The Ultimate Sushi Kit

Sushi kits, which consist of all of the ingredients needed to make sushi (with the exception of fresh products) along with a beginner-friendly instruction manual, were developed as an extension to the Advanced Fresh Concepts fresh product line in 1997. Since ingredients such as mirin, wasabi, nori (seaweed), and sushi rice are traditional Japanese ingredients not typically found in the mainstream consumer’s home, the kit offers a suitable solution for those interested in sushi-making. The kits are advertised as a fun party activity for get-togethers among family and friends. The kits also provide users with the ability to customize their own sushi, which therefore caters to a wide clientele as diners can choose which ingredients to incorporate and season them to their liking.

 The difference in the types of sushi printed on the kit reflects the change in the American palate. Three editions spanning a decade suggest a trend from California Rolls to traditional types of sushi, and finally to what Advanced Fresh Concepts founder Ryuji Ishii calls “hybrid sushi.” Hybrid sushi is a type of sushi that combines both traditional and nontraditional sushi elements. The Spicy Tuna Roll, Rainbow Roll, and Dragon Roll are only some examples of sushi that incorporate raw fish and nontraditional ingredients like mayonnaise-based sauces. While the California Roll was invented to ease the American palate into traditional types of sushi, the popularization of hybrid sushi indicates a unique and unexpected trend in sushi culture, and the ways in which various adaptations of food are popularized based on local tastes.
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Sushi Kit, 2011

2011 sushi kit produced by the Advanced Fresh Concepts Corporation of California.The lid advertises the product as having 'everything you need to start making sushi," and displays images of the ingredients within the kit. The company promotes the kit as a gift item.
Description
2011 sushi kit produced by the Advanced Fresh Concepts Corporation of California.
The lid advertises the product as having 'everything you need to start making sushi," and displays images of the ingredients within the kit. The company promotes the kit as a gift item. The kit also comes with a "How to Sushi Kit" booklet. The booklet has bamboo in the background with a platter of sushi in the foreground. The platter of sushi consists only of ‘hybrid sushi’, as coined by AFC’s founder Ryuji Ishii, otherwise known as “specialty rolls,” a type of sushi that combines both traditional and non-traditional ingredients. “Rainbow roll,” “California roll,” and “Dragon roll” are only some examples of this type of sushi that were popularized by 2011.
In 1986, AFC Corporation was born with a mission to market fresh packaged sushi to supermarkets in America, a concept revolutionary at the time. The differences in the advertised sushi variety on these kits reflect the changes in consumers’ taste as well as AFC’s marketing strategy based on their understanding of consumer taste. While the differences between the 2001 edition and the 2006 edition suggest a trend towards traditional sushi, the 2011 edition reveals a reversion back to the colorful non-traditional types, which include a variety of mayonnaise based sauces.
date made
ca 2011
maker
Advanced Fresh Concepts Franchise Corp.
ID Number
2012.0182.07
accession number
2012.0182
catalog number
2012.0182.07

Sushi Kit, 2006

2006 Sushi kit produced by the Advanced Fresh Concepts Corporation of California.The lid advertises the kit as having "everything you need to start making sushi," and includes images of the ingredients contained within the kit.
Description
2006 Sushi kit produced by the Advanced Fresh Concepts Corporation of California.
The lid advertises the kit as having "everything you need to start making sushi," and includes images of the ingredients contained within the kit. AFC markets the sushi kits as gift sets and promotes the kit as desirable for parties. The kit has a picture of sushi in a circular container at the far left corner. The Southern Tsunami logo is in the right hand corner. There is a picture of a white man rolling a sushi log with different ingredients on both sides of him. There is also a picture of all the ingredients in the center. It has a "How to Sushi" booklet inside of it with 4 pieces of nigiri, 2 California rolls, and 2 other pieces of sushi on its cover.
In 1986, AFC Corporation was born with a mission to market fresh packaged sushi to supermarkets in America, a concept revolutionary at the time. In addition to the ingredients in the 2001 edition, the 2006 edition includes two types of miso soup, soba tea, green tea, two pairs of chopsticks and a rice spatula. The variety of sushi on the image has also expanded to include items like uni (sea urchin) and ikura (salmon roe) placed in a traditional, reflecting a sense of more familiarity and popularization of different types of sushi in America, and a shift towards traditional types and presentation of sushi. The added products of miso soup and condiments serve to diversify the meals that could be created with this kit, and reveals AFC’s attempt in enhancing the consumer’s sushi experience.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 2006
maker
Advanced Fresh Concepts Franchise Corp.
ID Number
2012.0182.06
accession number
2012.0182
catalog number
2012.0182.06

Sushi Kit Lid, 2001

2001 edition sushi kit produced by the Advanced Fresh Concepts Corporation in California.The lid advertises the kit as the "ultimate sushi kit," complete with "everything you need to start making sushi" displaying photographs of sushi, a How to Sushi Booklet, and lists the ingred
Description
2001 edition sushi kit produced by the Advanced Fresh Concepts Corporation in California.
The lid advertises the kit as the "ultimate sushi kit," complete with "everything you need to start making sushi" displaying photographs of sushi, a How to Sushi Booklet, and lists the ingredients and materials contained within the kit: pickled ginger, sushi rice, wasabi, sesame seeds, soy sauce, and seasoned vinegar. There is a sushi magnet included in the kit. On the right side of the lid, there are pictures depicting the assembly of the ingredients of a sushi roll and rolling it. The photograph of the platter of sushi includes nigiri sushi and makizushi of salmon, tuna, avocado, etc. It has the Southern Tsunami logo on the upper right corner of the lid.
In 1986, AFC Corporation was born with a mission to market fresh packaged sushi to supermarkets in America, a concept revolutionary at the time. This product reflects the popularization of sushi and AFC’s attempt to introduce sushi-making into the American household. The creation of this kit and the tagline, “Take some fun along!” also suggests sushi-making to be a special event set aside for occasions like parties and get-togethers with family and friends. The variety of sushi on the cover is limited to salmon, tuna, white fish and shrimp nigiri and California rolls, reflecting the tastes of the consumers and perhaps their accessibility to fresh ingredients. The variety and customization of sushi also appeals to a wide range of consumers including both vegetarians and non-vegetarians.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 2001
maker
Advanced Fresh Concepts Franchise Corp.
ID Number
2012.0182.05
accession number
2012.0182
catalog number
2012.0182.05

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