May Days

Posted on May 3, 2024 by Bert Tanimoto

Just for fun, let’s see how many holidays in May I can cover using my Zojirushi stuff. Ready? The first one is obvious—Mother’s Day! This was my spread for Mom’s Day; homemade cake and a salad. I made Strawberry Short Cake using the cake settting on my breadmaker. This was my first try so it wasn’t perfect, but I’m betting you guys can do better with practice. Here are the steps:

1. First, bake the cake. The bread machine will do everything. Then slice the top off so it'll be easier to decorate.

2. Slice it in half. Just use a bread knife or bread slicer to do this as evenly as you can.

3. Fill it with strawberrries. Make your own homemade whipped cream or just buy Cool Whip and layer the bottom slice with cream, sliced strawberries, and more whipped cream.

4. Frost the cake. Use the rest of your whipped cream to decorate all around and on top of your cake. Top it with whole strawberries and there it is!

OK, I’m not a pastry chef and it may not look professional, but it’s very cute, right? I mean, it’s the thought, right? Right? This actually tasted pretty good tho because the strawberries were sweet.

Anyway, Happy Mother’s Day!

By the way, did you know May is also National Strawberry Month? Well, now you do.

Let’s get back to that salad I made for National Salad Month. What?! What? You didn’t think I’d miss that opportunity, did you? This is a legit Chinese Chicken Salad the way the locals eat it. (Of course there are a gazillion variations so don’t come at me please.) Bake some chicken breast in your toaster oven. You can always save and use the extra for another purpose some other time.

Two chicken breasts cooked in oven toaster

Assemble your Chinese Chicken Salad with fried wonton strips, Romaine lettuce (this has to be Romaine, any other kind is sacrilege), sliced almonds, mandarin orange slices (if you want), julienne carrots, cilantro and the shredded chicken. Now here’s the important part—only use real Chinese Chicken Salad dressing, either a good bottled brand or make your own from a trusted recipe. With a salad, the dressing makes or breaks it, agree?

Growing up in Hawaii, I always thought this salad was a local kine food, but I know now that it has roots in California. That’s OK—the fact remains it’s not really from mainland China. but is actually Asian-American. And that’s why it’s the perfect salad to make for AAPI (Asian American Pacific Islander) Month. See what I did there?

Yes, May is AAPI Month. And to show I don’t always only talk about macaroni salad and SPAM®, we made a classic Filipino recipe called Chicken Adobo. My first exposure to adobo was Pork Adobo, a deliciously tangy dish that was regularly served at the employees cafeteria at the Princess Kaiulani Hotel, where I worked as a telephone operator during my college days. Most of the housekeeping staff at Hawaii’s hotels were from the Philippines, so I guess that’s why they had it on the menu. What makes this dish special is the vinegar based sweet/sour marinade.

This is a good one to do in your electric skillet. Just looking at this image, while knowing the tartness of the flavor, makes my mouth water.

And of course you eat this over rice because it’s Asian American. So good!

And now a word about SPAM®. Did I say I wasn’t going to talk about it? Did you know that cans of SPAM® are given as holiday gifts in South Korea? In fancy boxed sets? Introduced by the U.S. troops during the Korean War in the 1950s, this canned meat has become a staple of Korean culture and isn’t looked down upon as it usually is by some Americans (outside of Hawaii). One of their most popular dishes is called Army Stew, which loads up on kimchi, sausage, ramen noodles and SPAM®! So you see, SPAM® isn’t just an Asian American Pacific Islander thing. It’s much more than you think!

If you want to see how I made Korean Army Stew, check it out here.

Happy May and all its holidays. And May the 4th be with you!

Products used in this post: Micom Toaster Oven ET-ZLC30, Home Bakery Maestro® Breadmaker BB-SSC10, Gourmet d’Expert® Electric Skillet EP-PBC10

Please note that these recipes were not tested by Zojirushi America.

All images by Bert Tanimoto ©2024

A Journey Through Time: The Evolution of Unique Carafes at Zojirushi

Posted on April 25, 2024 by Zojirushi America Corporation

As we dive into the rich history of Zojirushi, we uncover the innovative spirit and dedication to quality that has defined our brand for decades. Among our diverse range of products, our carafes stand out for their unique materials and design, reflecting our customers’ evolving tastes and needs.

Join us as we take a nostalgic journey, looking back at some of the most distinctive carafes that have shaped our brand. From the luxurious copper pot to the practical and durable stainless steel carafe, these carafes became the blueprint for our commitment to innovation.

