#Frozen Desserts Market

[chetanagp]

As per the report, the total market opportunity by 2030 is expected to be USD 136.13 Bn. The total market was valued at USD 96.74 Bn. in 2023 and it is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5 percent during the forecast period.

[research320]

Frozen Desserts Market to Capture a CAGR of 5.82% Between 2023 and 2030 While Touching Approximately USD 178.74 Billion by 2030-End – Report by Market Research Future (MRFR)

[strangemusictriumph]

Frozen Desserts Market - Forecast (2022 - 2027)

Frozen Desserts Market Overview:

According to the World Bank, roughly 4.5 billion low-income people belonging to the developing countries collectively spend $2.3 trillion a year on food and beverages product[1]. In the developed economies, this figure is even higher owing to the flamboyant incomes and luxurious lifestyle that people lead. Apparently, some part of this money is spent on desserts like ice-cream and other frozen food products which is flourishing the frozen desserts market that was valued to be $32 billion to $34 billion as of 2018, the demand is estimated to grow with a healthy CAGR of 6% to 7.5% during the forecast period of 2019 to 2025.

North America has observed a lot of technological advancements in refrigeration and conveyor methods over the years. These advancements are coupled with the fact that North America is one of the most robust economies in the world, and the residents have noticeably higher incomes than that in other countries. The high income chiefly enables them to spend on frozen desserts. This is a major driving factor attributable to the thriving frozen desserts market in North America. Furthermore, there are many companies such as Lantmannen Unibake USA. Inc., Schwan’s Company, Sara Lee Desserts, and others that are constantly expanding their portfolio which is catapulting the frozen desserts market revenue in the region.

Frozen Desserts Market Outlook:

Frozen desserts are food products based on flavored water in the form of shave ice, ice pops, sorbet, and snow cones; and they are made of milk solids or even vegetable oils. They are consumed as frozen cakes, frozen yogurts, and ice-cream which is their key application owing to the variety of flavors of the same available in the frozen desserts market. Moreover, the target customers show a predilection for ice-creams after meals, and that happens to be the reason for the considerably higher sales of ice-cream as compared to other frozen desserts. The consumption of ice-creams across the globe will observe a CAGR of 5% to 6% through to 2025. 

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Frozen Desserts Market Growth Drivers:

The Remarkable Rise in Disposable Income – 

There is a noticeable increase in disposable income across the globe. According to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), in developed economies, the year-on-year rise in disposable income was observed to be 3% to as much as 7.4% in 2016[2];  and further economic growth is aiding to the increase of the same. Moreover, developing economies are also observing a constant rise in disposable income. Apparently, people tend to spend this disposable income on consumable products that include frozen desserts, which is leading to a tangible growth in demand for the same.

The Emergence of Low-fat & Gluten-free Products – 

It’s discernible that the world is moving towards a healthy lifestyle which largely attributes to the growing awareness about health and wellness owing to the easy access to a lot of health-related content available on digital platforms. This is quite evident when the International Dairy Foods Association documents low-fat ice-cream as the second most popular category in dairy foods[3].  Subsequently, people are shunning from foods that have high-fat content or are detrimental to health. So, the vendors in the frozen desserts market are offering a variety of low-fat & gluten-free products that are garnering a significant amount of customers, which is increasing the frozen desserts market revenue. 

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The Diverse Marketplace for Frozen Desserts – 

There is a perceptible expansion in the frozen desserts marketplace over the years. The packaging industry coupled with the E-commerce sector has provided customers with the comfort-friendly facility of ordering frozen desserts online and enjoying the treat in their homes. This has a subsequent effect on their “whim factor” and has been an effective contributing aspect associated with the soaring sales of ice-creams and other frozen desserts. Additionally, a wide range of frozen desserts is sold in malls, departmental stores, multiplexes, and other distribution channels which further supports the frozen desserts market. 

Frozen Desserts Market Trends:

Hindustan Unilever Limited aspires to become the market leader in the frozen desserts market. In order to diversify its frozen desserts portfolio, the consumer products conglomerate had acquired Vijaykant Dairy and Food Products Limited (VDFPL) in August 2018.  

