2014-10-02

Kirin Singapore Packaging Changes

Kirin has made changes to its Ichiban Shibori Beer packaging in Singapore is will give six packs to a few selected followers who spot the four differences. If you live in Singapore, you might want to check out their Facebook feed. There are already lots of guesses in the comments. キリン

It looks the the changes are as follows:
1) Kirin Original Brew  to  Kirin Prime Brew
2) addition of alcohol content 5%
3) addition of the Japanese indication of alcoholic drink お酒
and
4) a font size and color change.

http://kirin-singapore.com.sg/en/

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2014-10-01

Sapporo Grande Polaire Koshu White Wine

Yes, there are Japanese wines. They vary widely in quality, but some are quite nice. Here is a nice image for one of Sapporo's domestic wines, a white wine from the Koshu region, Yamanashi Prefecture. サッポロ

http://www.sp-mall.jp/shop/g/gS4-E486x7200100/

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2014-09-30

Coca Cola Red Sparks

The 2019 Rugby World Cup to be held in Japan will serve as a warmup of sorts for the Olympics to be held here the following year. Coca Cola is a rugby sponsor in Japan and have an industrial league team called the Red Sparks headed by a former national team coach.

http://www.cocacola.co.jp/stories/redsparks01#TCCC

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2014-09-29

Kirin Virtual Beer Factory Tour App

Kirin is offering a virtual tour of its Shiga Beer Factory via an iPhone/iPad app, which features 360 degree photographic and video views from several locations within the factory. キリンビール

https://itunes.apple.com/jp/app/marugoto-gong-chang-jian-xue/id922379589

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2014-09-28

Sapporo Black Label Beer Tokuho Special

Sapporo is selling a special fall limited edition version of its Black Label Beer only in the Tohoku region. It uses 100% Tohoku region sourced hops. Nice label, and yes it does probably taste great with fried oysters. サッポロビール

http://www.sapporobeer.jp/area/tohoku/products/kurolabeltohokuhop/index.html

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2014-09-27

Yamazaki Lunch Pack Hamburger

This sandwich is a teriaki sauce and mayonaise hamburger sandwich. I have tried it and it is pretty good and very affordable at 175 yen (if I remember correctly). I am translating this as hamburger, but usually many people would argue that it should be the word for chopped beef (hamburg in Japanese). However, since this is on bread, it seems appropriate to use hamburger (hambaga in Japanese). ヤマザキ ランチパック ハンバーグ

http://www.yamazakipan.co.jp/

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2014-09-26

Yamazaki Lunch Pack Ham and Cheese

This sandwich is part of the Yamazaki Lunch Pack Royal Blend series with uses a special bread with a rich butter aroma. ヤマザキパン ランチパック

http://www.yamazakipan.co.jp/

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2014-09-25

Chemistry of Candy from Compound Interest

Another great chart from Compound Interest.

http://www.compoundchem.com/2014/10/21/chemistryofcandy/

Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.

2014-09-24

Suntory Whisky Retro Design

Suntory is offering retro bottles, where not only the bottles, but the whisky is the same as that originally offered in 1929. サントリー

http://www.suntory.co.jp/

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2014-09-23

KFC Jumbo Halloween Biscuit

This biscuit was made by KFC employees using enough ingredients for 50 biscuits. It looks like this was a one time event and humongous biscuits will not be available on the menu. ケンタッキーフライドチッキン

http://www.kfc.co.jp/

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2014-09-22

Morinaga Chupa Chups

The global brand, Chupa Chups, originally from Spain, has gone through Morinaga in Japan since 1977. If you look up the history of Chupa Chups on Wikipedia, there is a short, but interesting, entry. チュッパチュップス 森永

http://chupa-dempa.jp/

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2014-09-21

Subway Sausage Roll with Cheese

Subway has introduced a sausage roll with cheese on flat bread and are touting as being a prefect winter sandwich - hot, chewy and easy to eat with one hand.

http://www.subway.co.jp/

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2014-09-20

Lotteria Tower Tree Burger USB Memory Giveaway

Lotteria has periodically held specials where they offer 5 patty monster sandwiches called tower tree burgers. They are currently conducting a giveaway where people can receive 5 patty burger replica USB memory sticks. To qualify, you need to retweet the promotion tweet. Looks interesting, if not very convenient. ロッテリア

http://lotteria.jp/7th_anniversary/

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2014-09-19

Ito Ham Kakaricho Eats Fugu

Here is an interesting image - Ito Ham's character Kakaricho (assistant manager) eating fugu or puffer fish. This dish is a specialty of Yamaguchi Prefecture and therefore he is pictured on a visit to that prefecture and surrounded by other images from the area. I think they relate to the Senteisai Festival for the young Heike family emperor who died there 1185). 伊藤ハム 先帝祭

http://www.itoham.co.jp/

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2014-09-18

Starbucks Soy Honey Granola Frappaccino

This certainly look decadent. The Starbucks Soy Honey Granola Frappuccino is only available at the Roppongi Hills Starbucks in Tokyo.

