Godrej Nature’s Basket, India’s friendly food expert announced a collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries (MAFF), Government of Japan, today to offer some of the finest Japanese products at its stores in Mumbai (Juhu), Delhi (Vasant Vihar & Defence Colony) and Hyderabad (Banjara Hill). This will be during the period of February 01 to March 25, 2012.
Japanese food is well known around the world as a healthy food option. It is indeed a very attractive and delicious cuisine that has attracted people world over. Sushi is now a household word, and India is seeing significant growth in the distribution and consumption of Japanese food, both restaurants as well as increasingly, in retail outlets, which have opened in in key metros around India.
Speaking on the association, Mohit Khattar, Managing Director, Godrej Nature’s Basket commented, “Godrej Nature’s Basket has been pioneering the gourmet revolution in India and catalyzing the presence of world food on Indian dining tables. Japanese cuisine, with its varied flavours, health benefits and sheer aesthetics is something that our country is now beginning to appreciate.
We are truly privileged to be able to bring together some of the finest Japanese products and ingredients through our key stores in Mumbai, Delhi and Hyderabad for our consumers. We are committed to help enhance the popularity and appeal of this great cuisine.”
Gracing the occasion the spokesperson of MAFF commented, “First of all, we would like to express our heartfelt appreciation to everyone who has extended their support towards Japan following the 11 March 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake.
On this occasion, we are pleased that we are able to introduce Japanese food products in India, in the three cities of Delhi, Mumbai, and Hyderabad. As you may know, Japan is blessed with four distinct seasons, majestic mountains and pure water, surrounded by seas with abundant natural resources. Our country, given such favourable conditions, has developed cultures in our various regions, each with its unique, vibrant agricultural and fisheries industries.
In these regions, by virtue of Japan’s unique sensibilities of beauty, attention to detail, as well as years of working towards polishing techniques, these natural resources give birth not only to very tasty products, but food products which are a sight to behold. We would be delighted if you would visit the antenna shops in the three cities, and enjoy attractive Japanese food products.”
His Excellency Ambassador Akitaka Saiki commented, “Amid the expansion of Japan-India relations in various spheres, I am pleased to attend this event with a view to promoting Japanese food to people in India. Japan and India have cultural connections historically, Indian “curry and rice” is very popular in Japanese home cooking, and therefore has a long history in Japan.
Sushi is well known for its beautiful appearance, delicate taste, and for being well-balanced in the nutritional sense. As the number of Japanese restaurant grows, Japanese cuisine is becoming popular in India. Through ‘Taste Japan’, which is designated as one of the projects of the 60th anniversary of Japan-India diplomatic relations, we hope that Japanese food items will be more accessible to ordinary Indians and will also contribute to further strengthening bilateral business and cultural ties.”
Project Director, Hiroshi Inoue, Kintetsu World Express Sales, Inc. commented, “It is our honour to work with Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries to be able to work on this project in bringing Japanese food products to India. As you may know, the Japanese food market in India is in its developing stages, but we believe that the market is not only getting bigger and bigger, but it will be one of the world's most important markets for Japanese food in the future, given India's rapid economic rise and immense population.
The more people seek healthy lifestyles, the more people turn to Japanese food, which is known the world over as being indeed healthy. We hope that many people enjoy some great Japanese products on this occasion, by visiting Godrej Nature's Basket locations in Delhi, Mumbai and Hyderabad, in the coming few weeks.”
Anuj Jodhani, Director of maidoindia, commented about Japanese food sold and sampled in the antenna shops as follows:
“The products chosen are symbolic of the quality and uniqueness of Japan and we hope all customers of Natures Basket enjoy these”
With the soaring popularity of Japanese food in India, the time has come for this cuisine to move out of restaurants and enter into Indian kitchens. Almost every day, a new Japanese restaurant opens and sushi takeaways are a new feature. Globally famous Japanese chefs have moved to India to cater to this growing appetite. Japanese food in India has triumphed and this love affair, which mirrors the global rise of modern Japanese food, is here to stay.
Given that the demand for Japanese foodstuffs and cooking ingredients is poised to take off, the Japanese Agriculture Ministry is bringing nearly 40 new food items to India, specifically selected for the Indian market. These foodstuffs will be on display at Nature’s Basket in Defence Colony as part of a special promotion, as well as Nature’s Basket locations in Mumbai, and Hyderabad. For eight weeks, a variety of cooking sauces and seasonings, low-fat snacks, dips, healthy juices and pickled vegetables can be seen and tasted. At weekends, some cooked dishes will also be available to show how these ingredients can be used in cooking.