The veganism wave proliferating across the globe is highly influencing innovations in the frozen desserts market. This is to say that the vendors not only reinvent their product portfolio with new flavors but are also venturing into non-dairy products in order to cater to the growing demand from the vegan population that is going uphill since a few years now. 

In contemporary times, the world is becoming well-aware about inorganically manufactured food products and how they affect health. This has led to an upsurge in demand for organic foods which is replicating in the frozen desserts market wherein the vendors are reinventing production strategies to offer organic ice-creams and other products to the target customers. 

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Frozen Desserts Market Challenges: 

Even though there is a broad spectrum for frozen desserts market in the world, the major challenge in front of manufacturers is to maintain a balance between the current demand for vegan and organic products and the dwindling taste which is becoming detrimental to the global sales. However, the global desire for frozen desserts hasn’t gone down, and the diversification of the portfolio with tasty flavors is helping vendors to retain the customer base. 

Frozen Desserts Market Key Players Perspective: 

The key players striving to capitalize on the demand influx in the frozen desserts market are General Mills, Inc., Conagra Brands, Kellogg Company, Sara Lee Desserts, Van’s Foods, Mrs. Smith’s, Nestle USA, Inc., Lantmannen Unibake USA, Inc., and Campbell Soup Company.

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Frozen Desserts Market Research Scope:

The base year of the study is 2018, with forecast done up to 2025. The study presents a thorough analysis of the competitive landscape, taking into account the market shares of the leading companies. It also provides information on unit shipments. These provide the key market participants with the necessary business intelligence and help them understand the future of the frozen desserts market. The assessment includes the forecast, an overview of the competitive structure, the market shares of the competitors, as well as the market trends, market demands, market drivers, market challenges, and product analysis. The market drivers and restraints have been assessed to fathom their impact over the forecast period. This report further identifies the key opportunities for growth while also detailing the key challenges and possible threats. The key areas of focus include the types of frozen desserts market, and their market based of types such as ice-creams, frozen yogurt, and frozen cakes.

Frozen Desserts Market Report: Industry Coverage

The report analyses the product demands by the category of purchasing frozen desserts that is segmented into impulse buying and take-home. It also digs into the distribution channels in the frozen desserts market that include supermarkets/hypermarkets, food service outlets, specialty stores, and online stores.

The frozen desserts market report also analyzes the major geographic regions as well as the major countries in these regions. The regions and countries covered in the study include:

North America: The U.S., Canada, Mexico

South America: Brazil, Venezuela, Argentina, Ecuador, Peru, Colombia, Costa Rica

Europe: The U.K., Germany, Italy, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Denmark

APAC: China, Japan, Australia, South Korea, India, Taiwan, Malaysia, Hong Kong

Middle East and Africa: Israel, South Africa, Saudi Arabia

For more Food and Beverages related reports, please click here

[creativeera]

Ice Cream Packaging Market is Anticipated to Witness High Growth Owing to Increasing Demand

The ice cream packaging market has witnessed significant growth over the past few years owing to the rising popularity for artisanal and premium ice cream across the globe. Ice cream packaging assists in shielding ice cream from temperature fluctuations to keep it frozen until consumption. Packaging plays an important role in portraying the brand image and attracting consumers. Manufacturers are continuously focusing on innovative designs, materials and packaging formats like cups, tubs, jars, boxes for differentiated product offerings.

Global ice cream packaging market  was valued at US$ 820.9 Mn in 2022,  exhibiting CAGR of 4.0% from 2023-2030.  Market is likely to reach US$ 1,123.46 Mn by the end of 2030

