Flavored ice on a stick is called a Popsicle, hotdogs on a stick breaded of course is called a Pogo and now a new item on a stick is on the market. Sushi, that's right Sushi. Called the Sushi Popper; Popper Foods has begun to launch this unique fare via a unique vehicle, via Food Network's show Unwrapped. I have tried fried Sushi in the past so when I saw the press release for the Sushi Popper I popped a request off to Lucas Furst the President and Co-Founder of Popper Foods the company behind the Sushi Popper for an inside track on this unique product. Mr. Furst thanks for if I may use a pun, popping in.
Lucas Furst: Thank you Cliff for the opportunity you are giving me to be on Candid Conversations.
Cliff T.: For the uninitiated can you tell us what is Sushi?
Lucas Furst: Sushi indicates foods that use rice seasoned with sweet rice-wine vinegar. Of, raw fish is the most popular ingredient in sushi, but the main element of Sushi is Japanese sticky rice. There are many kinds of sushi, which don’t include raw fish. Cooked fish, shellfish, and various other ingredients can be combined in sushi.
Cliff T.: Now I have to ask, what inspired the creation of the Sushi Popper?
Lucas Furst: Sushi Popper was created by both myself and by my partner. We each had two different visions of sushi. My personal vision and the creation of Sushi Popper was when I ate sushi in the car going to work one day the sushi fell all over my lap out of the traditional sushi box also called a Bento box. The sushi was hard to eat and the soy sauce was everywhere.
Cliff T.: One of the interesting things I noted on the website was that you have desert Sushi. Mr. Furst is that a new take on Sushi?
Lucas Furst: We do have some new desserts we are exploring such as Mochi, flan, and more that fits in the tube and you will be able to eat on the go around the world.
Cliff T.: I noted that you have a variety of flavors can you explain how you decided on what flavors you would sell?
Lucas Furst: Our Flavors took sometime to develop and continue to develop based on the general public. Our Executive chef and Senior Product Manager Davin Waite has developed California Roll, Teriyaki Chicken Roll, Miso Chicken Roll, Sweet Chili Tofu Roll, Ginger-Scallion Yellow Tail Roll, Habenero Smoked Banana Seared Albacore Roll.
Cliff T.: Mr. Furst what has been the reaction from people to the Sushi Popper?
Lucas Furst: The reaction has been unbelievable these are some of the reactions we were receiving. It’s Awesome!------It’s Great!-------It’s Amazing!------It’s the Most Exciting Item!-----------It’s the best new product we’ve seen in years!-------It’s Going to revolutionize sushi eating!-------We want it for our schools!----------When can we get it?--------Where can we get it?-------etc---etc-----
Cliff T.: How long has Sushi Popper been available for people to purchase and how long did it take to develop the Sushi Popper?
Lucas Furst: Sushi Popper has been available for a short amount of time in California in Oceanside at a restaurant called Fish Joint. We have been in a number of university magazines in California such as University Link Magazine. People have been known to drive all the way from downtown LA to Ocean side and eat at Fish Joint restaurant for Sushi Popper. As for the amount of time it took us to develop Sushi Popper its been well over a year in development.
Cliff T.: What was the biggest challenge you faced developing this product and how did you overcome it?
Lucas Furst: We had many challenges that we faced in development. One of the most challenging challenges was to make the Sushi Popper an airtight canister to not allow any oxidation or oxygen to enter the tube at a great rate causing the food to deteriorate rapidly. We had many months of trying to seal the container on the bottom and on the top testing for leaking and making our product a fully recyclable product was also a challenge.
Cliff T.: I have to ask this question because we all know that Sushi is a Japanese dish. Have you or are you planning on going into the Japanese market? If so when? If not why?
Lucas Furst: We have explored bringing this to the Japanese market in Tokyo. We are currently in negotiations in Tokyo for our product Sushi Popper. We have many scientists and marketing reps working out there bringing Sushi Popper to the Tokyo area quickly.
Cliff T.: Besides the United States do you plan to market the Sushi Popper in other markets if so where?
Lucas Furst: We have discussed many open markets for Sushi Popper. We want to create a new platform for people eating not only sushi but other types of food as well. We are looking at the European market, such as bringing our product to Stadiums, schools, airlines and more.
Cliff T.: If people want to try the Sushi Popper where would they go to buy it?
Lucas Furst: Sushi Popper will be offered in California and New York City, quickly expanding nationwide by the end of March. People can also order online starting the end of next week nationally and this item can be shipped to your home or business address.
Cliff T.: Mr Furst it sounds like you are off to a good start thus far. Do you think that you'll be trying other products like this in future?
Lucas Furst: We have a number of lines we are starting, Sushi Popper being one of our sushi lines. We will be expanding quickly with vegetarian wraps, as well as chicken teriyaki wraps steak wraps in a tortilla, egg rolls, spring rolls and more. Our company also known as Popper Foods will be quickly expanding.
Cliff T.: Well I can say that is probably one of the most unique products I have come across I hope that you do well with it and have fun at the same time. Thanks so much for letting readers of Candid Conversations know about the Sushi Popper.
Lucas Furst: Thank you cliff for your time, and being a part of our new break through called Sushi Popper
Cliff T.: Lucas Furst is the President and Co-Founder of Popper Foods which markets the Sushi Popper. Which was featured on an episode of Unwrapped on the Food Network. The company has two locations one in New York and the other in Las Vegas.
For more information on the Sushi Popper itself visit www.sushipopper.com
C. T.
