Eats Meets West Global innovations in food and beverage A blog by Nagase America

It seems no one is eating just plain cake donuts these days.  First, it was the New York panic over “Cronuts,” the melt-in-your-mouth combination of a croissant and a donut.  And now the big craze in Chicago is focused on “Wonuts”, a yummy hybrid of donuts and waffles.  Wonuts are available in several Chicago bakeries …

No longer just breakfast items, donuts are gaining popularity as snack indulgences eaten during the day.  In fact, Technomic’s latest “Breakfast Consumer Trend Report” found that 48% of consumers agree that they enjoy breakfast at non-traditional times.  Whether eaten during the morning or at midnight, donuts should look and taste as if they were freshly …

Incorporating antimicrobial substances into pullulan edible films could offer an innovative solution for controlling foodborne pathogens, according to an article published in the Journal of Food Science (Morsy and others 2014).  The study examined the antimicrobial effectiveness of pullulan films on the surfaces of fresh and ready-to-eat meat and poultry.  Rosemary and oregano essential oils, …

With a nearly quarter of the population over 65, Japan boasts one of the longest life expectancies in the world (84 years) and is a world leader in healthy aging (CIA, 2014). A recent article by the AARP noted the “secrets” of Japanese longevity were a healthy diet, regular exercise, extended work years and government …

There is no doubt that freshness keeps consumers coming back for more, especially when it comes to packaged and convenience foods.  Over the next decade, the purchase of packaged and convenience foods is forecasted to increase 10%, according to the NPD Group (2013).  While consumers want products that meet the needs of their busy lifestyles, …

From protein to clean labels, many of us have a grasp on what’s trending in the United States in terms of food and beverages.  But how about in other areas of the world?  We asked our Japanese colleagues to weigh in on the top food and beverage trends in Japan in 2015.  Below are their picks. 1.  …

Welcome to Nagase America’s new blog, Eats Meets West!  This blog will share views on food and beverage that are both globally important and locally relevant. Written for food and beverage industry professionals, our blog will cover topics including: Consumer and market insights Technical solutions to formulation challenges Global food and beverage trends and innovations Information on Nagase’s proprietary ingredients, including TREHA® trehalose, pullulan …