This is going to be a specially good week for chocolates and snacks. On September 8 following a surge of more healthy food trends, Mars will announce a set of nutritional improvements to it core chocolate range in the UK with benefits that will spread globally in due course.
The famous MARS bar along with Twix, Milky Way and Snickers(which is available here in Indonesia) will all become free of preservatives, flavourings and artificial colours.All these product packs will also feature clearer nutritional labelling with guidelines of daily amounts of calorie, salt,sugar and fat intakes.
Milky Way, Maltesers, MARS and twix will contain less than 100 calories each.
ASDA's bakery team has discovered the non-crumble cookie even when you dunk i9t into your coffee. It will retain its shape even after it hits any liquid you happen to be sipping, even hot chocolate.
It took nine months to develop this cookie from a combination of oats and honey.
Cadbury has brought back the "GORILLA" and "TRUCKS" which were absolutely delightful in a 17million English Pounds campaign breaking on 5th September.The ads promote Cadbury's big claim of "Glass and a Half Full Production". You can view these great ads at www.aglassandahalffullpromotions.com.
Sunday, 7 September 2008
THE BIG ARCHEPELAGO FAMILY
I have been jostling to put Indonesia and particularly Java on the professional chocolate map in my Blogs.I am pleased it has evoked some interest. Several readers have mailed me to tell more about Indonesia. "What's the country really like?" What they mean is, tell us something about the romance and spirit of your country that the Internet can't.
The most amazing thing about Indonesia, which even as an Indonesian I can never cease to marvel at,is its spirit of family. It reflects in its geography. Imagine 1700 scattered islands that lie between the Indian and Pacific oceans now calls itself one big Indonesian family. Admittedly in the 63 years of independence, there have been a few(indeed less than you can count on one hand)problems of integration. Indonesia now is the biggest knit family of islands in the world. The area in length stretches as far as from San Francisco to the Bahamas. And almost equally as broad.
The family spirit transcends the 24different ethnic groups and some 700 dialects. My wife's grandmother from Central Java speaks no Indonesian nor English(the second language in most schools). I don't speak her dialect which is Javanese(which is derived from Sanskrit). However family feelings prevail and she thinks that I am a jolly good sort of fellow.
Togetherness and family loyalty seems to be inbred into our psyche. Land at our airport. It is called Sukarno-Hatta International Airport. It is named after the first President and Vice President of Indonesia. One was demagogue. The other a quiet scholarly man. A very unlikely pair as you can find. Yet together, forever in all probability.
If you arrive on a Sunday, you see immediately, motorcycles carrying entire families whizzing around, taking the air or simply going for a spin. On a single motorcycle is not unusual to find father(the driver) mother, one child in front and two between father and mother. Perhaps even grandma behind mother deftly balanced on the licence plate.
The motorcycle is transportation during weekdays and family vehicle during weekends. The more affluent cram entire families into the APVs and take of to the mountains, 3 hours away or to the malls around almost every corner in the bigger cities. The humbler use bicycles for the same purpose. If I attempt to describe their weekend use I fear you may not believe me.
At weekends it is delightful to watch Indonesian families at lunch in restaurants. Tables are hastily joined together by the waiters and the family of a dozen of so take their places. Grandpa and grandma have the places of honour. The children are send to the restaurant play area(almost all family restaurants have a play area)to go completely berserk.
In a family it is also fascinating to see the differences between members. There will one or two devout Muslims with head scarfs,a "punk" rocker with Mohawk haircut dyed brilliantly pink, a serious fellow who could be an investment manager at Goldman Sachs, a stunningly pretty mother, a teenage son carefully modelled after Harry Potter and a teenage daughter examining her split ends with concern.
The "chief organiser" an efficient faced woman determines what goes to whom. She decides who get the last fried prawn, who should eat more greens and who should stay away from the fried potato patties.Her husband,obviously a civil servant, with years of practice to his credit,passes out the dishes. A most diverse group but undoubtedly one happy family.
