Poached Egg is back this month! From services yet to arrive in Japan to the latest Super Bowl commercial insights, we have plenty to share.

Hello! This is Sunny-chan from Public Relations!

Our monthly “Poached Egg” session—the meeting that turns you into an “instant expert”—was held online again this month!!

“Poached Egg” is a casual knowledge-sharing session where members bring the latest news and trends they are curious about. Our President also participates every time.

We have selected a few interesting news items brought by our members to share with you! By reading this, you too can become an “instant expert” along with us!

Solid almond milk made with only three ingredients!

https://vegworldmag.com/daily-harvest-breaks-into-new-category-with-launch-of-non-dairy-milk/
Image source: From “vegworldmag.com”

Daily Harvest, the New York-based smoothie delivery company, has launched a new subscription delivery service for “solid almond milk”!

Because solid milk is lighter than traditional liquid milk, they have reportedly succeeded in significantly cutting transportation costs. It is also an environmentally friendly product.

The ingredients consist of only three items: almonds, pink salt, and vanilla beans. It is a very healthy milk containing no sugar or unnecessary additives. Preparation is simple: just mix the solid milk with water! Since you can make exactly what you need when you need it, there is no longer any worry about wasting milk because it passed its expiration date.

This service has just launched in the United States and has not yet arrived in Japan, but it is certainly a service we would love to see here.

Rapidly rising in popularity!? Not “Clubhouse,” but “Crabhouse”

https://rocketnews24.com/2021/02/09/1459595/
Image source: From “rocketnews24.com”

“Clubhouse,” which we previously introduced at Poached Egg, has been very popular lately.

“Clubhouse” is a social media app that allows users to easily interact with strangers or celebrities via audio only. However, some users find it difficult to figure out how to enjoy it, or face barriers to creating an account because it is strictly invitation-only…

In the midst of this, “Crabhouse” has appeared! It has reportedly gained massive popularity with 88,000 retweets on Twitter. As for the content, it simply features pixel-art crabs talking. It is extremely simple: when someone starts the game, the number of crabs increases. No invitation is required to start.

It is an interesting app that cleverly plays off the characteristics of Clubhouse.

https://tabi-labo.com/298483/vege-milk-pea
Image source: From “tabi-labo.com”

In recent years, plant-based milks such as soy, almond, and coconut milk have been attracting attention as alternatives to cow’s milk. Amidst this trend, “pea milk” made from yellow peas is currently surging in popularity in Europe and the US!

The amount of water used in the production process is significantly lower than that for cow’s milk, soy, or nuts, making it environmentally friendly. While it is not yet widespread in Japan, it can be easily made at home with just peas and water, so if you are interested, please give it a try during your time at home.

Are “unflattering” photo booths the new trend!?

https://harajuku-pop.com/22895
Image source: “joah-girls.com”

When people think of “Purikura” (photo booths), they think of machines that are immensely popular with high school girls and couples for making photos look better. The main appeal was that they made you look more attractive than a normal photo, right? However, the latest trend is reportedly the South Korean version of “unflattering” photo booths.

The Korean version of Purikura, used by popular K-pop groups like BTS and TWICE, differs from the Japanese version in that it does not enhance your appearance and uses very simple backgrounds. There are only four types of poses. While it might seem lacking at first glance, in an era where “enhancement” has escalated to the point where you can no longer tell who is in the photo, the popularity of simple photo booths that return to the basics may be seeing a resurgence!

You can also take these Korean-style photos in Japan, so if you see one, please give it a try.

US Super Bowl commercials: A major impact on corporate image

https://www.elle.com/jp/culture/g35426004/2021-super-bowl-cm-best-and-worst-210205/?slide=1
Image source: “www.businessinsider.jp”

The Super Bowl, the championship of American football and the largest sporting event in the US, is a major event with viewership exceeding 40%! Consequently, the commercials aired during the Super Bowl also become a focus of attention every year.

With the world facing hardships due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s Super Bowl commercials showed a trend of companies sending messages that need to be heard during this transition toward a “better society.”

While some companies, such as the beer brand Budweiser and Japan’s own Toyota, aired heartwarming commercials that reaffirmed the responsibility of advertising to connect people and society, others aired “tone-deaf” commercials that failed to read the social climate, resulting in negative publicity. Given the high level of attention, the impact of these commercials on brand image appears to be significant.

It is interesting to pay attention not only to the Super Bowl game itself but also to the commercials that air during the breaks.

Did any of these news items catch your interest?

In addition to the monthly Poached Egg blog, we will regularly update and introduce topics that our members find interesting through our “Fun News from Around the World” section and our official Twitter, so please look forward to it!