Springwise - Food & Beverage

Cooking wiki can be edited by anyone

2009-11-06T09:01:00Z

We've seen the Wikipedia model applied to car design, a video dictionary and an online publishing platform. The latest? Foodista, an online cooking encyclopedia whose recipes can be edited by anyone.

Launched late last year, Seattle-based Foodista is a collaborative project to build the world's largest, highest-quality cooking encyclopedia. The site says it is the first to organize and cross-link the basic elements of cooking: foods, or the basic ingredients; recipes, or combinations of ingredients; cooking techniques; and kitchen tools. Rather than include hundreds of recipes for the same basic result, however—the way many recipe sites do—Foodista aims instead to perfect a few key recipes through the collaborative editing process. Thousands of high-resolution photos from the Flickr.com Creative Commons currently illustrate the topics on the site—though not the results of specific recipes, as TechCrunch points out—and users can also upload their own photos. Content is fully editable, and a raft of tools aimed at food bloggers include embeddable widgets to forge automated links from Foodista to specific food blogs. Ultimately, Foodista plans to support itself through online advertising.

Will a thousand cooks produce a better recipe, as the site implicitly promises? Or will the collaborative process reduce each of the site's recipes to the most bland, lowest-common-denominator version, as TechCrunch suggests it might? Time will tell. In the meantime, one to watch—or get involved in? (Related: 52 recipe contests to spawn crowdsourced cookbook — Personalized cooking: recipes match cravings — Customized cookbooks stir in online recipes.)

Website: www.foodista.com
Contact: www.foodista.com/contact

Spotted by: Murtaza Ali Patel

Personalized plates and placemats for kids

2009-11-05T22:44:12Z

There's nothing like a baby to inspire adults to seek new heights of design and personalization. Last week we covered RoomsByYou's customizable fabrics for baby rooms, after which we were happy to spot Alphabet Plates, a line of plates and placemats that can be customized for young kids.

With bright, bold designs and BPA-free construction, Alphabet Plates can be personalized to reflect kids' favourite foods, sports, faces or monograms. Those approximating a child's face, for example, allow customization of the 10-inch melamine plate's colour as well as the child's hair, eye colour, skin tone and accessories; two small text boxes can accommodate the child's name and a phrase like "Big Sister." Food-themed designs include pizza and tofu, while volleyball and bicycling are among the sports represented. Alphabet Plates are priced at USD 22. The Florida company's personalizable USD 18 placemats, meanwhile, show where all the dishes and utensils go and are available in English, Spanish, French, Hebrew, Dutch and German. A portion of every sale is donated to the Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation.

It seems safe to say consumers will never tire of customization, especially when it comes to their children. What we can't wait to see is, who will make the first line of customizable—reusable or disposable—diapers...?

Website: www.alphabetplates.com
Contact: info@alphabetplates.com

Spotted by: swissmiss

Bottled water brand encourages positive thinking

2009-11-04T13:50:48Z

From France to Fiji, bottled water brands rely on spring-based provenance to lure customers. A newcomer is focusing on a different kind of message: positivity. A Bottle Of, which claims to be Australia's first Naturally Positive spring water, currently comes in three varieties: wellbeing, love and strength.

Launched last December by Heidi Albertiri, a flower stylist who believes in the power of positivity, A Bottle Of hopes to lift people's moods, encouraging them to "Sip it - Say it - Absorb it - Feel it - Think about it - Repeat it - Believe it". Given the size of both the self-help market and the bottled water industry, there's something to be said for a brand that combines the two.

A Bottle Of is currently sold through a small number of retailers, yoga centers and gyms in New South Wales and Victoria, and the company is actively seeking stockists in Melbourne and Sydney. Furthering its message of positive change, a nickel from each bottle sold goes to Food Water Shelter, a not-for-profit organisation that builds eco-friendly children's villages in Tanzania. How about licensing the brand to other regions where consumers would welcome an affirmational sip?

Website: www.abottleof.com.au
Contact: info@abottleof.com.au

Reusable water bottle flattens & folds when empty

2009-11-04T06:57:39Z

To reduce the number of plastic water bottles that end up in landfills, consumers are encouraged to buy reusable bottles. Since those can be bulky to carry along, a company in Thousand Oaks, California designed an alternative. Vapur is a reusable water bottle that flattens when empty. Like a regular bottle, it stands upright when full. But when it's empty, users can fold or roll it up to stick it in a pocket or a purse.

Made of ultra-durable three-ply, BPA-free polymer, Vapur bottles can be cleaned in a dishwasher's top rack and can be frozen to keep water cool. Vapur's eco-creds aren't limited to their day-to-day use: since the bottles can be shipped flat, they're also greener to ship from manufacturer to distributors and consumers. All in all, it's an innovative way to make it more convenient for consumers to drink and carry tap water. Also of interest is that the product was developed in-house by design agency Tonic, as part of their strategy to create and spin off products of their own.