Key Takeaways Key players operating in the ice cream packaging are Sonoco Products Company, Amcor Plc, International Paper Company, Sealed Air Corp., Huhtamaki Oyj, Amcor Plc , Linpac Group Ltd., Ampac Holdings LLC, INDEVCO Group, Tetra Laval, Berry Global, Stora Enso, and SIG. The key players are focusing on expanding their production capacities and geographical presence through mergers and acquisitions to capitalize on opportunities in emerging markets. The global Ice Cream Packaging Market Demand provides significant opportunities for manufacturers owing to the increasing consumption of novelty and premium ice creams. Innovation in packaging solutions to improve quality and shelf-life like protective films, pouches made of sustainable materials is fueling market growth. Furthermore, rising disposable incomes and growing preference for ready-to-consume ice creams especially among millennials is driving the global expansion of key ice cream brands in countries across Asia Pacific, Latin America, Eastern Europe and Africa. International players are investing heavily in R&D, sales & distribution networks across developing regions to tap the immense potential. Market Drivers Growing demand for convenience and on-the-go consumption of ice creams is a key driver for the ice cream packaging market. Attractive and portable packaging formats like cups and sticks are gaining popularity. Moreover, innovation and variety in flavors and ingredients is fueling ice cream purchases. Market Restraints Volatility in raw material prices like plastic, paper and metal can hamper market growth. Additionally, stringent regulations regarding usage of plastics in some countries pose a challenge. Recyclable and sustainable packaging development requires significant R&D investments and consumer awareness.

Segment Analysis The ice cream packaging market comprises of rigid packaging and flexible packaging. Rigid packaging dominates over 70% of the market share as it provides longer shelf life due to airtight and moisture resistant properties. Cups and tubs made from plastic materials like polyethylene and polypropylene are widely used for rigid packaging of ice cream in single serving sizes. This rigids segment growth is attributed to rising on-the-go consumption of ice cream. The flexible packaging segment is further divided into pouches, bags and wrappers. Pouches hold around 15% market share owing to the convenience of resealability. Pouches made from laminated films provide high barrier protection against moisture and oxygen. Bags and wrappers made from materials like plastic coated paper are used for bulk packaging of ice creams in wholesale sizes. Global Analysis North America remains the largest regional market for ice cream packaging, holding over 35% share. Growth in the US is driven by affordable access to packaged ice creams across retail channels and rising affordability. Europe follows North America closely with over 30% share led by countries like Germany, France and UK. However, Asia Pacific is emerging as the fastest growing regional market at a CAGR of over 5% during the forecast period. Rising middle class population, urbanization and increase in disposable incomes in countries like India and China is a key factor propelling the demand for packaged ice creams in the region.

Get more insights on Ice Cream Packaging Market

About Author:

Money Singh is a seasoned content writer with over four years of experience in the market research sector. Her expertise spans various industries, including food and beverages, biotechnology, chemical and materials, defense and aerospace, consumer goods, etc. (https://www.linkedin.com/in/money-singh-590844163)

[ama2024]

https://www.advancemarketanalytics.com/reports/28860-global-ice-creams--frozen-desserts-market

Ice creams & Frozen Desserts Market Status and Future Forecast 2024-2029

Advance Market Analytics released a new market study on Global Ice creams & Frozen Desserts Market Research report which presents a complete assessment of the Market and contains a future trend, current growth factors, attentive opinions, facts, and industry validated market data. The research study provides estimates for Global Ice creams & Frozen Desserts Forecast till 2029*.

Ice cream and frozen dessert are mostly consumed after a meal or can be taken as a refreshment between regular meal courses. These desserts are made up of dairy products mixed with fruits and flavours. The demand for Ice cream & frozen dessert is expected to rise in the forecasted period owing to growing awareness about food being consumed for natural and organic flavors added ice creams & dessert. Additionally, easy availability of these products owing to omnichannel retailing has strengthen the sales cycle.

Key Players included in the Research Coverage of Ice creams & Frozen Desserts Market are:

MaggieMoo’s Ice Cream and Treatery (United States), Ben & Jerry’s (United States), Unilever Group (United States), Dean Foods (United States), Dreyer’s (United States), Nestle (Switzerland), Kwality (India), Vadilal (India), Lazza (India), Cream Bell (India), Golden North (Australia)

What's Trending in Market: Growing Demand for Lactose Free Product Rising Demand for Organic and Natural Flavors

Challenges: Preserving the Frozen Product for Longer Duration to Restore the Taste and Quality

Opportunities: Rising Disposable Income in Low and Middle-Income Countries New Products Launch with Enhanced Flavors

