Jellyfish Cookies Selling like Hot Cakes

Jellyfish Cookies Selling like Hot Cakes
http://www.weirdasianews.com/category/weird-news/page/5/
Wednesday, April 18th, 2007

Who would have ever thought that cookies made of jellyfish would become a hit product?

Mouthwatering cookies called Ekura-chan have done just that.

Ekura-chan saku-saku cookies --

The incredible edibles were jointly developed by Obama Fisheries High School and Fukui-based gift retailer Keifuku Shoji Co.

After hitting the market last October, more than 20,000 Ekura-chan cookies have been sold, far exceeding expectations.

The baked goodies–made of huge Echizen kurage jellyfish that is a nuisance to fishermen–also hit the shelves at a department store in Osaka’s Minami district.

To find ways to commercialize untapped marine resources, students at the fisheries school’s food industry department have since 2002 been developing tofu and fruit punch using jellyfish.

While developing these products, the students hit on the idea of turning jellyfish essence into a baking powder, which is odorless and tastes like bittern.

At the same time, Keifuku Shoji approached the school to jointly commercialize products made from jellyfish. (more…)