Website: www.vapur.us
Contact: www.thinktonic.com/contact-us.php

Spillproof cooking coach: a touchpad made for kitchens

2009-10-26T22:49:23Z

While tech fiends are anxiously awaiting web tablets made by Apple and TechCrunch, a recently-launched French touchpad device could become the darling of culinary geeks. Made specifically for kitchen use, QOOQ is a touchscreen tablet that aims to coach and assist both beginning and experienced cooks.

For EUR 349, the device comes loaded with 500 interactive recipes and 10 instructional videos. Customers can add their own recipes and—for a monthly fee of EUR 12.95—get access to a further 2,000 recipes and 500 video, with 50 new recipes added every month. Membership also includes unlimited access to a culinary guide that covers everything from wine pairing to chopping techniques. Spillproof and wifi-enabled, QOOQ was developed entirely to be used in the kitchen. Placed flat on a countertop, it rests on 'claws' that keep it safely elevated from crumbs and damp prep areas. It can also stand upright, for easier reading and for use as a digital picture frame (the device is multi-purpose: it also includes a radio and a weather station).

QOOQ's founders hope to encourage people to rediscover the pleasure of cooking, while making their lives simpler with features like intuitive menu planning tools and automated grocery lists. QOOQ's interface and recipes are currently only available in French—for anyone in food publishing in other parts of the world, this could be a natural fit.

Website: www.qooq.com
Contact: contact@unowhy.com

Spotted by: Thibaut Bayart

Sustainable baked goods by weekly subscription

2009-10-21T18:30:05Z

Last month, we reported on Milk Made: a Manhattan members club for artisanal ice cream. Operating on the same principle—food produced in small batches and delivered locally to pre-paying customers—is Dulcinea. The young baked-goods company, also based in New York, delivers 'a wholesome indulgence' every Wednesday. Customers subscribe per month, paying USD 28 per week.

Past deliveries include six jumbo rhubarb muffins, a blueberry lemon pound cake, and a half dozen strawberry scones. Dulcinea uses produce from local farms, choosing organic and sustainably produced ingredients as much as possible. Like the roaming restaurants we've covered, the subscription/members model used by Dulcinea and Milk Made is a great way for fledgling entrepreneurs to get a foothold in the food business, creating a steady income and a client base for other parts of their business (Dulcinea, for example, also does catering). Entrepreneurial foodies in other cities—what are you waiting for?! ;-)

Website: www.dulcineabaking.com
Contact: emma@dulcineabaking.com

Spotted by: Danielli Alejos

Urban beekeeping kit for honey lovers

2009-10-08T16:58:56Z

We wrote about Omlet's do-it-yourself chicken-farming kits back in 2005, and since then interest in urban farming has only gotten stronger. A number of updates on the topic have graced our virtual pages since then, and now Omlet has added do-it-yourself beekeeping to its line of offerings.

We've covered urban beekeeping atop a hotel and a department store, but Omlet's Beehaus kit brings the practice back down to earth for individual consumers. The Beehaus comes as a complete hive ready for colonization, with all the parts necessary including honey jars and a comprehensive beekeeping guide. Priced at GBP 465, the Beehaus is available in a choice of colours, and it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. An optional starter kit, meanwhile, includes the accessories a first-time beekeeper will need, such as a bee suit, veil, smoker and hive tools. An average, colonized Beehaus will produce 50 jars of honey per year, UK-based Omlet says, with the potential for up to 100kg if things go well.

Will consumers tire of producing their own, hand-cultivated food? Survey says no, particularly during these rough economic times. One to bring to sweet-toothed consumers in your part of the global hive...?

Website: www.omlet.co.uk
Contact: info@omlet.co.uk

Spotted by: Raymond Kollau

Farmers use vending machines to sell local produce

2009-10-07T18:38:04Z

In a world wrapped up in complex supply chains, small farmers are in a catch-22: sell to the supermarkets and get less cash for your carrots, or spend a lot more time and effort trying to sell directly to customers. Consumers, meanwhile, are torn between loyalty to local businesses and the convenience of those established supply chains. Now a German farm, Peter-und-Paul-Hof, has found a solution in the form of... vending machines. The result of a collaboration between the farm and vending manufacturer Stuewer, the specially designed Regiomat machines currently sell fresh milk, eggs, butter, cheese, potatoes and sausage in thirteen German towns and communities.