http://www.starbucks.co.jp/

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2014-09-17

McDonald's Halloween Offerings

Interesting Halloween offerings from McDonald's Japan: the Squid Ink Burger and the Camembert Chicken Filet-o. The Squid Ink Burger will have dark buns colored with black sesame, two beef patties, cheddar cheese, chipotle sauce, black squid ink sauce, and fried onions. The Camembert Chicken Filet-o is a chicken filet sandwich with a camembert sauce.

Very interesting and looks like they have been influenced by Burger King Japan's recent offerings.

http://www.mcdonalds.co.jp/

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2014-09-16

Happy Halloween from Guinness

Happy Halloween from Guinness Japan.

http://www.guinness.com/ja-jp/

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2014-09-15

MOS Breakfast Hot Pastrami

One of the morning hot sandwich selections from MOS Burger is a pastrami sandwich which also comes in the easy to handle paper bags. モス

http://mos.jp/

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2014-09-14

MOS Breakfast Hot Sandwiches

MOS has introduced new breakfast hot sandwiches which are easy to eat, avoid a mess and can also be taken and eaten on the run. Each sandwich uses a special paper package which can easily be separated along the perforation to expose half the sandwich and while keeping your hands clean. モス

http://mos.jp/

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2014-09-13

Coca Cola Branded Ferris Wheel in Gunma Prefecture

Coca Cola Japan shared this photo of a Coke branded Ferris wheel in Gunma Prefecture. コカコーラ

http://www.cocacola.co.jp/

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2014-09-12

POM Salt and Summer Mikan Drink

There are many aspects of this product. First of all, POM is a citrus brand for local produce from a local beverage maker in Ehime Prefecture - a brand strong enough to make it all across Japan. Mikan mandarin tangerines are grown in this area which is located on the Seto Inland Sea. Therefore, naturally, this product uses local mikan, but also contains a local sea salt which is also well known, Hakata Salt from an island of the same name. So the salt is well known and of regional interest, which fits well with a beverage maker from the same region, but also fits in well with the popularity of salty products during the hot summer months. 伯方の塩 愛媛飲料 ミカン

http://www.ehime-inryo.co.jp/topics/shio_natsumikan2.php

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2014-09-11

Sangaria Delicious Milk Shake

With its "Delicious (or Oishii) Milk Shake", Sangria claims to have been the first company to sell milk shakes in PET bottles in 1998. This was by using a special aseptic filling method. No other details, but it tastes fairly good and has a fairly long shelf life despite containing milk and eggs. サンガリア おいしいミルクセーキ

http://www.sangaria.co.jp/products/milky/oishii-milk-shake/

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2014-09-10

Tully's Autumn Pancake Special

If you are looking for an indulgent addition to your coffee, Tully's autumn pancake special might be for you. This is a caramel, apple, cinnamon pancake topped with whip cream. タリーズコーヒー

http://www.tullys.co.jp/

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2014-09-09

Meiji Matcha Chocolate Covered Macadamia Nuts

Meiji is offering a Kyoto Matcha tea flavor version of its popular chocolate covered macadamia nuts. This matcha tea used for this product comes from a city long famous for green tea, Uji, Kyoto. Clearly, this product is not just about taste, but also connects with traditional Japanese culture. 明治 マカダミア チョコ 抹茶 宇治

http://www.meiji.co.jp/sweets/chocolate/almond/

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2014-09-08

Mos Burger Tobikiri Hamburgers

Mos Burger is now offering what it calls Tobikiri or Superb Burgers, for which it explains that "simple is best". As such, these burgers use large patties of 100 percent Japanese beef and a soy sauce and onion based topping. The cheese version also includes an original cheese topping made from Hokkaido Gouda cheese. Looks nice and isn't quite as expensive as some of the premium offerings from other fast food outlets. とびきりバーガー モスバーガー