When they begin to dine some eat elegantly with their fingers and other daintily with cutlery. The table is laden with food.They eat heartily and appreciatively. Obesity is not yet a problem in Indonesia but there is concern about it.
When they finish and pass my family of four at our table, they smile kindly, sympathising at our sparsely laden table and tiny nuclear family.We smile and nod back not without some envy.
We spoil our children no end. We allow then to stay up late. Let them watch Disney channel and Cartoon Network whenever they wish. They shout, they scream their guts out.
When they grow up we send them off to universities in the USA or Australia and sit back with relief and fan ourselves. They come back and look after us. Pile us in their shiny new APVs and take us to the mountains and treat us to lavish meals for the rest of our lives. There is no talk about old aged homes, ever.
In spite of their riotous behaviour at home our children behave almost impeccably in school. Schools are usually very peaceful places and envied by teachers from other countries.Everything goes nice and orderly by the bell.
Indonesia, you must have often heard is 80% Muslim. The rest of the population of some 240 million, are Christian, Buddhist, Hindu and others.However it a secular country. Every Friday the mosques fill and their prayers reverberate throughout the 17,000 islands. A Christian like myself has the comforting feeling of being surrounded by prayers. On Sunday the churches are packed and if you are a little late there is only standing space at the back.
There are undoubtedly differences of opinion but more often than not the one family spirit prevails. We are now in the Holy month of Ramadan, when Muslim fast from sunrise and there is much getting together of the people of different faiths to break the fast at sunset. The church I attend even lays out a break-the-fast buffet in their grounds and invites the neighbourhood.
The economic powerhouse of the country, are the small household industries. They are very much family businesses. Father, mother aunt and cousins pitch together to make everything from jewellery to clothes. Other family type businesses run hair salons,tiny neighbourhood shops,sofa-cleaning,electrical and plumbing services. Some are in the entertainment business, providing clowns,rock bands and surprising good jazz bands and magicians for birthday and wedding parties.Or to entertain the district head when he visits.
By far the mast active family industry is food. Which is not surprising because every known spice and herb grows in this archipelago. There there are as many recipes as there are entrepreneurs.It is estimated that about 60% of the population has some connection to the food industry. If you are visiting, this is instantly visible. Streets abound with restaurants of all sizes and kinds, cafes,push carts and tents.Each one runs busily on the energy of the whole family.
For a fact I know, from a data base, some 16,000 families in Java's main cities work with food involving chocolate.They are contributing in making chocolate the most favoured and fastest growing flavour in Indonesia.
It was this family power that made the country resilient during the Asian Economic Crisis. The people's cash value suffered but their cash flow kept above the troubled waters.To keep this industry powered, cash to the tune of about $40million per year flows in from Indonesians working abroad as nannies,maids, construction workers and others, to their families mainly in the villages and rural areas.
Nationwide everyone calls each other"brother" or "sister".Drive into a gas station and the attendant calls you "Abang"(Older brother)In a restaurnat you hail the waiter with "Mas"( brother).When you come across someone older, who you address gently either as "Pa" or "Bu".You may safely call a girl,"Mbak"(sister).If you are in trouble, help is spontaneous, no questions asked.Indonesians are very generous to each other.Needs are quickly covered with cash or food.
It stands to reason that if you are good to your own family, you are also kind to visitors. Tourists love the islands of Indonesia because they are indeed cared for and treated almost as much as we do for members of our own family. But you must expect some reserve. We are still quite shy and in awe of foreigners who tend to speak louder than we do.
The most amazing thing about Indonesia, which even as an Indonesian I can never cease to marvel at,is its spirit of family. It reflects in its geography. Imagine 1700 scattered islands that lie between the Indian and Pacific oceans now calls itself one big Indonesian family. Admittedly in the 63 years of independence, there have been a few(indeed less than you can count on one hand)problems of integration. Indonesia now is the biggest knit family of islands in the world. The area in length stretches as far as from San Francisco to the Bahamas. And almost equally as broad.
