2012-08-19

Pronto August Pastas

Pronto's August lineup of pastas are as follows:
Chilled Fresh Pasta with Spicy Za Jiang Sauce (ピリ辛ジャージャー麺風生パスタ)

   (uses chitarra キタッラ made pasta)
Tomato Carbonata Spaghetti with Summer Vegetables (夏野菜とトマトカルボラーラスパゲティ)
   (some Danish ingredients)
Chilled Tomato Sauce Spaghetti with Pork Shabu Shabu (豚しゃぶと冷製トマトソーススパゲティ)
   (uses Japanese "yongenton" 四元豚 pork - as I understand it, a cross of 4 breeds to produce a superior pig)

http://www.pronto.co.jp/menu/cafe/food.html

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

Asahi Mitsuya Cider with Salt

This is actually a product from last year, but shows salt in larger print than the brand name. Mitsuya has long been the cider brand in Japan, and actually dates to 1884. This product was promoted as a carbonated beverage for mineral replenishment during the summer months.

http://www.asahiinryo.co.jp/company/newsrelease/2011/pick_0629.html

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

Asahi Salt Jelly Type Drinks

Asahi is offering Salt Lemon Jelly and Salt Plum Jelly drinks in squeeze packs. They both contain extra salt (sodium), vitamins (C as well as a range of B vitamins) and citric acid. The Chinese character for salt (塩) takes up a huge amount of real estate on these packages.

http://asahi-fh.com/common/press/2012/120502.html

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

Kirin Four Roses Bourbon‏

Four Roses Bourbon is sold by Kirin in Japan. They are not currently running any promotions, but they do have mixed drink ideas and a virtual tour of the Kentucky factory on the nice looking Japanese site.

http://www.kirin.co.jp/brands/sw/fourroses/products/index.html

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

2012-08-18

Wendy's Lobster & Caviar Burger

To celebrate the opening of their new location (second location) in Roppongi, Wendy's is adding 3 items to its Japan Premium series and calling them collectively Ocean Premium. Once again, the prices are high, but they certainly look like nothing I have ever seen before. There is a link to a good article below.

Ocean Premium
Caviar & Lobster Sandwich (Canadian Omar Lobster, caviar) 1,280 yen
Lobster Surf & Turf Burger (Canadian Omar Lobster, steak) 1,280 yen
(I assume the surf & turf refers to lobster and steak coming from sea and land.)
Garden Sensations Caviar & Lobster Salad (Canadian Omar Lobster, caviar) 1,580 yen

PDF Press Release
http://wendys.co.jp/wendys/pdf/120801.pdf

Good Article
http://www.walletpop.ca/blog/2012/08/13/lobster-and-caviar-burgers-wendys-goes-upscale-in-japan/

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

Pepsi Salty Watermelon

I have shown this product before, and I show it again here to emphasize how Suntory and Pepsi are not shy about putting salt up front and center on a label.

http://www.suntory.co.jp/news/2012/11442.html

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

Meiji Perfect Plus Salt Energy

This jelly type drink in a pouch is part of the Meiji Perfect Plus energy bar and drink line. This one puts salt in the name and contains sodium, potassium, magnesium, citric acid and vitamin B6.

http://www.meiji.co.jp/corporate/pressrelease/2012/detail/20120612_01.html

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

Meiji VAAM the Comic‏

VAAM is a sports drink which claims to help the user burn fat, and therefore help athletes perform at higher levels (supposedly glycogen is not depleted as quickly). Meiji has an online series of comics where Mr. VAAM introduces VAAM to a variety of people. In one a boy and he ends up with better track and field results, and in another a lady gets in shape simply by drinking VAAM and riding her bike to work.

http://vaam.jp/sports/comic/index.jsp

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

2012-08-17

Wendy's Foie Gras Rossini

The most recent incarnation of Wendy's in Japan is smaller scale and features higher end sandwiches, which they call Japan Premium (and add that these premium burgers are only available in Japan). They have had a store in the Omotesando area of Tokyo and this week are opening a second store in Roppongi - both fashionable areas frequented by foreigners and people with money.

This Foie Gras Rossini burger with truffle sells for 1,280 yen. Looks delicious, but that price is pretty steep. No detailed product description is given on the pretty, yet Spartan website.

http://wendys.co.jp/wendys/index.php

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

Meiji Salt Support

Meiji sells a candy designed to help maintain a proper mineral balance. This highlights something I failed to mention in the previous post. Salt refers not only to table salt (sodium chloride) but also potassium and even magnesium. These products make a point of keeping a proper sodium/potassium balance (750 mg/170 mg). There are three products in the series: plum flavor with added citric acid, sports drink flavor with added iron, and sports drink flavor with added sugar.

http://www.meiji.co.jp/corporate/pressrelease/2012/detail/20120612_01.html

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