Market Growth Drivers: Change in Consumer Eating Habits Fueled by Rising Disposable Income Rising Availability of Flavors of Ice Creams and Yogurts

The Global Ice creams & Frozen Desserts Market segments and Market Data Break Down by Type (Ice-cream, Gelato, Frozen Custard, Frozen Novelties, Sorbet, Others), Distribution Channel (Supermarkets/Hypermarkets, Convenience Stores, Speciality Stores, Others)

Get inside Scoop of the report, request for free sample @: https://www.advancemarketanalytics.com/sample-report/28860-global-ice-creams--frozen-desserts-market

To comprehend Global Ice creams & Frozen Desserts market dynamics in the world mainly, the worldwide Ice creams & Frozen Desserts market is analyzed across major global regions. AMA also provides customized specific regional and country-level reports for the following areas.

• North America: United States, Canada, and Mexico.

• South & Central America: Argentina, Chile, Colombia and Brazil.

• Middle East & Africa: Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Israel, Turkey, Egypt and South Africa.

• Europe: United Kingdom, France, Italy, Germany, Spain, Belgium, Netherlands and Russia.

• Asia-Pacific: India, China, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Australia.

[pravalika]

North America Ice-creams & Frozen Desserts Market - Forecast (2023 - 2028)

Ice-creams and frozen desserts are frozen foods traditionally eaten as snacks and desserts. Most of the ice-creams are usually prepared from dairy products such as cream and milk. Sweeteners, stabilizers, preservatives, flavors, colors and emulsifiers are added to enhance the taste and shelf-life of these products. Various cultures in the world have different varieties of ice creams and frozen desserts popular in their countries, for instance, Gelato and Kulfi are popular traditional frozen delicacies in Italy and India respectively. Nowadays ice-cream novelties and artisanal ice-creams exhibit higher growth as ice-cream manufacturers strive for product innovation for new customer acquisition.

North America Ice-creams and frozen desserts market exhibit a stable growth of 1.5% in the forecast period 2015-2020. Slowdown in the U.S. and Canada markets is estimated in the coming years owing to the aging population and saturated market. Mexico on the other hand has a very young demographic but its growth is restrained owing to unfavourable climatic conditions Gelato and frozen yoghurt exhibit strong growth owing to rising consumer awareness. Manufacturers are introducing new flavors and innovative packaging capture market share.

This report segments the North America Ice-creams and frozen desserts market by type and by channel with focus on the major economies of U.S., Canada and Mexico. Packaged ice-creams and frozen desserts market covers major categories like ice-cream and frozen novelties and other categories such as yoghurt, gelato and frozen custard. The report throws light on the major distribution channels such as supermarkets, hypermarkets, department stores, convenience stores, kiosk, ice-cream specialty shops and mobile vendors.

Sample Companies profiled in this Report are:

Unilever

Nestle

David Chapman Ice Cream Ltd

[yeahdigimon]

Cactus Fig and Lime Sorbet The cactus fig, a sweet, juicy fruit of the prickly pear cactus, is combined with lime juice in this recipe to create a light sorbet.

[luckystorein22]

Are there any Asian (particularly Korean) grocery store/s in Mumbai?

Are you craving the authentic flavors of Asia? Look no further because Lucky Store is here to bring the vibrant and diverse culinary traditions of Korea and other Asian countries to your doorstep in Mumbai! We are your ultimate destination for all your Asian grocery needs.

At Lucky Store, we understand the importance of finding the right ingredients to recreate those delicious Asian recipes you love. Whether you're a seasoned chef or just beginning your culinary journey, our store offers a wide range of authentic Asian products to satisfy your cravings and inspire your taste buds.

Are you specifically searching for Korean groceries in Mumbai? Lucky Store has got you covered! We take pride in offering a fantastic selection of Korean food products that will transport you straight to the streets of Seoul. From essential pantry staples like gochujang (Korean chili paste) and doenjang (fermented soybean paste) to popular snacks like remyan (Korean instant noodles) and seaweed sheets, we have everything you need to whip up an unforgettable Korean feast.