http://mos.jp/cp/tobikiri/

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2014-09-07

Meiji Short Lived Suginoko Mura Chocolate from 1987

Many are familiar with Kinokonoyama and Takenokonosato, but not many remember that there was briefly a sister product called Suginoko Mura or Cedar Village. All of these products are chocolate covered bread sticks shaped as either mushrooms, bamboo shoots or cedar trees. きのこの山 たけのこ里 すぎのこ村 明治

http://www.meiji.co.jp/sweets/chocolate/kinotake/products/

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2014-09-06

Burger King Black Burgers are Back

It would appear that Burger King got enough publicity from their black burgers last year to bring them back again this year with a twist - specifically black cheese. They promise an experience which defies common sense. This time around there is the KURO pearl and the KURO diamond. Both feature black buns (using bamboo charcoal for coloring), a black patty (with black pepper added), black cheese (also colored with bamboo charcoal) and a black chaliapin sauce (colored using black squid ink). KURO means black in Japanese and the KURO diamond also has lettuce, onion, and tomato. By ordering the KURO diamond, you can add a large Coca Cola Zero (to complete the black experience) for free. These go on sale starting September 19th and will go for a nice premium, 490 and 690 yen. バーガーキング

http://www.burgerkingjapan.co.jp/release/pdf/PressRelease140910.pdf

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2014-09-05

Suntory Barley vs Malt

Nice visual from Suntory on the difference between barley and malt. Malt or malted barley has been allowed to germinate followed by drying. サントリー 麦 麦芽

http://www.suntory.co.jp/company/quality/monohito/12/

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2014-09-04

Coca Cola and the Harvest Moon

Coca Cola suggests toasting the harvest moon on the 15th with a Coke. 中秋の名月 コカ・コーラ

http://www.cocacola.co.jp/

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2014-09-03

Coca Cola Sign in Shibuya

Very nice side-by-side photos of the Coca Cola sign in Shibuya in 1966 and now. コカ・コーラ

http://www.cocacola.co.jp/

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2014-09-02

Yebisu Beer Festival

The Yebisu Beer Festival at Yebisu Garden Place sounds like a good place to be Sept 12-15. エビスビール サッポロ

http://www.sapporobeer.jp/area/shutoken/yebisubeerfes/index.html

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2014-09-01

Nissin, Morinaga and Nishikori

Kei Nishikori is making news for doing well at the US Open. Among his endorsements, you will see two food companies - Nissin (instant noodles) and Morinaga (Weider sports drink). 森永 日清 錦織圭

http://www.weider-jp.com/

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2014-08-31

Ito Ham Giveaway Recette and Hello Kitty

Ito Ham is conducting a 3 phase giveaway involving items that go well with sandwich meats. We are now in the second phase of this giveaway and the prize is a speciality bread (half a loaf) and commemorative plates.

Recette is an online bakery which sells specialty bread at pretty steep prices: 30 dollars for a loaf or 15 dollars for half a loaf (pictured above).

The plates commemorate the 40th Anniversary of Hello Kitty.
伊藤ハム

http://www.itoham.co.jp/campaign/asafresh2014/

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2014-08-30

Xylitol Gum Information Sheet from Compound Interest

Anyone interested in chemistry, science or food chemistry should definately follow Compound Interest which post great graphics daily. This post is about Xylitol Gum which is a very popular functional ingredient here in Japan.

http://www.compoundchem.com/2014/09/04/xylitol/

Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.

2014-08-29

Nikka Whiskey and Barley Varieties

Different varieties of barley are used for barley tea and for whiskey/beer. This nice illustration shows the difference. Six-row barley on the right is used for barley tea and two-row barley on the left is used for whiskey/beer. The two row barley has lower protein and higher carbohydrate content and therefore is more suitable for fermentation. However for some varieties of both whiskey and beer, six-row barleys are used. ニッカ

http://www.nikka.com/

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2014-08-28

Coca Cola Emergency Vending Machine

This is an emergency ready vending machine that in case of an earthquake or other major emergency will provide safety information and give out drinks free of charge. コカコーラ

http://www.cocacola.co.jp/

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2014-08-27

Ben & Jerry's Toasts Goodbye to Summer

Ben & Jerry's toasts summer goodbye. ベン&ジェリーズ

http://www.benjerry.jp/

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2014-08-26

Asahi Mitsuya Cider Aomori Apple

Asahi is offering a special version of their long selling Mitsuya Cider line which includes Orin variety apples from Aomori Prefecture. This is a special variety of golden delicious apple. 王林 青森県 三ツ矢