The Copper Pot Carafe: A Gleaming Gem from 1979

In 1979, amidst the rising popularity of copper products, Zojirushi introduced a hammered copper carafe that quickly became a sought-after high-end gift item. Its deep sepia shine, complemented by natural wood accents on the handle and stopper, captured the essence of both traditional elegance and modern simplicity. This carafe was not just a vessel for beverages; it was a piece of art that appealed to young and old alike. The inner glass liner, tinted to match the exterior copper color as well as the uniquely Zojirushi spout cover feature, underscored our commitment to beauty, functionality, and attention to detail.

The Rattan Series: Embracing Nature in Design

Fast forward to 1986, and the introduction of the Rattan Series marked a new chapter in our design journey. These carafes, air pots, and even an ice pail wrapped in natural rattan, resonated with nature-oriented consumers looking for authentic, eco-friendly products. Offered in different sizes, these fan-favorite items show the ingenuity of Zojirushi’s quest for craftsmanship. Popular in the spring and summer for their cool and organic feel, these items also excelled at maintaining the temperature of cold beverages, proving that style and substance could coexist harmoniously. Today, you can still see the enduring popularity of the Rattan Series on social media as a testament to the lasting appeal of these designs.

The late 1970s witnessed a revolution in vacuum insulation technology with the introduction of the first stainless steel vacuum bottle—a milestone Zojirushi embraced in 1981 with our own stainless steel vacuum bottle. Shatterproof and lighter than their glass-lined counterparts, these stainless steel bottles represented a leap forward in durability and portability. This innovation paved the way for the creation of a wide array of products, including the first stainless steel carafe by Zojirushi. Ideal for both household and commercial use, the stainless steel carafe became synonymous with convenience and reliability. With its simple easy-to-use functionality and outstanding insulation technology, it became the forerunner to the current Zojirushi products today.

Inspired by Life

From the elegance of the copper pot carafe to the rustic charm of the Rattan Series and the groundbreaking durability of the stainless steel liner, Zojirushi’s journey through carafe materials reflects our ongoing quest to blend aesthetics with functionality. Each material, with its unique properties and design, tells a story of innovation and tradition, underscoring our commitment to have people treasure everyday life with Zojirushi products.

Discover more about Zojirushi’s history and innovative products by exploring our Food & Culture blog. Do you own one of these product or have seen them? Share them with us on Facebook or Instagram.

Elevate Your Service with the Zojirushi Air Pot® Beverage Dispenser AAPE-22/25

Posted on April 18, 2024 by Zojirushi America Corporation

In the fast-paced hospitality and service industry, the efficiency and reliability of your equipment play a crucial role in the guest experience. The Zojirushi Air Pot® Beverage Dispenser AAPE-22/25, designed to cater to the varied needs of cafes, restaurants, and catering services, ensures that every hot and cold beverage you serve delivers satisfaction in every sip. Join us as we dive into the distinctive features that make our Air Pot® a favorite among industry professionals.

Designed for Service Excellence

Our Air Pot® Beverage Dispensers AAPE-22/25 are available in two sizes, each featuring a premium stainless steel finish that offers functionality and elegance for your service needs.

Meet the two models:

The AAPE-22 holds a capacity of 74 oz. or 2.2 liters and measures 15-1/4 inches in height, it boasts heat retention* of 169°F after 10 hours and 145°F after 24 hours. Its stainless color and replaceable inner glass liner make it versatile and durable.

The AAPE-25 offers a slightly larger capacity than the AAPE-22, holding 83 oz. or 2.45 liters. This product measures 15-3/4 inches in height. This model ensures heat retention* of 172°F after 10 hours and 147°F after 24 hours, slightly higher than the AAPE-22 because of it’s larger capacity. The glass liner will preserve the coffee’s fresh taste while also boasting the best vacuum insulation. Replacement liners are available if needed through our Customer Service.

Functions & Features

The Air Pot® Beverage Dispenser comes packed with dynamic features and functions specifically designed to meet the needs of today’s hospitality services. Each model features Zojirushi’s signature high-quality vacuum insulated glass liner, ensuring contents stay hot or cold for hours. Furthermore, Zojirushi’s patented Brew-Thru® stem stopper and a removable lid, which opens a full 125°, allow for direct brewing under most commercial brewers, enhancing functionality and convenience. Take a closer look:

●Brew-Thru® Stem Stopper: The innovative Brew-Thru® stem stopper allows for direct brewing, making operation seamless and maintaining the integrity and flavor of your beverage.