The family spirit transcends the 24different ethnic groups and some 700 dialects. My wife's grandmother from Central Java speaks no Indonesian nor English(the second language in most schools). I don't speak her dialect which is Javanese(which is derived from Sanskrit). However family feelings prevail and she thinks that I am a jolly good sort of fellow.
Togetherness and family loyalty seems to be inbred into our psyche. Land at our airport. It is called Sukarno-Hatta International Airport. It is named after the first President and Vice President of Indonesia. One was demagogue. The other a quiet scholarly man. A very unlikely pair as you can find. Yet together, forever in all probability.
If you arrive on a Sunday, you see immediately, motorcycles carrying entire families whizzing around, taking the air or simply going for a spin. On a single motorcycle is not unusual to find father(the driver) mother, one child in front and two between father and mother. Perhaps even grandma behind mother deftly balanced on the licence plate.
The motorcycle is transportation during weekdays and family vehicle during weekends. The more affluent cram entire families into the APVs and take of to the mountains, 3 hours away or to the malls around almost every corner in the bigger cities. The humbler use bicycles for the same purpose. If I attempt to describe their weekend use I fear you may not believe me.
At weekends it is delightful to watch Indonesian families at lunch in restaurants. Tables are hastily joined together by the waiters and the family of a dozen of so take their places. Grandpa and grandma have the places of honour. The children are send to the restaurant play area(almost all family restaurants have a play area)to go completely berserk.
In a family it is also fascinating to see the differences between members. There will one or two devout Muslims with head scarfs,a "punk" rocker with Mohawk haircut dyed brilliantly pink, a serious fellow who could be an investment manager at Goldman Sachs, a stunningly pretty mother, a teenage son carefully modelled after Harry Potter and a teenage daughter examining her split ends with concern.
The "chief organiser" an efficient faced woman determines what goes to whom. She decides who get the last fried prawn, who should eat more greens and who should stay away from the fried potato patties.Her husband,obviously a civil servant, with years of practice to his credit,passes out the dishes. A most diverse group but undoubtedly one happy family.
When they begin to dine some eat elegantly with their fingers and other daintily with cutlery. The table is laden with food.They eat heartily and appreciatively. Obesity is not yet a problem in Indonesia but there is concern about it.
When they finish and pass my family of four at our table, they smile kindly, sympathising at our sparsely laden table and tiny nuclear family.We smile and nod back not without some envy.
We spoil our children no end. We allow then to stay up late. Let them watch Disney channel and Cartoon Network whenever they wish. They shout, they scream their guts out.
When they grow up we send them off to universities in the USA or Australia and sit back with relief and fan ourselves. They come back and look after us. Pile us in their shiny new APVs and take us to the mountains and treat us to lavish meals for the rest of our lives. There is no talk about old aged homes, ever.
In spite of their riotous behaviour at home our children behave almost impeccably in school. Schools are usually very peaceful places and envied by teachers from other countries.Everything goes nice and orderly by the bell.
Indonesia, you must have often heard is 80% Muslim. The rest of the population of some 240 million, are Christian, Buddhist, Hindu and others.However it a secular country. Every Friday the mosques fill and their prayers reverberate throughout the 17,000 islands. A Christian like myself has the comforting feeling of being surrounded by prayers. On Sunday the churches are packed and if you are a little late there is only standing space at the back.
There are undoubtedly differences of opinion but more often than not the one family spirit prevails. We are now in the Holy month of Ramadan, when Muslim fast from sunrise and there is much getting together of the people of different faiths to break the fast at sunset. The church I attend even lays out a break-the-fast buffet in their grounds and invites the neighbourhood.
The economic powerhouse of the country, are the small household industries. They are very much family businesses. Father, mother aunt and cousins pitch together to make everything from jewellery to clothes. Other family type businesses run hair salons,tiny neighbourhood shops,sofa-cleaning,electrical and plumbing services. Some are in the entertainment business, providing clowns,rock bands and surprising good jazz bands and magicians for birthday and wedding parties.Or to entertain the district head when he visits.