It's not a solution that sprung up overnight. Initially, Peter-und-Paul-Hof were operating a service delivering milk to their customers. Finding this too time-consuming, they began encouraging customers to collect the milk from fridges on their farm, which proved successful and inspired them to use vending machines as a more versatile solution. The Regiomat machines can be placed outdoors 365 days a year as long as they're under a roof (some have even been placed alongside hiking trails in Switzerland), effectively giving locals a 24-hour farmers' market and farmers a lot more free time. By cutting out the middleman, this system also offers potential savings over retail stores. An update to the traditional farm stand that is beneficial to both farmers and local-loving consumers, this is definitely a concept we can see spreading to other parts of the world. (Related: Vending machines for healthy food.)

Website: www.stuewer.de/automaten/regiomat/index.html — www.peter-paul-hof.de
Contact: automaten@stuewer.de

Spotted by: Franziska Luh

Filipinos can eat themselves happy at Van Gogh is Bipolar

2009-09-29T13:34:19Z

It's no secret that satisfying a craving for chocolate can instantly improve a person's mood. It's lesser known that a huge range of natural foods can stimulate longer-lasting 'happy' hormones than chocolate ever could. Knowledge that could become more memorable thanks to Van Gogh is Bipolar, a restaurant and cafe that opened in Quezon City earlier this year. (The Dutch painter has been posthumously diagnosed with bipolar disorder by some psychiatrists, while others believe he suffered from schizophrenia.)

The cafe only serves all-natural 'happy-hormone-producing' foods, set to lift customers' moods. Its menu is loaded with foods that are believed to help balance the brain's levels of serotonin and dopamine, which in turn helps alleviate mild to moderate depression. While nutritional scientists have assumed this for a while, it's the first time—as far as we know—that the theory has been used as the starting point for a restaurant.

Resembling a living room, Van Gogh is Bipolar's interior is meant to make customers feel comfortable and at home. Dish names, meanwhile, are inspired by celebrities known to have suffered from mood disorders. There's the Larry Flynt Cabbage Experience and Jim Carey Sardines—and even a series of Presidents' Meals that includes concoctions for Roosevelt, Lincoln and Clinton. The menu is designed to show customers the key foods that maintain healthy hormone levels, helping them include these foods in their diet at home. Combining functional food with social entrepreneurship, the concept aims to make a real difference in a new way. An idea worth spreading!

Website: www.facebook.com
Menu: www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=252266930260

Spotted by: Robert Alejandro

Minibars at Ace Hotel stocked with local liquor

2009-09-29T12:45:37Z

Ace Hotel in Portland has partnered with local distillers House Spirits to stock their minibars with limited-edition artisan spirits. In addition to gin, vodka, rum and blended whiskey, guests can also get a cocktail kit including fresh citrus, bucket of ice, cocktail shaker, jigger and martini glasses. Plus cocktail recipe cards for amateur mixologists in need of inspiration.

Launched by native Northwesterners in 2004, House Spirits Distillery makes its spirits on SE 7th Avenue, less than two miles from Ace Hotel's lobby. Its Apothecary Line—a collection of small-batch, limited edition spirits packaged in individually numbered 375 ml bottles—is currently only available at its own Apothecary Tasting Room, and in the Portland Ace Hotel. By offering guests an exclusive homegrown product, the hotel adds a unique element to their experience while supporting the local economy. Move over, Absolut and Toblerone ;-) (More urban beekeeping, this time atop a Toronto hotel — Loews Hotels adopt local farmers.)

Website: www.acehotel.com/portland
Contact: www.acehotel.com/portland/contact

Restaurant uses social media to compile wine list

2009-09-28T21:58:59Z

Last year we reported on Bin Ends, who gave the public the opportunity to take part in wine tastings via Twitter. Last month, a London restaurant got in on the social media act by crowdsourcing their wine list selection. L'Anima, Time Out's pick for Best New Italian Restaurant 2009, hosted a tasting for six wine experts, including wine writer Anthony Rose, wine vlogger Denise Medrano and resident sommelier Gal Zohar. The tasters formed three teams to sample Zohar's short list and settle on the final selection. "Unfortunately," said the sommelier on his blog, "these enthusiasts, rarely agree with each other." That's where the public came in.

For three wine categories where the experts couldn't reach a consensus, L'Anima uploaded videos of each team pleading their case. Members of the public, who had been given advance notice of the wines and were updated on the selection process, were then asked to vote for the wines that they'd like to have in the restaurant. The exercise proved a successful marketing tool for L'Anima, not least because a prize of free wine and a tour of the restaurant was up for grabs for a randomly chosen Twitterer who tweeted about the process. And L'Anima's audience benefited too, getting its nose into proceedings that were once the exclusive domain of experts.

