The craft beer industry’s love affair with hops is alienating people who don’t like bitter brews.
Food & Drink
Steakcraft: Lessons and Observations From a Year in Steak
La Maison du Whisky
The Archeology of Beer
“Dogfish Head’s ancient, hybrid brews embody a past before ale and wine became separate categories.”
A Different Kind of Pizza Hut
Pizza Hut in China is very different than the American version. The restaurant itself is much nicer, encouraging you to sit-down and enjoy a higher-end experience. While I was in Shanghai, I managed to walk by one, though sadly, not be able to dine there – I’m not tempted by Pizza Hut in the US. For an idea of the difference, check out this video:
That said, I also stumbled across some fun differences in their menu. Some very interesting differences. Here are some menu items that you don’t see here in the States:
- Seafood Supreme (Thousand Island Sauce) Pizza
- Portuguese Chicken Rice
- Bacon Penne with Truffle Parsley Sauce
- Baked Vegetables in Portuguese Sauce
- Mashed Potato with Bacon in White Sauce
- French Style Escargots with Mashed Potato
- Thousand Island Seafood Con Carne
- Snack platters that include chicken wings, waffle fries, mini-sausages and baby back ribs
I also love that the delivery people in their advertising can shoot fire from their hands. That’s a great way to keep the pizza warm on its way from the restaurant.
The Chinese Oreo
Any foreign company that comes to China and says, ‘There’s 1 1/2 billion people here, goody goody, and I only need 1 percent of that’ … [is] going to get into trouble. You have to understand how the consumer operates at a really detailed level.
Lorna Davis, Global Biscuits Category Head at Kraft
Planet Money’s piece Rethinking The Oreo For Chinese Consumers provides an interesting view into the experience of one of the best known American brands stumbling, recovering and then dominating it’s market in China. It’s a fun read.