But that's not all! Lucky Store is also home to a diverse assortment of Asian ingredients from other countries such as China, Japan, Thailand, and more. You'll find an extensive range of spices, sauces, condiments, noodles, rice, fresh produce, and frozen goods that will allow you to explore the rich and captivating flavors of Asia from the comfort of your own kitchen.

Our mission is to provide our customers with top-quality products at affordable prices. We carefully source our products from trusted suppliers, ensuring that you receive only the finest ingredients. We understand that convenience is key, so we have created a friendly and accessible shopping experience both in-store and online. Our knowledgeable staff is always ready to assist you and offer recommendations, making your shopping experience a breeze.

So, whether you're planning a special Korean BBQ night, a sushi-making session, or simply want to experiment with new flavors, visit Lucky Store. Explore our wide selection of Asian groceries and let your culinary creativity take flight!

Remember, Lucky Store is not just a grocery store; it's a gateway to the vibrant and diverse world of Asian cuisine. Embrace the flavors of Korea and other Asian countries right here in Mumbai. Come and experience the Lucky Store difference today!

[sunrisesyner]

Don’t let the season’s best fresh fruit go to waste! Learn how to freeze fruit from your favorites now so you can enjoy them all year long. Read on to get tips for freezing, storing, and thawing fruits and vegetables.

[chetanagp]

The global Frozen Desserts market is set to delight taste buds and witness substantial growth, with a projected CAGR of 5% during the forecast period, reaching a sweet spot of nearly US$ 129.65 billion by 2029. 

[neha24blog]

U.S. Frozen Dessert Market Segmented On The Basis Of Product, Distribution Channel, State And Forecast 2030: Grand View Research Inc.

U.S. Frozen Dessert Market Segmented On The Basis Of Product, Distribution Channel, State And Forecast 2030: Grand View Research Inc.

San Francisco, 15 Nov 2022: The Report U.S. Frozen Dessert Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product (Ice Creams, Frozen Yoghurt, Sweet Treats, Tofu), By Distribution Channel (Retail, Food Service), By State, And Segment Forecasts, 2022 – 2030 The U.S. frozen dessert market size is expected to reach USD 46.39 billion by 2030, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. It…

[brothersonahotelbed]

and let me tell you something. when the girls say it's not about the hormones, it's not about the surgery, it's not about the makeup, it's not even about the clothes, they're right. i get called ma'am just as often, if not more, in a t-shirt shorts and no makeup as i do like this (🙍‍♀️). and a lot of that is disrespect, y'know. a lot of that is disrespect.

but you wanna know what it's about ? it's about ...going to the grocery store, or the whataburger. or? ...the food bank. i love the food bank. one time the food bank gave me salmon🐟steaks.🥩 they have butternut squash in the fall...🍂🍁one time they gave me hundred count box of like. blended fruit 🍇🍍🥭🍈🍎🍉🍊slushy that came from a mental hospital. . u,m i gave some to the parents around the neighborhood and then i gave the rest to a mutual aid meetup. y'know, like free market table. because what am i gonna do with a hundred 💯frozen fruit cups right? ..i ate a couple. they were good. cherry 🍒➕🍍pineapple. youknow, they were nice. but a hundred, that's a lot.

one time they gave me TWELVE chicken thighs in a ziploc bag. and i was concerned about the ziploc bag🤔.but i decided to marinate them.a little bit of rosemary 🌿.. i think, thyme,. and Sage. salt 🧂and pepper. a honey soy sauce marinade . it was delicious. Garlic.🧄⭐💯

you need to eat. it's about food. it's about fats and oils and omega 3. PROTEIN, alright? Get Some Fat In Your Diet. three (3) meals a day and two (2) snacks. and a dessert if you're nasty...if you're kinky. that's what it's about.

[lightgriffinsect]

you guys, in pakistan Ramadan is like the equivalent of christmas in the US when it comes to marketing and ads. Every food brand, everything has a Ramadan sale attached to it it’s wild. Some chain stores sell a whole Ramadan package with dates, milk, flour, oil/ghee, probably dahi, frozen samosas, rooh-afza, everything we usually eat. yknow like those big christmas packages with 60 different kinds of Godiva chocolates but it’s actual food.