Website: www.lanima.co.uk
Contact info@lanima.co.uk

Spotted by: Cecilia Biemann

Vending machines for healthy food, from Spain this time

2009-09-28T19:48:51Z

Finding a convenient, healthy snack can be difficult in workplaces and schools where fruit trees are long gone and the best on offer now comes from a vending machine stuffed with junk food. Back in 2007 we picked out YoNaturals, a company that responded by supplying vending machines filled with organic produce. Now a Barcelona company—Lof (short for 'Lo Fresco')—has brought a similar service to market in Spain. Sidestepping the debate over whether organic food is all it's cracked up to be, Lof's emphasis is on solid nutritional value. Their machines, which are supplied, installed and maintained for free, sell nuts, prepared fruit, ready meals and Spanish speciality, gazpacho soup.

Novel uses of vending machines are a staple of the Springwise diet—we've dispensed reports on vending machines for everything from bathing suits to hot pizzas. By using them to promote healthy eating, Lof has latched on to two key trends: convenience and organic foods, with a model that creates social value as well as profits.

Website: www.lofresco.es
Contact: info@lofresco.es

Spotted by: Joandó Reverter

Shares in New Zealand beehives help protect Manuka trees

2009-09-28T06:45:20Z

New Zealand start-up Your Pure Honey is offering customers the chance to own a share of a beehive in and enjoy the Manuka honey it produces. A basic share costs USD 285 per season (September–May) and yields 2kg of raw honey (delivery costs are included). Those who their own personal colony can adopt an entire hive as a 'Premium Partner' for USD 2,500 and receive 20kg of honey at the close of the season.

Your Pure Honey is keen to establish a personal connection between partners and their hives. Each partner receives a personal link to a website that's updated throughout the season with photographs and videos of their hive, and the material is collated in a photo book and DVD at the end of the season. Like the vineyard shares and adopted olive tree that preceded this venture, it's all about creating a unique story and product that can be shared with friends.

And there's an extra dimension that should appeal to consumers: forest preservation. Manuka trees are often felled to create extra farming land. Your Pure Honey rents land from farmers (one hectare per hive), protecting Manuka forests and providing farmers with an alternative source of income. It's a sweet deal all round. (Related: Remote-controlled farming for city dwellers — Sustainable crowdfunded forest — Rooftop beekeeping at Fortnum's.)

Website: www.yourpurehoney.com
Contact: info@yourpurehoney.com

Spotted by: luxist.com via Chris Turner

Members club for artisanal ice cream in Manhattan

2009-09-21T18:08:34Z

Manhattan Milk Company reacquainted downtown New Yorkers with doorstep deliveries of bottled milk. Now, another local startup is hoping to, um, milk the same market. Soon to officially launch, Milk Made is offering New Yorkers the chance to have a pint of freshly-made ice cream delivered to their doorstep every month. The service will be by subscription only, and will give members the chance to submit flavour ideas and see how their ice cream is made, as well as attend Milk Made ice cream parties. Pricing for the service is still being finalised, and Milk Made expects to be able to accommodate about 50 members.

So what kind of ice cream are we talking here? You've guessed it: local and organic. The ingredients are sourced from local farmers' markets, so flavours vary with the seasons. There will generally be five to choose from per month, to be detailed on a menu sent to all members. Examples of flavours on offer include Maple Pancake, Berry-Berry Cobbler and Peanut Butter Brown Sugar, all handmade by the company's founders in their East Village flat. Which is about as (still) made here as it gets. (Related: Used cooking oil for ultra-local candlemaking in Tokyo — Handmade greeting cards by monthly subscription.)

Website: www.milkmadeicecream.com
Contact: info@milkmadeicecream.com

Spotted by: Cecilia Biemann

Vitaminwater’s new flavour created with Facebook app

2009-09-21T06:48:52Z

“Sorry to pull you away from checking out your ex’s photo gallery, but Vitaminwater needs your help.” Offering an alternative use for Facebook, the beverage company is inviting users to create new flavours and vitamin content.

After adding the FlavorCreator app from Vitaminwater’s Facebook page, users can help influence the flavour, functional benefits and design of the new water. First, they are invited to choose their favourite of ten flavours, picked from the ten most mentioned flavours elsewhere on the web according to the app’s ‘buzz meter’. (Which means the crowds are indirectly and unwittingly contributing, too.) The second step lets users play games and answer quiz questions, helping Vitaminwater understand the most desired nutritional benefits, and which functional ingredients to add to the drinks. The last step lets users name the flavour, and decide the aesthetic and copy to be used on the bottle. Rapper 50 Cent and American Idol winner Carrie Underwood will help decide the winning submission, which comes complete with a USD 5,000 prize. The winner will be announced in December, with the flavour available from March 2010.

Product development contests aren't new, of course. But Vitaminwater stresses that this isn't just another marketing program: like Coca-Cola’s new Freestyle machine, the app enables the company to get feedback on the tastes du jour, producing products that are more likely to become best-sellers. R&D, product promotion and branding building: not a bad result from customers frittering away time on their lunch breaks ;-)

Website: www.vitaminwater.com — www.facebook.com/vitaminwater

Spotted by: Judy McRae