News from Other Times

East-West sweets are a favorite fusion feast | The Japan Times http://t.co/MtF7cJq7zw
— johnny cassidy (@Snewsing) September 13, 2013

What's In Store

I don't have a store but if I did, I would sell these:

Cookiyo-e

(Originally posted on the Temple Valley Times 7/29/2013)

Chew on This

(Press release from Morinaga America)

Morinaga America to Open U.S. Production Facility

Irvine, CA (September 3, 2013) – Morinaga America, Inc. is pleased to announce plans for the opening of a production facility in Orange County, North Carolina.

The 20-acre facility will be the first of its kind on U.S. soil for Morinaga-America which is the sole marketing and distribution channel for HI-CHEW Fruit Chews in the United States.

“We are so excited announce that we will be beginning operations in North Carolina. It is a testament to the strength of our brand that after a few short years in the United States we were able to move forward with this endeavor. I am confident that our company will only be strengthened more by the new relationship between Morinaga-America, and Orange County, North Carolina.”
-Masao Hoshino, Chief Executive Officer

Currently HI-CHEW is produced in Taiwan and imported to the United States, but it has seen an explosion in popularity in recent years, leading to the decision to begin production in the United States.

“With the recent growth of HI-CHEW, beginning production in the United States made sense for us from a logistical standpoint. We are proud to say that HI-CHEW will soon be “Made in the USA”.
-Terry Kawabe, Chief Operating Officer

The facility is slated to begin operation in the middle of 2015.

Another One Down

It's 11/11 - Pocky Day

Frozen Soup is Hot!

Akagi Corp., maker of Japan's top ice pop brand, "Gari Gari-kun," rolled out its newest flavor, Corn Potage, earlier this week. The frozen creamy corn soup on a stick sold out in just three days with people across the country asking, "May I have some more, please, Gari Gari-kun?"

Some, like the gentleman in the video above, just can't wait for Akagi to whip up another batch and have taken matters into their own hands while expanding the horizons of possibility for this new frozen food fad.

Stickin' with Sir S

Another classic direct from the king of candy reviewers Sir Sebastian:




You might also like: Once in a Century

The Chocolate War

Takenoko no Sato                vs.                   Kinoko no Yama 

Which one is more supreme: Takenoko (Bamboo Shoot) or Kinoko (Mushroom)? That has been the eternal question in the Japanese snack world. Well at least since since 1979 when Meiji Chocolate's Takenoko no Sato (Bamboo Shoot Village) arrived on the scene to challenge its 4-year-old favorite Kinoko no Yama (Mountain of Mushrooms). So heated has been the debate over the merits of these two likable treats, it has led to all out war. When the cocoa powder dust finally settles, who will be the victor? I guess it's all really a matter of taste. So go ahead and decide their fate for yourself and give them both a taste of what they have been dishing out for years.




Some of the cast (in order of appearance):
The Mushroom Assassin 
The Mushroom Army 
The Bamboo Shoot Army 
The White Chocolate Mushroom Guard
Strawberry Vanilla Bamboo Shoot (as the Emperor)