By far the mast active family industry is food. Which is not surprising because every known spice and herb grows in this archipelago. There there are as many recipes as there are entrepreneurs.It is estimated that about 60% of the population has some connection to the food industry. If you are visiting, this is instantly visible. Streets abound with restaurants of all sizes and kinds, cafes,push carts and tents.Each one runs busily on the energy of the whole family.
For a fact I know, from a data base, some 16,000 families in Java's main cities work with food involving chocolate.They are contributing in making chocolate the most favoured and fastest growing flavour in Indonesia.
It was this family power that made the country resilient during the Asian Economic Crisis. The people's cash value suffered but their cash flow kept above the troubled waters.To keep this industry powered, cash to the tune of about $40million per year flows in from Indonesians working abroad as nannies,maids, construction workers and others, to their families mainly in the villages and rural areas.
Nationwide everyone calls each other"brother" or "sister".Drive into a gas station and the attendant calls you "Abang"(Older brother)In a restaurnat you hail the waiter with "Mas"( brother).When you come across someone older, who you address gently either as "Pa" or "Bu".You may safely call a girl,"Mbak"(sister).If you are in trouble, help is spontaneous, no questions asked.Indonesians are very generous to each other.Needs are quickly covered with cash or food.
It stands to reason that if you are good to your own family, you are also kind to visitors. Tourists love the islands of Indonesia because they are indeed cared for and treated almost as much as we do for members of our own family. But you must expect some reserve. We are still quite shy and in awe of foreigners who tend to speak louder than we do.
Friday, 5 September 2008
COCOA FROM SUMATRA
You hear very little about Sumatra at cocktail parties. Yet there is enough on this island to replenish thousands of cocktail parties.
Sumatra is the largest and northern most of Indonesia's 17,000 islands. It resembles the head of a crocodile, lying in wait at the edge of the Indian ocean to devour the Malay Peninsula.
Sumatra is 470,000square kilometers and 1,790 Kim long.That makes it the sixth largest island in the world. It is inhabited by 45 million people.It it also home to 201 mammals and 580 bird species. Interesting residents include the Sumatran Tiger,Sumatran Rhinoceros,the Sumatran Elephant and the Sumatran Orang Utan.
It is separated from Java by the mysterious sounding Sunda Straits home once home of Krakatoa which blasted itself out of existence with shock waves that reached as far as the Californian coast.Another valcano rose from this spot. It is called "Anak Krakatoa" or the "Child of Karkatoa"
Its backbone of mountains reaching from far south to far north peak at some 3800 meters above sea level. This peak is an active volcano.
Sumatra was first populated in 500BC by Austronesian speaking people. In a remarkable short space of history it soon became a maritime power and even a reputed centre of learning. In 671, the Chinese Philosopher I-Ching studied Sanskrit here before sailing on to India. It was once know as "Swamadwipe", which translates as "Island of Gold".
On 26th December a 15 meter high Tsunami devastated the north of the island, Acheh.
Sumatra abounds with so many thrilling names that seem todrop out of the pages of Conrad's novels: Jambi, Palembang, Bengkulu, Pekanbaru, Lampung, Martapura, Manna, Peatangsiantar. The island is divided into half by the equator on which sits a town called Sangkalan. Of which little is known. But obviously a lot can be made of, for at least fifty or so cocktail parties.
This island provides Starbucks with a prized coffee. Which Starbucks describes as "full, syrupy body, intense and spicy, herbal with almost no acidity."
Of importance of some readers of my Blog, from Europe and the United States, Sumatra provides the world with a fine, small amount of cocoa(about 60,000 tons) from 64,000 ha of planted area, largely owned by small holders. Most of the cocoa is grown north of the island. Unlike Sulawesi, beans from Sumatra are processed.
