Latest news with #MandS
The Guardian
40 minutes ago
- Business
- The Guardian
From mochi ice cream to strawberry sandos, Japanese sweet treats are tickling UK tastebuds
If you said to a friend that you fancied Japanese food this weekend, they might be forgiven for thinking you meant sushi. But lately a new culinary export from Japan is catching up with fish and rice in the hearts and tastebuds of British foodies. Soft, sweet and full of character, Japanese-style desserts – from mochi ice cream to matcha cookies – have been steadily gaining ground on UK shelves. Such is their popularity, M&S has launched its own take on the strawberry sando, a Japanese convenience store favourite, a sandwich made with soft milk bread, whipped cream and neatly layered fruit. According to some industry commentators, British retailers are taking note of consumers' growing appetite for 'joyful' sweet treats as a simple pleasure to brighten their days. 'We're seeing people turn to food as an antidote to life's uncertainties – they're looking for small, joyful indulgences that feel novel, premium and culturally rich,' said Charles Banks, a co-founder of The Food People, a UK-based food trends consultancy. 'Japanese sweets … bring playful formats, surprising textures and beautifully balanced flavours that tap into this mood perfectly. Add in TikTok's power to visually amplify the unfamiliar and suddenly these once niche delights are must-haves.' At Ocado, searches for mochi are up 96.2% year on year, while searches for 'Japanese' have risen by more than a third over the same period. Yuki Gomi, a Japanese chef and food writer, said it was wonderful to see the trend, even if it reflected only a slice of Japan's 'rich sweets culture', where desserts are 'cute, comforting and often tied to the seasons'. She said the appeal of these sweets lay not just in their flavour but in their texture and 'in mouth-feel'. 'Japanese sweets are often lighter and less sugary than their western equivalents, and there's real joy in the textures – soft and creamy mochi ice cream, airy sponge, the crisp snap of Pocky.' It's that sensory experience – along with the playful fusion of Japanese flavours and sweet treats already familiar to UK shoppers – that helps explain why more of these snacks are now landing on British supermarket shelves. 'Quite often, the sweets are given a Japanese twist – maybe a hint of matcha, yuzu or kinako. A familiar treat, with a fresh Japanese flavour,' she said. Sign up to Feast Recipes from all our star cooks, seasonal eating ideas and restaurant reviews. Get our best food writing every week after newsletter promotion On TikTok, the hashtag #mochi has more than 1.4m posts, #matchacookies has 10,500, and videos of Japanese cheesecakes have racked up hundreds of thousands of views. Online food trends don't just shape what people eat, they influence what people are willing to try, as social feeds become a source of inspiration and discovery, said Seyi Oduwole, a foresight analyst at The Future Laboratory. 'As seen with the viral Dubai chocolate craze, today's consumers want to be part of the online conversation, craving connection through texture, cultural heritage and bold, shareable visuals. We're particularly seeing the rise of global flavours, third-culture cuisine, and consumers adopting a 'try anything' attitude.' These foreign food trends and adoptions of cuisines should be seen as a natural expression of a truly globalised world, said the gourmet tour operator and cookbook author Roberta Muir. She said we should expect more fusions, fun interpretations and internationally inspired snacks to continue cropping up on supermarket shelves. 'As the world becomes smaller and people increasingly travel from one corner of it to another, it's natural they bring home a taste for the new flavours they've discovered.'
BBC News
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
M&S strawberries and cream sandwich: Japanese fruit sando hits high streets
Strawberries and cream – an iconic British combo since the 1800s. But do they belong together in a sandwich?M&S has rolled out a limited-edition strawberries and cream sandwich, made with strawberries, whipped cream cheese and sweetened bread, which it says is inspired by the "viral Japanese fruit sando". The supermarket chain says it was its top-selling sandwich the two days after its sandwiches are available at some Japanese bakeries in the UK, but M&S's offering appears to be the first time they have been widely available on supermarket idea of serving fruit in a sandwich might sound unusual but it's nothing new in Japan. Known as "furutsu sando", they became popular after Japanese fruit shops opened parlours selling desserts for customers to sample their recently became sought-after around the world after going viral on social media, with Western tourists on TikTok scrambling to get their hands on the version sold in Japanese convenience store chain 7-Eleven. Fruit sandwiches are typically made of sweetened, soft, spongy white bread filled with whipped cream and fruit, typically strawberries or clementine, says Shuko Oda, chef at Koya restaurant in London. They're usually cut into triangles so that the fruit is on display."It looks quite pretty," Shuko says, adding that the sandwiches are a "fun play on texture".Some people in Japan make them at home, but they're more commonly bought from convenience stores, food halls or dedicated fruit sando stores, she says. People often enjoy them as a snack with tea or coffee or served on a plate alongside savoury sandwiches. In the UK, it's not as uncommon as you might think to pair fruit with slices of bread for a sandwich. Think of banana sandwiches, served with the fruit sliced or mashed, or the nostalgia of childhood jam sandwiches. Coronation chicken sandwiches are made with dried apricots or sultanas, is a sandwich, at its core? Does it have to be savoury? And does it have to even be made with typical wheat bread - take the jibarito, for example, which is made with fried plantain instead. What about Scandinavian open sandwiches? And if they count as sandwiches, then what about French toast topped with fruit and sauce? The Oxford English Dictionary says sandwiches are made of two thin slices of bread, usually buttered, "with a savoury… or other filling". Though humans have been making bread for thousands of years, the sandwich as we know it today is said to owe its popularity to John Montagu, the fourth Earl of Sandwich. The story goes that he asked his staff to