Ramadan is more commercialized in Pakistan than Eid, and Eid is the actual holiday. Ramadan is a religious month that we fast in, not really a celebration. Insane.

Anyway for my non-Muslim friends, make a Muslim in your community happy by taking them out to a halal restaurant for Iftar. Ask them about how they practice Ramadan. Buy them Krispy Kreme for dessert. Be like that one guy on TikTok who woke up at 4 to prepare suhoor for his roommate. Learn more about Islam. Look out for the Muslims in your community. And for Allah’s sake, don’t stop talking about Palestine.

to the Muslims, Ramadan Mubarak, may your days be filled with peace and prosperity from Allah, may He answer all your prayers for this year.

Don’t forget to check your dates so you’re not accidentally beginning or breaking your fast with Israeli-grown ones. Pray Taraweeh if you can go to the masjid. Help your parents make iftar if you live with your parents idk. Have a blessed Ramadan everyone 🫶🇵🇰📿

[goodluckclove]

hey clove ! long fucking ask wow i apologize. this is just me rambling so conserve your brain if you wanna

i was thinking a lot about fancy foods today and had some interesting thoughts . i work at my local mall selling frozen macarons/chocolates/gelato and other pastries etc at a little kiosk in the middle of the food court for "luxury" prices (like almost 4 dollars per macaron). everything in the display cases is visually enticing - the macarons are brightly colored, the chocolates are in different shapes and colors and textures, the gelato is, ,, well you know how cute gelato is it's pretty damn cute. and the kiosk is white and generally pretty spotless as well, and the decor is french-themed cus that's the genre of stuff we sell. overalll it's marketing toward the WASPs of the area and their young kids. but something i've realized is that while everything we sell might be super yummy to look at, it's not really that yummy to eat. the macarons largely taste the same, and that flavor is mostly just almond. the colors are just colors, they're like froot loops. the gelato - which i've only recently properly tried - tastes pretty damn good (we sell a praline hazelnut one - OH BABYYYYY. i will be embalmed in that stuff when i die) - but the texture is just way, way off. it's grainy and just not like gelato at all. it feels like a scam or a multi level marketing scheme. its advertised as being super high end and bougie but it's really not.

compare that to the other restaurants in the food court. they're not glamorous. there's only a few chain restaurants; the rest have generic names, have fast-talking employees with beautifully diverse accents, have graphics with three different logo iterations and menus with low-quality photos. today i bought an egg and mozzarella crepe from one of these restaurants, and watched it being made while the employees threw friendly jabs at each other in a language i didn't recognize as an icon of the virgin mary gazed at them from the wall. the crepe wasn't pretty or brightly colored or aesthetically packaged. it cost me ten dollars with a tip and it was more food than i could ever eat. i sat crammed next to the sink in the kiosk using our big rubbermaid freezer cart as a table and tried not to cut the aluminum foil and styrofoam container along with the crepe. that thing made me so nostalgic and calm; the flavors were so familiar and comforting.

there's bigger nuances here than just "pretty food bad, unpretty food good", but it was a really interesting observation for me. i already knew my job was lowkey scam-ish, but to see real food actually being made without much fretting over how visually good it is to focus on how good for the eater it is - it was cool. i'm quitting my job soon. who knows, i might apply to the pancake place they're putting in.

anyway this was just a neat day, and i thought you might find it interesting. i hope you're doing well, and congrats again on blind trust !

God I loved reading this. Your descriptions of these two conflicting environments ring so true in my head. I'm gonna go ahead and drop a read more because I do have some food thoughts related to this and I'm also feeling like rambling.

Because we've all been there, right? The type of fancy bakery that sells a cake for like six dollars that looks amazing but is mostly moose or like stale almond cake. Macaroons are so enticing in theory, but because of the effort it takes to actually make them in the way they're intended they're surprisingly difficult to do right. You have a good macaroon and it's fucking worth 4 dollars, though. The combination of the crisp outer shell with the plush meringue and thick frosting. Plus they come in fun flavors - rose, lavender, earl grey. Yum yum. But a bad one just turns into paste in your mouth.

