at room temperature and in a hydrated state, without destroying or altering the composition thereof, using an ingredient in use from early times, in order to have the edible substance absorbed by the stomach and to provide an importation and exportation method for an edible material using same. Solution: To use an edible flocculating agent from an ingredient in use from early times to have an edible substance containing a pharmaceutical product, food or drink be absorbed by the stomach, whether said edible substance is a fine powder or a whole fruit, and to do same safely, cheaply, simply, with anti-bacterial and anti-degenerative properties over the long term even at room temperature and in a hydrated state, without destroying or altering the composition thereof, to provide a bitterness-masking agent and method that do not generate industrial waste, to provide an edible substance containing a pharmaceutical product or food using said method, and to provide an importation and exportation method using same. The present invention enables fresh overseas edible substances to be imported and exported safely, cheaply, readily, and free of disease, even in large volume.