●High-Quality Vacuum Insulation: Keep beverages hot or cold for hours without electricity. This feature is crucial for maintaining your beverages’ optimal temperature and taste, ensuring guest satisfaction with every cup.

●Easy-to-Use Smooth Pump Mechanism: The smooth pump mechanism on the Air Pot® Beverage Dispenser ensures simple dispensing, allowing guests or staff to serve themselves effortlessly, enhancing the overall user experience.

●Removable Lid for Easy Filling and Cleaning: A detachable lid facilitates easy filling and simplifies the cleaning process, ensuring that hygiene and convenience are always prioritized.

●Swivel Base for Easy Access: Including a swivel base allows for effortless rotation, offering convenient access from any direction and enhancing the service efficiency and guest experience.

●NSF Certified: Meeting the highest safety and sanitation standards, the Air Pot® Beverage Dispenser is NSF certified, assuring compliance with critical health regulations.

Commitment to the Commercial Sector

Zojirushi Commercial Products are crafted with an unwavering commitment to durability and performance and are designed to endure rigorous daily use in an industrial setting. Our supply backs our reputation as a top-quality food service equipment manufacturer to various industry-leading brewer manufacturers, coffee roasters, hotels, restaurants, and other chains.

We’d love to hear from our professional culinary community. How have our commercial Air Pot® Beverage Dispensers impacted your business or beverage program? Share your experiences and thoughts with us on Facebook and Instagram. #Zojirushi #ZoFan

*Heat retention ratings are based on water at a starting temperature of 203°F (95°C) at a room temperature of 68°F (20°C).

Bert-san’s Kitchen Hacks

Posted on April 3, 2024 by Bert Tanimoto

What are these? They’re miso balls! Huh? Did you know you could pre-make these little guys and store them in the fridge for a week, or freeze them even longer than that? Wrap them in plastic wrap and yes, miso keeps very well.

To make these, get your ingredients together (dehydrated ones work best) and mix together. Here the ingredients you see are dried wakame (seaweed), fu (a dried wheat gluten) and freeze dried green onions, plus some fresh green onion. BTW, that dried mixture came in a bag that you can buy at a Japanese market! (I never knew dehydrated miso soup ingredients like this existed)Form the miso ball in 1 Tbsp sizes. If you freeze the miso mix for about 10 minutes to firm it up, it might help to make it easier to shape. Then use plastic wrap to store in your fridge for a week, or even better, store in your freezer and it’ll keep for up to three months. One thing about miso, it doesn’t freeze solid so you don’t have to thaw it ahead of time to use it. This makes these miso balls perfect for meal prepping for a week of lunches.

To use your miso ball, just add 200ml (little over 3/4 cup) of hot water, which is just about one full soup bowl. Boom! One serving of REAL miso soup instantly.

It also happens to be the exact capacity of the soup container that comes with your Zojirushi Lunch Jar, if you have one. So instead of bringing the hot soup with you (even though I know you can, in your Lunch Jar), why not add hot water to your miso ball and have it super-fresh?

Just in case you didn’t already know it, you should be aware that leftover rice makes the best fried rice, and leftover rice can be frozen and stored for a month. If you already plan to put away some of your rice after you’ve made a fresh pot, it’s best to put it in an airtight container immediately when it’s still hot, so the steam and moisture gets trapped inside and be there when you’re ready to thaw it in the microwave. No worries if you don’t though, just sprinkle some water on it before microwaving to bring back the moisture. At our house we simply use plastic bags to save space in the freezer.

What’s the best kind of fried rice? Bacon Fried Rice, of course!

Don’t use fresh rice to make fried rice. It’ll tend to get clumpy and not separate as well as it should, leaving areas of the rice not completely covered in the flavor you want. Plop a fried egg on it to make it Bacon Fried Rice á la Tanimoto.

Wait, ice cold drinks next to my Water Boiler? What’s up with that? Just bad photo composition?

Somebody’s got some ’splaining to do…

I know, we missed April Fools—but if you want to fake out your kids or even your adult friends with a clever gelatin trick, try these out. I just thought they were hilarious; plus, who doesn’t like gelatin desserts? (And yes, the ice cream is real)

Just use clear gelatin to get the “ice” for the tropical drink. An ice cube tray works for the mold and all you do is scoop it out. You’re going to have to “float” them and the fruits by partially hardening the gelatin halfway in the glass, then add more of the liquid on top and refrigerate again until the whole drink hardens. Be sure to let the new liquid cool before adding it—you don’t want to melt what’s already in the glass. I used pineapple gelatin mix. By the way, it’s much easier to make something like this if you have a water boiler; the hot water is always ready.