bring him meat between two slices of bread so he could continue playing cards without stopping to of the sandwiches we eat in the UK would raise eyebrows around the world. Take crisp sarnies, coronation chicken sandwiches, or the humble chip butty. But if you're feeling inspired by Japan's strawberry sandos and want to up your sandwich game, here are some more sandwiches from around the world. Bánh mì Bánh mì is a Vietnamese sandwich served in a baguette, typically filled with meat, pate, pickles and spicy sauces. It's usually eaten for breakfast. BBC Food has a recipe made with sweet and spicy pork belly and chilli sauce. Croque monsieur Croque monsieur is a French sandwich served hot with gooey, melted cheese. It's made with white sauce, cheese, ham and mustard, cooked under the grill. To mix it up, served with a fried egg on top and - voila - you have a croque madame. Po' boy A po' boy, which comes from "poor boy", is a New Orleans street food sandwich that celebrates Louisiana's seafood. A huge variety of fillings are available, but the most popular include fried shrimp, crab or lobster nestled among lettuce, remoulade and pickles. BBC Food has a simplified version you can make at home more easily using frozen scampi. Arepa Rather than using bread made from typical wheat flour, arepas are made using corn flour. They're also popular in Colombia, but it's Venezuela where they're most often made into sandwiches. One popular filling is Reina Pepiada, which combines chicken, avocado and coriander. Spaghetti or noodle sandwiches We're no strangers to doubling up on carbs in the UK - and the Australian spaghetti jaffle draws on the same principle. It is made by serving leftover spaghetti in tomato sauce inside a toastie. At convenience stores across Japan, you can also pick up a yakisoba pan - noodles served in a hot dog bun. Francesinha Francesinha, a Portuguese sandwich originating in Porto, is a cheese and meat lover's heaven. The impressive structure is made by filling a lightly toasted bread with a steak, sausage, cheese and ham. More cheese is then placed on top, and the whole sandwich is typically baked in the oven until the cheese melts and then served with an egg on top. A spicy sauce made with Port, beer and tomato is then poured over the whole thing. If that wasn't filling enough already, it's usually served with chips on the side. Additional reporting by Polly Weeks, BBC Food
The Sun
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
I tried the new M&S strawberry sandwich – it's delicious & different but you'll only buy it once
M&S has unveiled its first-ever dessert sandwich, the Red Diamond Strawberries & Creme Sandwich, and it's already causing a stir among food lovers. Priced at £2.80, this limited-edition sweet treat combines British summer nostalgia with a touch of Japanese culinary influence, but does it live up to expectations? 3 3 The sandwich is made using M&S's exclusive Collection British Red Diamond Strawberries, which are known for their sweetness and juiciness, paired with whipped cream cheese and crème fraîche. Inspired by Japan's viral cream-filled sandwiches, often spotted in trendy patisseries, M&S has reimagined the concept with a British twist, reminiscent of the iconic strawberries and cream served at Wimbledon. M&S has a long history of sandwich innovation, having introduced freshly made sandwiches in the 1920s and revolutionising the UK high street with pre-packed sandwiches in the 1980s. Since then, the retailer has sold over four billion sandwiches, making this latest launch a bold new addition to its portfolio. But is the dessert sandwich a summer sensation or simply a novelty? Fabulous reporter Leanne Hall decided to put the new creation to the test. 'This new addition to the M&S summer food collection is one you won't want to miss,' Leanne said. 'It seems the British retailer has taken inspiration from Japan's viral cream-filled sandwiches and Wimbledon's signature dish, strawberries and cream, to create the perfect summer snack. 'The concept may seem strange, but it works.' Leanne was initially sceptical about the cream filling, which combines soft cream cheese and crème fraîche, rather than the whipped cream traditionally used in Japanese fruit sandwiches. I've found the perfect summer top from M&S, and I'm even more excited now I can finally shop there online again 'I was hesitant at first,' she admitted, 'but the two worked well together. It had the luxurious texture of clotted cream, which added a richness to the sandwich.' The strawberries were the standout element. 'They were excellent - they had a great bite, weren't soggy, and were packed with flavour,' Leanne said. However, the bread proved to be divisive. 'While it did have a sweetness to it, the texture was too bready, and the crusts felt too hard for the soft filling,' she noted. Despite these minor drawbacks, Leanne believes the dessert sandwich is worth trying. 'For those who love a limited-edition treat - or even a Müller Corner strawberry yoghurt - this is worth a go, especially when enjoying the hot weather in the park.' M&S's strawberry sandwich is currently trending on TikTok as many foodies rush to the stores to get their hands on one. Some have praised it for being a great "sweet treat" however, others aren't too pleased that you "only receive half of one sandwich." Someone else stated that it was a "crazy thought to know that someone else in the UK currently has the other half to this sandwich." How to save on your supermarket shop THERE are plenty of ways to save on your grocery shop. You can look out for yellow or red stickers on products, which show when they've been reduced. If the food is fresh, you'll have to eat it quickly or freeze it for another time. Making a list should also save you money, as you'll be less likely to make any rash purchases when you get to the supermarket. Going own brand can be one easy way to save hundreds of pounds a year on your food bills too. This means ditching "finest" or "luxury" products and instead going for "own" or value" type of lines. Plenty of supermarkets run wonky veg and fruit schemes where you can get cheap prices if they're misshapen or imperfect. For example, Lidl runs its Waste Not scheme, offering boxes of 5kg of fruit and vegetables for just £1.50. If you're on a low income and a parent, you may be able to get up to £442 a year in Healthy Start vouchers to use at the supermarket too. Plus, many councils offer supermarket vouchers as part of the Household Support Fund.
