Trade fair judges sweet on 'innovative' Korean cookies from SPC Samlip

SPC Samlip's Carearth Yakgwa cookie has been selected as one of the top innovative new products showcased at the international food industry trade fair Anuga in Germany, primarily for its innovative wheat-free composition.

SPC Samlip's Carearth Yakgwa unveiled at food and beverage trade fair Anuga being held in Koln, Germany, from Oct. 7 to 11 [SPC]

SPC Samlip's Carearth Yakgwa cookie has been selected as one of the top innovative new products showcased at the international food industry trade fair Anuga in Germany, primarily for its innovative wheat-free composition.

The Anuga Taste Innovation Show attracted 7,890 products submissions from participating companies, according to SPC Samlip on Monday. The jury selected 68 products and concepts that excelled in terms of creativity, innovation, sustainability and execution.

The Carearth Yakgwa cookie is crafted from a blend of rice flour and soybean pulp, remaining a gluten-free delight even for consumers with sensitivities. It used rice grain syrup for sweetness and ginger ale for a neat flavor.

As implied by its name, a fusion of 'care' and 'earth,' reflecting its commitment to sustainability, the Korean bakery brand repurposed soybean pulp generated during tofu production and employed packaging materials made from recycled plastic.

Yakgwa, a traditional Korean dessert known for its sweetness and chewy texture usually consumed by the older generation, has lately been enjoying a resurgence in popularity among the youth as well as foreigners.

"We plan to further expand the export of our yakgwa products, including the award-winning Carearth Yakgwa, with the aim of solidifying them as Korea's representative dessert offerings," a SPC Samlip official said.

BY SEO JI-EUN [seo.jieun1@joongang.co.kr]