One of my favorite things in the world is what I call a medium-fancy dessert. It's usually a cake for me, although gelato would also suffice. It's something that feels fancy without losing that base level of quality and satisfaction. There's a bakery in Portland that stocks a 24-hour vending machine with their cakes (I know man it's crazy), and they're a pretty solid source of medium-fancy treats. They look pretty, but they have a ratio of soft, moist cake to quality frosting that really gives you a filling experience.

If that's not accessible, tiramisu works nearly every time for me. Plus it's not usually that more expensive than other cakes.

Compare that to smaller, usually immigrant-run restaurants that sometimes choose to let the quality of their food speak over the aesthetics of the storefront. What comes to mind when I imagine that is Sivalai Thai Restaurant, which is my favorite place for Thai food in my part of Portland. That's saying a lot too, since there are a TON of Thai places here for some reason.

Riley and I order from there a lot, and the portions are really good. The Thai Iced Tea is delicious. But I'm always impressed by the little touches the owners add - mainly how they always throw in a free portion of mango sticky rice, but also that they don't mind packaging a container of their Prik Nam Pla, which is like my favorite Asian condiment ever. It's Thai chilis and green onion in fish sauce and it is this insane mixture of sweet tanginess and sharp, fresh spice. I just learned how to make a vegan version from scratch and it's changed my life.

What I've loved to do in food service is combine these two experiences. I worked at Zupan's which is a boutique grocery store here in the Pacific Northwest, and one of my favorite things to do was provide an extra homey quality to the place that is otherwise asking you to pay like seven dollars for a bag of Doritos.

We had a different meat special at the deli every day, and on Sunday (I think) it was prime rib. Like, actual prime rib - very good, very expensive. A serving for one person would be like thirty bucks. We were allowed to give out samples though, so I'd summon like everyone I saw and invite them to try it.

They'd all love it, of course. It was fucking spectacular. Crispy, but with the perfect amount of rich fat and meat. Delectably salty. Rubbed with herbs and spices that would char as it smoked on the grills outside the store. It was truly remarkable stuff - but I'm not about to push cooked meat that's like sixty bucks a pound, maybe more.

What I would say, though, is that while Sunday is our prime rib roast day, we cut the ribs off in advance and cook them up for people to buy on Monday. So you can essentially get the deliciousness of the prime rib for like a forth of the price. People always seemed to like to hear that.

Food takes care of people, you know? And the people that serve food also take care of people. And I've always found that to be an incredibly important thing. If I am ever in a situation where I have to go back to a conventional full-time job, I'm far more likely to go back to food service than copywriting. I feel like I did much more good waiting tables at a Denny's than I did writing pest control websites for my bullshit media job.

[laurelled-by-lavender]

midnight lovers

pairing: sugawara koushi x fem!reader content warnings: written with chubby reader in mind, reader’s hair is long enough to be tied up (colour, texture, etc. is not mentioned), roommates to lovers, fluff, kissing, some suggestive parts - (light choking), mentions of food, one (1) very mean and aggressive guy, koushi is ready to fight. word count: approx. 3.5k

these were the nights you loved the most. 

a fortuitous meet-up in the kitchen at 11:00pm between two roommates, unsuspecting of what’s to come later in the night. 

it was one of those kinds of nights. 

neither of you could sleep, though, it didn’t bother you. you just had to find a way to occupy yourselves. feeling quite hungry, you propose going to the super market for a late night snack spree. suga happily agrees. you don’t bother changing out of your pajamas, and neither does he. you, in your oversized shirt and sleeping shorts, and koushi, in a white wife-beater and plaid navy blue pants. 

within 5 minutes, you’re in suga’s car, pulling into the dark and empty parking lot. on any other day, this parking lot would be scary, and much too anxiety-inducing to even walk past. but tonight, with suga, it felt so right.

the minute your enter the store, you’re already going separate ways. 

“drinks?” suga asks.

“yep. snacks. meet me in the frozen desserts section in five.”