The Independent
2 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
I just tried M&S's strawberry sandwich – but do I recommend it?
Whether it's a chicken caesar dip, a Dubai-inspired pistachio chocolate bar or premixed cocktail cans, M&S is responsible for plenty of viral food and drink trends. Now, the retail giant has debuted a sandwich reminiscent of a classic British dessert. The stalwart's new strawberries and cream sandwich nods to a signature Japanese sweet treat, known as a fruit sando. The popular snack usually includes fresh fruit, sliced white bread, and fresh whipped cream. The M&S take is made from sweetened brioche bread with the supermarket's famous red diamond strawberries, of which it sells more than 4 million punnets per year. M&S has always been at the forefront of sandwich innovation, having launched the first-ever pre-packed sandwich in the 1980s. Providing a sweet alternative to its cult savoury sandwiches, the £2.80 fruit sando arrived in aisles this week – but will it be a hit in the lunchtime rush? Whether you pack it in your picnic hamper, take it to watch Wimbledon or enjoy it as an afternoon pick-me-up in the office, the new dessert sandwich has landed just in time for summer. Here's everything you need to know, plus my taste test. How we tested I ran to the nearest M&S foodhall to grab the new red diamond strawberry and creme sandwich (it's already selling out across the UK). Considering taste, innovation and value for money, here's the IndyBest verdict.
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Daily Mirror
M&S's new 'not to be missed' sandwich with controversial filling divides foodies
MandS has launched a new sandwich with a controversial filling that has left shoppers divided, with some saying they are "passing" on the new lunch treat Marks & Spencer has sparked a heated debate among shoppers with its latest "not to be missed" sandwich, featuring a rather unconventional filling. The Strawberry and Creme sandwich, launched on Wednesday (June 25), consists of ripe strawberries and whipped cream cheese nestled between two slices of sweetened bread. According to M&S, this unique creation draws inspiration from Japanese "sweet sandos" or fruit sandwiches, which have been gaining popularity in London's trendy Japanese patisseries. M&S explained: "Inspired by the Japanese sweet sandos, recently spotted popping up in London's trendiest Japanese patisseries, our product developers have long dreamed of creating a dessert sandwich." The company added: "With our exclusive Red Diamond Strawberries at their juiciest best, the time has finally come to create the ultimate strawberries and creme experience." They envision the sandwich as a perfect treat for various summer occasions, from alfresco lunches to afternoon tea at home or a sweet pick-me-up, reports the Manchester Evening News. However, not all shoppers share M&S's enthusiasm for this novel sandwich. On the Facebook page Bargain Lovers and Deals, Debbie Lyle expressed her reservations: "I'll pass on that. In cake maybe, but not bread." Tanya Campbell-Gillies was more blunt, stating: "Gross. Surely it will make the bread soggy." Um Ahmad Hussain chimed in, saying: "It looks nice but I don't think it will taste nice." However, not everyone is convinced by the bread-based treat, with some suggesting that there are more suitable alternatives for this fruity snack. One customer, Marguerita Bryan, suggested: "Between slices of Victoria sponge would be better, not bread!" Another shopper, Tel Rose, chimed in with: "Should have been sandwiched in between two scone like pieces in the shape of while some shoppers say they will be avoiding the fruit-filled sandwich, others say they are eager to try the limited edition to MandS's Instagram post, blogger Vickie Neave wrote: ". Despite some customers expressing their intention to give the fruit-filled sandwich a miss, others are keen to sample the limited edition offering. Reacting to MandS's Instagram post, blogger Vickie Neave exclaimed: "Whaaaaattttt! ! ! ! I have not got time to be chasing around after this." Fellow blogger Faye Gooding was more enthusiastic, writing: "Oh my, this looks incredible." MandS has a long-standing reputation for sandwich making, having first sold freshly made sandwiches back in the 1920s before introducing pre-packed sandwiches in the 1980s. The retailer has since sold a staggering four billion sandwiches. The limited edition Red Diamond Strawberry and Creme sandwich can be snapped up in MandS food halls for £2.80.
