Colorful Coke cans being sold in Brazil to coincide with the World Cup.
http://www.cocacola.co.jp/
Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.
How about this, Nikukai (a Facebook meat lover's information and event group) suggests karaage (boneless fried chicken balls) on waffles with syrup. Have to admit I am a bit curious. 肉会
https://nikukai.dmm.com/
Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.
A new Yamazaki Lunch Pack variety uses Crown Melons, which is a famous brand of muskmelon from Shizuoka prefecture. I just looked on the internet and they appear to go from 30 to 60 dollars a piece, but I think they can probably be found for much more. In any case, this set contains one Crown Melon cream sandwich and one whip cream sandwich and is categorized as part of their sweet series. ヤマザキ クラウンメロンクリーム
http://www.yamazakipan.co.jp/
Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.
This is a variant on what is known as pearl milk tea, bubble tea or boba milk tea in the US, and which originated in Taiwan. This product is a mango Calpis drink line extension, packaged and distributed under the Elbee brand, the Asahi company which handles paper packaging. The "bubbles" are tapioca flavored konjac balls which are chewy, fun to eat and provide a certain sense of fullness. エルビー アサヒ タピオカ カルピス
http://elbee.asahishop.net/
Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.
As part of their World Cup Brazil series, McDonald's is offering these Italian fried risotto balls. They are made of whole grain rice with a creamy cheese center. One variety is tomato flavor and the other squid ink flavor (one of my favorite flavors actually). Look really good, but haven't tried them yet. マクドナルド
http://www.mcdonalds.co.jp/campaign/worldcup/taste/index.html#italy
Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.
How about this sandwich? That would have been an interesting development meeting to be part of. This really is a cross between the offerings of both chains, with a pastry like bun and spicy filling. Here are the layers in order: French cruller bun, a spiral-shaped sausage, hot chilli sauce, onion, tomato, lettuce, mayonnaise, lower French cruller bun.
I went by and tried this and have to say it is actually pretty good, much, much better than I thought it would be. The chilli is spicy, but nevertheless goes fine with the cruller bun. Since it needs a little more texture to not fall apart, the cruller reminds me more of a waffle than a delicate pastry. モス ミスタードーナツ フレンチクルーラー
http://mosdo.jp/special/
Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.
This is an interesting chart, although sort of confusing. It contrasts the merits of 3 different protein types: whey, casein, and soy. It then goes on to ignore casein and introduce products that contain either whey protein only, soy protein only, or a 50/50 mixture. This is also interesting coming from a dairy company which, most of which usually only praise dairy protein in the ongoing dairy protein vs soy protein debate. With the WHO coming out with a report last year which supports dairy protein as superior, one might have thought that the debate was over. In any case, this is a thumbnail of the points made:
1) whey protein contains branched chain amino acids, which help build muscle and support immune function and are quickly absorbed by the body. Therefore whey protein is good for "junior athletes" who want to get bigger and for recover after sporting events.
and
2) soy protein supports metabolism, does not contain undesirable fats, supports immune function, and contains antioxidants (flavonoids). Therefore soy protein is good for athletes who want to build lean body mass.
One of the pictured products contains 100 percent whey protein, the second 100 percent soy protein, and the third a 50/50 mixture. 明治 ザバス
http://www.meiji.co.jp/sports/savas/index.php
Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.
In celebration of Burger King's 60th Anniversary, Burger King Japan is holding an all-you-can-eat whopper competition at the Roppongi location on the 19th. The contest rules state that only people who feel confident that they can eat 7 whoppers in 30 minutes should enter. The winner gets a month of free whoppers starting on the 20th. I'm not sure gorging or living on fast food for a month are things to be encouraged, but it is an interesting promotion. バーガーキング
http://www.burgerkingjapan.co.jp/campaign/biking_invitation/
Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.
These 3 Hakushu Whisky varieties are all International Spirits Challenge 2014 winners. I recently visited the Hakushu distillery, so it is nice to see Hakushu Whisky win some awards, but if you look up the award website, there is a sizable number of winners each year. The varieties are Hakushu Single Malt Whisky 18 Years, Hakushu Single Malt Whisky 25 Years, and Hakushu Single Malt Whisky Sherry Cask. サントリー 白州
http://www.suntory.co.jp/news/2014/12084.html
Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.
Lotteria started selling special naan bread sandwiches this week. One is a tomato curry chicken sandwich and the other is a tandoori chicken sandwich (which uses a mixture of 14 spices). ロッテリア タンドリーチキン
https://www.lotteria.jp/topics/2014/topics06050001.html
Photo is a web capture for explanatory purposes, copyright belongs to the company.