OK, that seems easy. And the orange juice is just gelatin mixed into real O.J.; yeah, I get it. But how did he make those beers?? And the foam?

1. Make apple juice gelatin first, then whip it up to get the foam to appear.

2. Pour the juice carefully into a glass or cup and leave the foam.

3. Spoon the foam onto the top of your “beer” gelatin, then refrigerate.

4. After it hardens, your beer gelatin is ready to fool your friends!

Be sure to account for added sweetener when making gelatin from natural apple or orange juice. You can sweeten the gelatin ice cubes as well, if you want.

Cheers! ¡Salud! Kampai! Serve with a spoon!

Products used in this post: Gourmet d’ Expert® Electric Skillet EP-PBC10, Micom Water Boiler & Warmer CD-LFC30, Mr. Bento® Stainless Lunch Jar SL-JBE14

Please note that these recipes were not tested by Zojirushi America.

A Pivotal Moment in Zojirushi History: The Hanagumo Electric Rice Warmer

Posted on March 21, 2024 by Zojirushi America Corporation

Zojirushi’s long history of innovating dates back to our founding in Japan in 1918 with the manufacturing of glass-lined vacuum bottles – a breakthrough technology at the time. From that point forward, we were dedicated to creating new products and home appliances that make life more comfortable and convenient. And as Zo fans of today know, our approach to rice cooking is no exception.

The Evolution of Rice Warmth: A Historical Perspective Pre-Zojirushi
Before the advent of Zojirushi’s innovative solutions, warm rice was a luxury, often a challenge to keep fresh unless freshly cooked. People traditionally relied on “ohitsu” or straw baskets, and in the sweltering summer heat, a bamboo container called “meshi-ikaki” was essential to preserve the rice without spoilage.

The revolutionary Zojirushi elephant jar, however, changed everything. It addressed the common struggle of keeping rice warm, especially for families where late working hours were the norm. This breakthrough marked a significant shift in Japanese household convenience, setting the stage for the iconic Hanagumo Electric Rice Warmer.

Introducing Hanagumo: the world’s first electric rice warmer

After years of working to perfect how rice is warmed and cooled through the thoughtful design of odor-eliminating vacuum-insulated rice jars, Zojirushi turned its attention to how electricity could make extended rice warming possible, without sacrificing taste. And thus, the world’s first electric rice warmer was invented.

The Hanagumo electric rice warmer hit the market in 1970, revolutionary for its ability to keep rice to 68°C to prevent the spread of bacteria. Its name, meaning flower cloud, and floral pattern quickly became recognizable across Japan – a symbol of life in “danchi” apartment buildings, where dining rooms and kitchens are integrated.

Powering a movement in history

The Zojirushi rice warmer’s popularity boomed throughout the mid 1970s, as industrialization and urbanization made dual-income households a societal mainstay. With more married couples headed to work, technology that could deliver added convenience and reduce household chores were in high demand, and the electric rice warmer joined the ranks of vacuums, washing machines, and refrigerators as home appliances making a new way of life possible.

By making at-home food preparation easier and less time consuming for working families, the rice warmer found itself at the center of a pivotal time in history. The UN declared 1975 the International Women’s Year, and the decade that followed represented a global movement for gender equality. During this period, women across the globe pursued opportunities for academic, social and career advancement outside the home, fueled by innovation that empowered then to use their time more freely than ever before.

Thus, home appliances like the Hanagumo Electric Rice Warmer that reduced the burden of domestic labor remained in high demand during this period, and ultimately inspired Zojirushi’s next great innovation: the electric rice cooker.

Becoming Japan’s leading electric kitchen appliance manufacturer

Looking back at this pivotal chapter in our history, the Hanagumo marks an important milestone. It was the debut and popularity of this groundbreaking rice warmer that earned Zojirushi its place as one of Japan’s leading electric kitchen appliance manufacturers – a position we are proud to maintain today.

Where is the Hanagumo today?

Zojirushi will never stop innovating when it comes to rice cooking, with a lineup of electric rice cookers and warmers that takes inspiration from our very first model. Does your family have a vintage Hanagumo, or a story to share about your first Zojirushi rice warmer? Share with us on social media and help us celebrate where our journey began #ZojirushiHistory