PLASTIC FANTASTIC
Soup of the day: noodles in a helmet
— By Andru Shively —
Foodies among us know that when it comes to Japanese cuisine, nothing beats a hot bowl of udon noodles. We also know, each time we slurp down the last drops of broth, the agony in suppressing our impulsive urge to flip the empty bowl on its head and crown ourselves in triumph, avoiding what would be an egregious fashion faux pas – until now.
Foodies among us know that when it comes to Japanese cuisine, nothing beats a hot bowl of udon noodles. We also know, each time we slurp down the last drops of broth, the agony in suppressing our impulsive urge to flip the empty bowl on its head and crown ourselves in triumph, avoiding what would be an egregious fashion faux pas – until now.
 The bowl can hold three raw noodle balls’ worth of udon, while the brim features a three-way partition for condiments (Screenshot: YoutTube/InternetTenjikai TV / World Trade Show TV) |
Japanese manufacturer of plastic products Kawasaki Kako (Kan’onji; www.kawasakikako.co.jp) this year started production of its biomass-plastic Udon Helmets, noodle bowls that can double as quirky caps.
Five years in the making, the helms came to be amid Kawasaki’s search for new applications for biomass-based plastics. Udon bowls were a no-brainer, given the company’s location in Kagawa Prefecture, self-marketed as the “udon prefecture” and famous for its variety. Ironically, the noodle bowls are made partly from rice: 50% of each helmet’s raw material is Rice Resin, a biomass-plastic derived from rice unfit for consumption.
 Hats off to the Japanese manufacturer for its dual-action Udon Helmet (Photo: Kawasaki Kako) |
Available for sale since July, Kawasaki nevertheless maintains that the purpose of the Udon Helmet is not to make money, but rather to engage the public in a fun way and demonstrate the company’s recent efforts to address plastics production-related environmental concerns.
But please, mind your heads: the company cautions that while the helmet-shaped containers can be worn, they do not function as proper protective headgear.
But please, mind your heads: the company cautions that while the helmet-shaped containers can be worn, they do not function as proper protective headgear.
29.11.2024 Plasteurope.com [256517-0]
Published on 29.11.2024