Packaging Whore

Highlighting smart, aesthetically-pleasing design in food packaging.

December 1, 2009

Packaging Whore: Gone Bananas!

by Kayoko Akabori

Trader Joe’s. Cupertino, CA. Do you see all the little silhouettes of monkeys everywhere? The whole thing is so cheesy, I couldn’t resist buying a box (only $1.99 for four bananas!). Just in case you were interested: Everything about this excites me.

November 17, 2009

Packaging Whore: Pannikin Coffee & Tea (SD)

by Kayoko Akabori

I saw the coffee cup and stopped dead in my tracks. Best. Logo. Ever. The colors! The font! The way the logo takes up the entire length of the cup! It’s all very 1970’s punk rock meets Communist Russia. LOVIT. Pannikin is an awesome cafe in Encinitas, housed in an old train station. Their motto […]

October 21, 2009

Packaging Whore: Guadagni Jug O’ Wine

by Kayoko Akabori

A few weeks back, my bff Kristi, Nate and I stopped by Preston Creek Winery on our way back from the Ladhabhoy nuptials in Healdsburg, Sonoma County (I went to a total of seven weddings this year- that’s IT! NO MORE PLEASE!). Nate had heard about Preston and their organically grown wines from his vino […]

September 6, 2009

Packaging Whore: Mon Chouchou Baumkuchen (Osaka)

by Kayoko Akabori

Newest omiyage (gift) in the Akabori household from Japan: green tea Baumkuchen from a patisserie in Dojima, Osaka called Mon Chouchou. From the website, it looks like it is a relatively new shop (2003), that takes its inspiration from the old world of Osaka, calling Dojima the “New York of Japan.” Of course the most […]

May 30, 2009

Packaging Whore: Sandwich Box

by Kayoko Akabori

Last week Yoko was in town and she took me to Gregoire, a little French take-out spot in Berkeley (now also one in Oakland). They serve an array of lovely sandwiches during lunch ($8 max), and expand their menu to meat and seafood entrees for dinner (a bit pricey for take-out at $16.75 max, but […]

May 18, 2009

Packaging Whore: Buenos Aires, With Love

by Kayoko Akabori

Look what Erin just sent me! Cute little sugar packets from a cafe in Buenos Aires, where Erin just went to visit our friend Andrea (who incidentally posted her delightful Argentinian fridge a few weeks back). These make me so happy- I want to tango under Buenos Aires starlight just like that couple. Thanks Erin […]

January 21, 2009

Packaging Whore: Cornichons, Paris Style

by Kayoko Akabori

Here’s something awesome that Matt brought back for me from his jaunt in Paris. Looks like just an ordinary jar of cornichons (aka the Gherkin), right? Think again. When you open it up, there is this awesome stick floating in the middle of the jar. What is it for? To pick up the remaining cornichons […]

October 13, 2008

Packaging Whore: Toothpaste Mayo

by Kayoko Akabori

Sonja just got back from a summer jaunt in Switzerland (where she spa-ed and dined like a princess, and consumed a lot of yogurt), and she brought me back a little gift: mayonnaise! It’s really scary how well some people know me. The brand is Thomy, a condiment company based in Germany. The packaging for […]

September 25, 2008

Packaging Whore: White Cow Dairy Yogurt

by Kayoko Akabori

There’s a Murray’s Cheese right inside the Grand Central Terminal Market, so I took a gander at their yogurt section the other day on my way home from work. This brown cardboard wrapping caught my eye- no logos, just the expiration and yogurt flavor stamped onto it. Love it. 2 cute glass jars are snuggled […]

July 24, 2008

Packaging Whore: Fine Cheese Co. Crackers

by Kayoko Akabori

No joke, I’m the worst procrastinator in the world. I totally ditched out on our staff bowling trip today (lame) to come into work to try to get this report done that was due…2 weeks ago… oops!!! I had my evaluation yesterday with my boss who drew a huge X next to “Needs Attention” where […]