If Geography is flavour, Sumatra beans are exotic,languorously spicy, herbal, with a strong sense of being related to Sumatra's famous coffee.Its aroma teases.It would make some very sensual pralines.Well worth an artisan's touch.
Sumatra is the largest and northern most of Indonesia's 17,000 islands. It resembles the head of a crocodile, lying in wait at the edge of the Indian ocean to devour the Malay Peninsula.
Sumatra is 470,000square kilometers and 1,790 Kim long.That makes it the sixth largest island in the world. It is inhabited by 45 million people.It it also home to 201 mammals and 580 bird species. Interesting residents include the Sumatran Tiger,Sumatran Rhinoceros,the Sumatran Elephant and the Sumatran Orang Utan.
It is separated from Java by the mysterious sounding Sunda Straits home once home of Krakatoa which blasted itself out of existence with shock waves that reached as far as the Californian coast.Another valcano rose from this spot. It is called "Anak Krakatoa" or the "Child of Karkatoa"
Its backbone of mountains reaching from far south to far north peak at some 3800 meters above sea level. This peak is an active volcano.
Sumatra was first populated in 500BC by Austronesian speaking people. In a remarkable short space of history it soon became a maritime power and even a reputed centre of learning. In 671, the Chinese Philosopher I-Ching studied Sanskrit here before sailing on to India. It was once know as "Swamadwipe", which translates as "Island of Gold".
On 26th December a 15 meter high Tsunami devastated the north of the island, Acheh.
Sumatra abounds with so many thrilling names that seem todrop out of the pages of Conrad's novels: Jambi, Palembang, Bengkulu, Pekanbaru, Lampung, Martapura, Manna, Peatangsiantar. The island is divided into half by the equator on which sits a town called Sangkalan. Of which little is known. But obviously a lot can be made of, for at least fifty or so cocktail parties.
This island provides Starbucks with a prized coffee. Which Starbucks describes as "full, syrupy body, intense and spicy, herbal with almost no acidity."
Of importance of some readers of my Blog, from Europe and the United States, Sumatra provides the world with a fine, small amount of cocoa(about 60,000 tons) from 64,000 ha of planted area, largely owned by small holders. Most of the cocoa is grown north of the island. Unlike Sulawesi, beans from Sumatra are processed.
If Geography is flavour, Sumatra beans are exotic,languorously spicy, herbal, with a strong sense of being related to Sumatra's famous coffee.Its aroma teases.It would make some very sensual pralines.Well worth an artisan's touch.
Wednesday, 3 September 2008
IT'S GOT A NICE FEELING ABOUT IT.
We chocoholics are sensitive people. Especially to things that have a good feeling about it. For this reason we call two happenings this week, Chocolate Diplomacy. A pleasant surprise, a relaxing sigh and a good after taste.
Today French President Nicolas Sarkozy flies to Damascus to shake hands with Syrian President Bashar Assad with the wonderful intention of restoring relations.France currently being head of the European Union, this meeting is certainly significant.
Chocoholics appreciate any peacemaking. Damascus is a unique city. Founded around 6000BC is the longest inhabited city in the world. It has a relatively small population of 1.67million and more than 10 confectionery , chocolate and chewing gum manufacturers. The largest manufacturer is probably Swareen Chocolates. Their chocolate products are found in Europe, Middle East and Asia.
On Friday Condeleeza Rice will shake hands with Libyan President Muammar Gaddafi. What a pleasant surprise. Unfortunately she will miss the Libyan Chocolate, Coffee, Tea Trade Fair to be held later this year. Probably this is a great chance for Hersheys and Mars to participate in the Fair and spread the pleasant after taste still further and strengthen the bonds. By December Rice will be back at the University and George Bush back at the ranch.
Naturally I searched for chocolate manufacturers in Libya. Unfortunately while there are importers, there doesn't seem to be any anyone manufacturing chocolate.
