Maroyaka Kale by Yakult Health Foods

*Sponsored Post*

I know many of us grew up with Yakult, the probiotic dairy product that helps balance your digestive system, but have you heard of Yakult Health Foods? About one and a half month ago, Yakult Health Foods was launched in Singapore  with a wide range of products and I was invited to witness the momentous event. I half wished I had retained all the Japanese language that I learned when I was much younger because the President & CEO of Yakult Health Foods was present and he delivered his speech in Japanese.

The event started with a stellar performance of Japanese drum before the unveiling of the range of the Yakult Health Foods brought into Singapore and I spent some time checking out the educational video where they featured the entire farming and processing process of Maroyaka Kale – one of the products that Yakult Health Foods will be retailing in Singapore.

Can I just be bimbo and say that I am one of those who love everything Japanese? Simply because the Japanese put in so much effort and research into each and everyone of their products and their packaging is ever so detailed.

In recent years, Kale has become a popular food supplement choice for many and are often blended in smoothies and fast becoming a highly sought-after health food. It is one of the healthiest vegetables you can find – high in calcium, contains beta-carotene (a precursor for vitamin A), vitamin B6, vitamin C, calcium, potassium, magnesium and chlorophyll.

I went home with a box of Maroyaka Kale. It is supposed to offer consumers the goodness and benefits of genuine, premium kale and readily available for easy consumption. With the recent viral news that has been going on all social media platforms about the food vendors not washing their vegetables at all (it’s true, I have witnessed it with my own eyes before), I have to say.. I did try to cut down on fresh vegetables consumed while I am out (so sad, because i’m such a veggie lover) and so I thought the Maroyaka Kale sachets is quite a brilliant idea!

Here’s a quick review on it. At first impression, I ultra love the packaging. Japanese do really put a lot of thoughts into their packaging design and it’s amazing how the simplest of details just make our live easier. The box opens with a flap, but with a tiny cut-out at the corner to close the flap back and use the same box as storage.

To consume, one just need to mix the powder into a glass of beverage. It can be anything (water, juices etc) and here, I mixed it with milk.. and it’s pretty yummy. Taste a little like broccoli (or veggie taste) and I find it easy to drink without any unpleasant smell or repulsive taste.

Guess what? The Maroyaka Kale can also be consumed with other food – ice cream, plain rice or simply added into whatever food you are eating. It’s a good supplement for anyone who doesn’t take enough vegetables and calcium in their diet. HPB recommends at least 2 servings of fruits and 2 servings of vegetables every day.

Some facts about Maroyaka Kale:

• The Kale is cultivated by the dedicated farmers from Kunisaki Peninsula, Oita-Ken Prefecture of Kyushu region
• The raw leaves are plucked in the morning and delivered to Yakult Health Foods factory at its freshest and are rinsed and carefully processed into the powder form
• Absolutely no agrochemical/chemical fertilizer or pest control is used in the cultivation and growth (only fully ripened compost is used as fertilizer)

It retails at $79.90 (U.P $87.90) from now till 30 Sep 2014 and it is available off the shelves of Guardian Pharmacy. They also do have a comprehensive range of quality health supplements like Watashi no Aojiru (young barley leaves), Glucosamine, Royal Jelly, Blueberry Lutein and more.

For now, I have stopped taking the product because I realised that it does seem to increase milk supply and as a breastfeeding and full-time working mum, engorged breast isn’t exactly what I would like to experience. I didn’t realise that Kale vegetables is one of those foods that help increase the milk supply . (NOTE: I am not saying you should take this product to increase your supply, just that I realised it did for me). The box label did also indicate that breastfeeding mums should consult a doc’s before taking the supplement so always check with your doctor first!

Disclaimer: I was invited to the launch of the Yakult Health Foods by Abeille d’Or (facebook page) and AT Marketing Consultancy. This is a sponsored post and  I also received a box of Maroyaka Kale for review purpose. All thoughts and opinions are of my own.