The other morning, I added a handful of Goji berries to my cereal. I enjoy dried fruit, but most cereals fall short when it comes to variety and volume of fruit inclusions. The Goji berries were bright red, chewy, but—after a few days—sticky. Despite their “superfood” halo, they still contain fructose. But that’s not the […]
Observations from a flying visit (May 2025) Flying from Japan to Europe these days often involves a gruelling journey over Alaska with hours spent gazing at Greenland—or a much more tolerable route through the Middle East. I, for one, lack the patience for the former and typically opt for a stopover in Dubai or Qatar.
Châteraisé’s Quest for a Hero Product in Dubai – Have They Done Their Homework? Read More »
Korean food exports hit an all-time high of $13 billion in 2024, and it’s only a matter of time before brands like Orion, Ottogi, and Pulmuone become household names worldwide. A recent news report revealed that there are now 11 Korean food companies with sales exceeding $2 billion. Orion, Ottogi, and Pulmuone are among these
Orion, Ottogi, and Pulmuone: Rising Stars in Korean Food Exports Read More »
Introduction to Kimchi’s Popularity Kimchi, a staple in Korean cuisine, has a per capita consumption of 40 kg per year in South Korea. Japan is the second-largest market for kimchi, highlighting its global appeal. China’s Growing Kimchi Market In China, often referred to as “pao cai” (韩式泡菜), kimchi generated USD 870 million in revenue in
How Should Kimchi and CJ’s Bibigo Be Promoted in Europe and the US? Read More »
I was fortunate to attend the UK launch of Hunt and Brew in London. Hunt and Brew is a ready to drink coffee, created and marketed by Brownes, one of Australia’s leading dairy producers. Brownes is based in Western Australia, employs over 300 staff and was founded in 1886. Hunt and Brew’s promise is simple,
Why Hunt and Brew’s UK Debut is a Game-Changer for Coffee Lovers Read More »
The export of Japanese food started in earnest with sushi in the 1980s at the zenith of Japan’s postwar boom. Today the export of ‘washoku’ (food, agriculture and fishery products) exceeds $8.7b. It’s a number that is climbing every year. Animé is even bigger worth $29.4b in exports in 2022 thanks to the likes of
For many in Asia oranges are a symbol of courage, health and happiness. In China for example oranges are associated with longevity, whilst in Malaysia and Vietnam they are often given as gifts in the lunar new year. However these are challenging times for fruit businesses and promoting oranges in particular. The spot price of
Fruit brands squeezed financially and creatively as the price of OJ soars Read More »
I was in Seoul, South Korea last week for an innovation workshop. It had nothing to do with coffee, but whilst there I couldn’t fail to notice the huge number of coffee shops. One figure I saw referenced 75,000 coffee shops in the country, around one for every 700 people. The number of stores has
Is there a tipping point when Koreans say they’ve drunk too much latte or espresso? Read More »
Ozempic is one of the easier prescription drug names to pronounce and remember. I do not know who conjured up the brand name, but it was time well spent. For those who don’t know, it’s a “semaglutide” a type of drug that slows down appetite inducing hormones. Studies have shown that semaglutides can lead to
Have we now past the peak in weight loss drugs like Ozempic? Read More »
I’ll start with a confession, I don’t like durian. In marketing terms I am a rejector, neither am I a considerer (someone who may buy but doesn’t currently) and of course I am not a user. I have my former colleagues in Malaysia to blame. I will not name and shame here as many of