May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage month, so we’re celebrating some of our favorite AAPI-owned food and beverage brands that are shaking things up in the industry. From soups to sauces, coffees to seltzers and snacks to meals, these Asian and Pacific Islander inspired eats leave a lasting (and delicious) impact in the American food space.   1. Bachans This Japanese “umami–filled, teriyaki-ish”  barbecue sauce is made straight from a family recipe. Using authentic Japanese ingredients and cold filled in small batches, it guarantees a fresh and flavorful experience ..read more

  Image Credit: Polina Tankilevitch Since the 1950’s, a problematic group of chemicals have been widely used in food packaging that most Americans have come in contact with. They’re what prevents grease from soaking through your pizza delivery boxes, and your to-go salad container from leaking. The presence of these chemicals contaminates food and leaches into the environment – with studies detecting their presence in 95 percent of the U.S. population. Growing concerns about the effects of these chemicals have pressured companies to seek alternative materials for their food packaging.&nbs ..read more

  There’s an influx of products that promote rest and relaxation, as more consumers seek out that perfect night of sleep. This Eye On Design article explores unconventional sleep aids, and Interact strategy director Whitney Siegel weighs in on the business of branding sleep-themed food and beverages. The post Blog first appeared on Interact ..read more

After overindulging over the holidays, it’s popular to abstain from alcohol during the month of January. This along with the growing “sober curious” movement have driven a demand for low-to-zero-proof libations. Cheers to our favorite booze-free bevs this year.    All Buzz, No Booze If you miss the physical effects of alcohol, alternative ingredients can offer a little boost – sans hangover. CBD, adaptogens and nootropics have the power to affect your mood, promoting focus, energy or a calming effect.    Sun Chaser This mocktail promises a light mood lift, thanks to a ..read more

2020 spurred plenty of change in food and beverage trends. Consumers are buying groceries online, cooking at home, and ordering takeout more than ever – forcing brands and restaurants to evolve in order to accommodate this cultural shift. We’re taking a look ahead at what food and beverage trends we might see in the coming year.  Here’s what we think 2021 will have in store for both consumers and brands:     Skipping the middleman  As shoppers continue to seek alternative ways to buy groceries, online sales have driven a greater demand for items sold direct-to-consumer ..read more

  Cleanli Brings Self Care To Hand Sanitizer At the start of the pandemic, with hand sanitizer panic buying leading to empty shelves and out of stock notices online, for many people it felt like a relief to just be able to buy hand sanitizer somewhere, regardless of the brand, ingredients, or how it felt on your skin. As three friends living in various parts of the world, we noticed a common problem.  The sanitizers that kept us safe weren’t practical for everyday use; they dried and hurt your hands, smelt offensive, and used harsh ingredients. We wanted to create a hand sanitizer th ..read more

Hard seltzer was the light, session-worthy beverage star of summer 2020. But it didn’t stop there; alcohol companies have kept the momentum going well into winter. With a growing abundance of hard seltzer varieties, the key for a brand’s success is setting itself apart in a crowded space. Thus, we are seeing lots of interesting new concepts debut in the hard seltzer category.    The Bud Light Sweater Variety Pack is making a splash in the hard seltzer space. Packaged to emulate an ugly Christmas sweater and offering unique seasonal flavors like peppermint patty and ginger snap, it’s ..read more

Consumers are more daring than ever when it comes to trying extremely spicy flavors. The trend is booming on social media platforms, and big brands are noticing – fiery flavors are showcased in snacks, sauces and even donuts across well known restaurants and food brands. Though Ghost Peppers and Carolina Reapers were once regarded as forbidden and downright dangerous, this movement of using high-Scoville rated peppers in food allows adventurous customers to take a walk on the spicy side.    Hormel® Ghost Reaper World’s Hottest Chili with Beans Hormel’s limited edition Ghost Reaper Ch ..read more

The pandemic has reshaped our lives in many ways, and our eating habits are no exception. When many found themselves working from home, traditional meal occasions have slipped away. Never needing to change out of your pajamas all day means that breakfast food for dinner isn’t too strange, right? Americans are snacking more often than ever, and that means that the opportunities for early meal eating occasions have expanded. Companies are taking the opportunity to market products that may have raised consumer eyebrows pre-pandemic, but now anything goes when it comes to breakfast.   Reese ..read more

Animal-free meat and dairy products are synthesized in labs via cells, creating products that are as close to the real deal as it gets.  The meat alternative market is flooded with plant-based foods, imitating traditionally animal derived staples like burgers, nuggets, and cheese. Technology has allowed many of these products to traverse into “I can’t believe it’s not meat” territory, and even fast food giants like Burger King have welcomed plant-based meat alternatives to their menus. Whether vegetarian, vegan or flexitarian, the consumer demand for meat-free eats is at an all time high ..read more