There is a dubious link with chocolate and Libya. Ronald Dahl, the writer of "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory". Dahl crashed into the Libyan desert in I940, when he was a RAF fighter pilot. Fortunately he survived to write our book.
Today French President Nicolas Sarkozy flies to Damascus to shake hands with Syrian President Bashar Assad with the wonderful intention of restoring relations.France currently being head of the European Union, this meeting is certainly significant.
Chocoholics appreciate any peacemaking. Damascus is a unique city. Founded around 6000BC is the longest inhabited city in the world. It has a relatively small population of 1.67million and more than 10 confectionery , chocolate and chewing gum manufacturers. The largest manufacturer is probably Swareen Chocolates. Their chocolate products are found in Europe, Middle East and Asia.
On Friday Condeleeza Rice will shake hands with Libyan President Muammar Gaddafi. What a pleasant surprise. Unfortunately she will miss the Libyan Chocolate, Coffee, Tea Trade Fair to be held later this year. Probably this is a great chance for Hersheys and Mars to participate in the Fair and spread the pleasant after taste still further and strengthen the bonds. By December Rice will be back at the University and George Bush back at the ranch.
Naturally I searched for chocolate manufacturers in Libya. Unfortunately while there are importers, there doesn't seem to be any anyone manufacturing chocolate.
There is a dubious link with chocolate and Libya. Ronald Dahl, the writer of "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory". Dahl crashed into the Libyan desert in I940, when he was a RAF fighter pilot. Fortunately he survived to write our book.
Monday, 1 September 2008
BELGIAN CHOCOLATE.
Isn't it quite amazing that we chocoholics here in Indonesian actually know very little about Belgium and Belgian Chocolate. Particularly since we have been told by people whose opinions we respect and by chocolatiers who have come this way that Belgian chocolates are the best in the world.
I have actually never disputed it being a person who likes to give the benefit of the doubt to authoritative people.My curiosity was tickled when I heard of Bernard van der Haegen. This gentlemen, a Belgian, actually has brought Belgian Chocolates to Mongolia! He has brought the art of making Belgian style chocolate, truffles, pralines and tablets to Ulan Bator.What missionary zeal!
Then I when I was browsing through Patricia Schultz's "1000 places you should visit before you die" I discovered that the lady recommends that I visit Mary's. Mary's is of course a chocolatier in Belgium. "It looks like a refined jeweller"' says Schultz.
Mary"s supplies the royal court of Belgium with their chocolates. The chocolates which begins from $35 a kilogram are probably what Frederick Shilling was referring to;" You can deprive the body but the soul needs chocolate."
Belgium to me was till recently a place where Europeans, historically, have used as a battleground. I suspect it still is, for it houses the European Parliament and NATO.I am gratified to learn that it produces over 170,000 tons of handmade chocolate a year from some 2000 establishments. WOW! What a paradise!
I am told that Belgian fritters are also famous.
I have actually never disputed it being a person who likes to give the benefit of the doubt to authoritative people.My curiosity was tickled when I heard of Bernard van der Haegen. This gentlemen, a Belgian, actually has brought Belgian Chocolates to Mongolia! He has brought the art of making Belgian style chocolate, truffles, pralines and tablets to Ulan Bator.What missionary zeal!
Then I when I was browsing through Patricia Schultz's "1000 places you should visit before you die" I discovered that the lady recommends that I visit Mary's. Mary's is of course a chocolatier in Belgium. "It looks like a refined jeweller"' says Schultz.
Mary"s supplies the royal court of Belgium with their chocolates. The chocolates which begins from $35 a kilogram are probably what Frederick Shilling was referring to;" You can deprive the body but the soul needs chocolate."
Belgium to me was till recently a place where Europeans, historically, have used as a battleground. I suspect it still is, for it houses the European Parliament and NATO.I am gratified to learn that it produces over 170,000 tons of handmade chocolate a year from some 2000 establishments. WOW! What a paradise!
I am told that Belgian fritters are also famous.
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