Creating a New Food Culture based on our Asian Heritage
Originating in Asia, we are a global flavor house that has been learning and deepening our understanding about Asian food culture and driving innovation for more than 100 years.
"Asian cuisine" is gaining interest around the world
Asian food has become increasingly popular all over the world in recent years. Our Global Pulse Trendseeds™ report, which captures the latest market and consumer trends, shows that one of the key macro trends is “Delicious Destination” in which consumers are interested in trying foods and beverages from other cultures to experience different tastes allowing them to “travel through flavor”.
Insights from Takasago’s Strategic Consumer Research in 14 countries reflect that Japanese, Korean, and Chinese are the top Asian cuisines of interest among consumers. It is noteworthy that the interest in Asian cuisines is not only high in Asian countries but also in Western countries.
Ramen: a popular dish around the world
Among the Asian cuisines, we would firstly highlight Ramen which is an extremely popular Japanese dish which continuously evolves through chef’s craftmanship while incorporating Asian traditions and various elements of Japanese cuisine. Takasago has studied a wide range of ramen, from the long-time favorites to the latest emerging ramen, and has obtained a deep understanding of the flavor profiles. The knowledge we gain from this research is shared with Takasago Flavors' R&D teams worldwide, leading to the development of authentic flavors.
We know a lot about the culinary traditions, ingredients, and cooking methods of many Asian cuisines, including Japanese. Therefore, we can deliver new food culture and are engaged in various initiatives.
Fermented Foods promotes the deliciousness of Asian Cuisines
Fermented foods, such as miso, kimchi, fish sauce, etc., are essential to the deliciousness of Asian cuisines. Some fermented foods are widely known for their health benefits, as they contain microorganisms that help regulate the intestinal environment. With the rising health awareness of global consumers, these fermented foods are getting more popular yearly. Fish sauce is one of the fermented ingredients that are widely popular and used in Asia. It is a seasoning or condiment produced by fermenting salt-cured fish or other types of seafood which plays a significant role in adding flavor depth such as umami to Southeast Asian cuisine.
Recognizing the need to express authentic and well-loved flavors since Asian delicacies are increasingly sought after, even in Western countries, Takasago has conducted various consumer studies as well as expert sensory evaluations, which enable us to understand the preferred fish sauce profiles and create an authentic Asian Fish Sauce Flavor Collection.
Korean Cuisine attracts great attention along with the boom of K-Culture
Among Asian cuisines, Korean food has also been booming in recent years. With the increasing influence of Korea’s pop culture, including drama, movies, and music, Korean cuisine has gained popularity globally. Interestingly, the focus has been on a wide variety of menu items, from classic dishes such as Korean barbecue to street food such as Tteokbokki. Our knowledge of Korean food culture also allows us to deliver the flavors of authentic Korean tastes. We have a variety of flavors that let you taste and experience Korea.
Asia is diverse and rich in “Ingredients” and “Deliciousness”
Asia is also a source of tea and coffee. Each country has its unique tastes and ways of enjoying them. There is also a wide variety of fruit cultivars. Japanese fruits, in particular, are grown with great care and attention to their flavor profiles, and many varieties are recognized worldwide for their high aroma and excellent balance of sweet and sour flavors.
Takasago, a global flavor house with multiple R&D centers in Asia, continues to capture the evolving trends and deliver authentic Asian flavors that meet the needs of consumers.