http://www.asahiinryo.co.jp/mitsuya-cider/

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2014-08-25

KFC Red Hot Chicken

The end of the summer brings the reintroduction of Red Hot Chicken at Kentucky Fried Chicken in Japan. A whole meal of only Red Hot Chicken can be a bit much, so KFC often offers mixed sets also including regular original recipe chicken. ケンタッキーフライドチッキン

http://www.kfc.co.jp/

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2014-08-24

Morinaga Mt. Rainier Caffe Latte Mochaccino

Morinaga has just introduced a mocha and cinnamon variety to its Mt. Rainier Caffe Latte line for the fall called the mochaccino, which is rated as very sweet. Looks like it is designed to compete with Christmas varieties at the big coffee chains. 森永

http://mtrainier.jp/

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2014-08-23

7-Eleven Shikoku Area

7-Eleven just opened its first convenience store in a train station on the island of Shikoku. So Japan's largest convenience store chain is making progress in this area where they have not traditionally been strong.

http://www.sej.co.jp/

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2014-08-22

Lawson Sanrio and Onigiri

Two Sanrio (the Hello Kitty company) characters Kirimi-chan (a slice of salmon) and Kamaboko-chan (a slice of fish paste) visit Lawson convenience store to promote new varieties of onigiri (rice balls).

http://www.sanrio.co.jp/character/kirimichan/

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2014-08-21

Suntory Highball Cola

Suntory is offering a cola highball for the fall season. Not much of a highball fan, but the highball boom which started several years ago appears to still have some legs. サントリー

http://www.suntory.co.jp/whisky/torys/

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2014-08-20

Meiji Savas and a Healthy Meal

Meiji suggests runners try high protein powdered sports drink Savas to go with a healthy meal. 明治 ザバス

http://www.meiji.co.jp/sports/savas/index.php

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2014-08-19

Morinaga Glucosamine Drink

Through its home delivery network, Morinaga now is selling a drink containing ingredients associated with joint health. A similar drink has been sold by Meiji through its home delivery network for years. Increasingly, Japanese dairy companies are using their home delivery networks to sell items for regular use like probiotics and supplements. This joint health drink contains glucosamine (1,500 mg), collagen (1,000 mg) and hyaluronic acid (5 mg).  森永 宅配 グルコサミン コラーゲン ヒアルロン酸

http://takuhaimilk.ne.jp/

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2014-08-18

KFC Route 25 Adult Kentucky

There are now two KFC Route 25 locations, with a central location now added in the Otemachi area. Route 25 is Kentucky Fried Chicken's attempt to take the brand upscale. That can be seen from this photo where Suntory Premium Beer and highballs are being offered with your chicken. It is being dubbed "Adult Kentucky" which sounds a bit better in Japanese - Kentucky Friend Chicken is frequently abbreviated Kentucky in Japanese. Now that there is a more central location, I really should go by and see how it looks for myself. 大人ケンタッキー

http://www.kfc.co.jp/

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2014-08-17

FamilyMart Bari Chocolate Collection

FamilyMart, the convenience store chain, has a new line of black sweets aimed at men. It is called Bari Chocolate, which comes from the Japanese word "barito" plus "chocolate". Hard to exactly translate in this case, but it conveys the sense of eating something in a rough manly manner. The product shown is a cream filled pasty, called shu cream in Japan or chou a la creme in French. This product has bits of hard chocolate incorporated in the bread part. There is also a black cheese cake in the collection with more products to come. シュークレーム

http://www.family.co.jp/topics/2014/140729_01.html

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2014-08-16

The Original KitKat

Here is a photo of the original KitKat, which at the time (1935) was called Rowntree's Chocolate Crisp. ネスレ キットカット

http://nestle.jp/brand/kit/product/

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2014-08-15

Meiji Apollo Regional Varieties

Here are a few of the Meiji Apollo regional varieties which correspond to local well known commodities and are sold to tourists to take back as presents, "omiyage" in Japanese. Clockwise from the bottom left you have grape flavor from the Shinshu area (Nagano), Mikan (Mandarin orange) flavor from Shizuoka, apple flavor from the Michinoku area (Tohoku), melon flavor from Hokkaido, and matcha green tea flavor from the Kansai area. 明治 アポロ お土産

http://www.meiji.co.jp/sweets/okashi-land/products/apollo/

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2014-08-14

Burger King Freah Avocado Whopper

Here is another view of the Premium Fresh Avocado Whopper. Very nice food photography. Interested to see not only what it tastes like, but what it looks like in real life. バーガーキング アボカド

https://www.burgerkingjapan.co.jp/

Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.