Some of my readers may have already noticed that I have put up a poll on the right side of the blog. If you have a moment, I'd appreciate any replies you'd care to give or comments you'd care to leave on the subject.
The reason for this poll is that I'd like to widen the scope of what I've been reviewing to some extent. There are sometimes foods that I buy and consume that I could review which I do not review because they aren't the sorts of things that most of my readers (who are not living in Japan) can find from their respective locations.
Mainly, I've been avoiding reviewing things like packaged pastries or traditional sweets which are sold relatively fresh (with expiration dates that are within a few weeks) and unlikely to be exported. Though I will occasionally review such things, my main focus has generally been on the sort of packaged food with longevity that may be sold by various exporters of Asian food.
The poll asks if readers are looking to be informed so they can make purchases because this has been my default assumption for the most part. However, I've started to wonder if the main reason people read is simply curiosity about Japanese food or food in general and that the ability to actually purchase the foods I review is of far lesser importance to my readers than I have imagined. If the poll reveals that few people actually use this blog as a resource for information on purchases, chances are I will expand to covering more of the types of foods that are unlikely to be available via exporters or Asian food selling agents.
Changing the scope of the blog to encompass more fresh foods wouldn't affect the general composition of the blog dramatically. Certainly, I would not avoid reviewing the popular items like KitKats, oddball Coke and Pepsi releases, etc. It would, however, cut down on the number of similar products that get reviewed (like the number of variations on flavor themes like sweet potato, chestnut, chocolate, banana Country Ma'am flavors). Frankly, I think that expansion would be good from the viewpoint of not repeating reviews of so many of the same products in their various incarnations. Again though, I'll sample what I want to sample. I'm looking to the poll's results more with an eye toward what I will actually take the time to write reviews of.
Thanks in advance for any feedback you care to give me. I really appreciate all of the people who follow this blog and read it regularly. The fact that it keeps growing (slowly, but surely) is very encouraging to me. At the moment, I'm averaging about 1,100 independent visitors per day (and heading toward 800 subscribers via RSS), and that makes me very happy indeed. Thank you for your support and readership!
12 comments:
I do sometimes choose to buy something because you have reviewed it and it sounds nice, but I also live in Japan so can easily get hold of most things (unless they're regional I guess) so I wouldn't mind seeing a wider variety of things at all!
Thanks, Jimjamjenny!
Although your very positive reviews would certainly cause me to look for something either in an import store or while visiting Japan, I enjoy reading your reviews of things I will probably never try, as well. It's interesting to see what flavors are trendy in Japan, but also the traditional flavors and regional specialties that don't make it out of the country!
Living all life in one country means, that we are used to many things, and those are obvious for us. I love to read your blog, because I love to know, what people like to eat in other countries, and I find the differences interesting and refreshing. I especially like posts about regional, limited editions of international products (Pepsi, Fanta, Mentos etc.), but I read all your reviews - love those about traditional japanese sweets also. I would love to read some fresh products reviews.
Thank you for your work!!! Keep going!
I don't actually read the blog for the purposes of eating anything, I just find it interesting reading, and in the hopes of hearing about some kind of oddball wacky snack. I'd say review whatever seems worth reviewing.
We get imported Asian snacks here so your blog is helpful for me to understand what I am purchasing!
I found your blog as I was searching for some help buying candy to send home to the US for my family. I have learned a lot more from this and your other "Things I Will/Will Not Miss About Japan" and would love to see you review more fresher or shorter shelf life products. Although I am in Okinawa where the culture is a bit different, I can definitely use some of the info you are generously sharing. Thank you!
I read your blogs everyday. I was born and raised in Okinawa (I am a civil service "brat") and left when I was 16 -- oh so many years ago! However, my love of all things Okinawa and Japan has been a very driving force of my life. My husband and I have traveled to both places together 3 times and hope to return next year. These blogs, help me either remember some of the things I still miss, or introduce me to new things I may not have picked up on otherwise. Love to read both food and living blogs. It would be fun to read about some of the traditional foods you come across that are fresh -- you never know what sources folks have out there to purchase some of these things. Thanks for the fun read every morning!
I live in the Southern California area and here we have Mitsuwa supermarkets that specialize in Japanese food/groceries. I can find a lot of the packaged snacks/foods that you review. For example, I've been dying to try Tirol candies since reading your blog, but I never noticed them at my local Mitsuwa until reading your blog! So, for me, I find enjoyment in reading your reviews, whether they're about easily accessible packaged products, or seasonal/regional items because one day, I hope to visit Japan and I'll have a good idea of the various things I can find at markets there and/or those items I hope to find/try specific to a region or area. Thanks much!!
I find all your poll choices to be true :) plus I just like reading how you describe food.
I do also try to find things you've reviewed (with less luck) but I enjoy the cultural analysis of flavours and textures that come along with your posts, so I'd love to read your opinions on other food as well! Food is such an interesting indicator of differences.
I love your Blog, because I´m interested in all kinds of japanese food. So I would like to see also fresh things and all that you can buy in Japan.
Thanks for your Blog and continiue with yor Post ;)
Kyo
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