“alright, see ya.”

four minutes roll buy, and you’ve collected all that you need, so you head over to the frozen aisle a minute early to scout the possible treats to choose from before koushi comes to meet you. eyeing the many different varieties of popsicles, ice cream flavours and cakes, you try and decide what it is that you’re the most in the mood for. usually, you would’ve chosen ice cream in a heartbeat. but tonight didn’t feel like an ice cream kind of night. you sigh and ultimately conclude that you’d have to consult suga when he got to you. 

you stand there for a good 45 seconds before he spots you. your back is turned to him, and he sees you sigh. it’s a cute sight, he thinks. your hair is up, and your shirt’s collar is so stretched out, it falls, resting just below your shoulder. you’re wearing your slippers and fluffy socks, and carrying quite a few boxes. you’re practically cradling the snacks in your arms as though they were your babies. he chuckles lightly and advances towards you, holding out a shopping basket in order for you to place your items inside, along with the drinks he picked out. you sound relieved as you dump everything inside. koushi then takes a look at all that you grabbed and gives you an approving nod. 

you turn back towards the freezers,

“it doesn’t feel like an ice cream kind of night...” you voice your thoughts from earlier.

“true... kinda vibing with the popsicles” he responds.

“you read my mind.”

“should we just get the assorted ones?” he asks

you nod and open the door to grab the box, then proceed to make your way to the cash, suga following shortly behind.

the cashier offers you a smile and greets you when you get there. you don’t notice the look he gives suga. 

but koushi definitely sees the way the cashier was looking at you.

“late night spree, i’m guessing?” he inquires.

“oh, yes.” you say with a smile as you load the items onto the conveyor belt. 

suga stands still, holding the basket out to you as you converse with the man. he stares at him, piercing glare never wavering. the man’s smile may be pretty but, lord if it wasn’t recognizable. sugawara was never one to judge someone by their looks, but he knew the type. 

and you. how sweet you are, completely oblivious to the way the cashier is blatantly checking you out. licking his lips, dragging his half-lidded gaze from your face, to your collar-bones and shoulder, to your legs. he’s nodding along to what your saying, but koushi spots the way the man’s eyebrows jump up a bit at the sight of your legs. hell, he hasn’t removed his eyes from them since the minute he first saw them. in fact, he’s so entranced, he doesn’t realize that you’ve finished loading all your items, and that you’re ready to pay. it’s now that you notice his stare. feeling incredibly uncomfortable, you take a cautious step back, and clasp your hands together at your stomach in an attempt to ease your distress. 

suga’s always wanted laser vision growing up, but he’s never dreamed of it so badly as he did right now. he fantasizes of many situations, all of which involve very violent acts towards the cashier in question. gods, he wants to knock his teeth out.

but he doesn’t. instead, he lets out,

“excuse you, but i’d like to pay now.” suga says in the coldest tone you’ve ever heard from him.

the guy gets defensive instantly, and looks at koushi in disdain. he has no shame in his response.

“the fuck d’you say to me?”

“you heard me, keep your filthy eyes off of my girl, and let me pay.”

you blush at the way he addresses you, but think nothing more of it, knowing he’s only defending you and putting on an act. if anything, you found it endearing, how he would take it as far as to call you his girlfriend in order to protect you. 

the cashier says nothing for a couple seconds, and it essentially turns into a staring match, one daring the other to say something else. 

suga wins. 

the guy behind the counter looks away, feigning indifference when he says,

“whatever, she’s probably a slut anyways.”

koushi takes a breath, ready to yell, scream, jump over the conveyor belt and strangle the guy, but before he can do anything, a woman who you can only assume is the manager, wearing a bright red button-down vest and laminated name tag, cuts in.

“is everything okay over here?” 

you see her side-eye her employee as he responds in a brief and clipped tone,

“fine. we’re fine.” he says

though, all she needs is one look at you to know that everything was not, in fact, fine. she turns to you and suga, sympathy written all over her face,

“i’m so sorry for any inconveniences, it won’t happen again. your items are free of charge.”

before either of you can respond, she’s calling him into her office in stern tone you’d never wish to be on the receiving end of. 

the walk back to the car is silent, and the quiet ensues as you enter. he sits in the driver’s seat with his hands on the wheel, you in the passenger seat with bated breath. you hands twiddle, unsure of what to say. you didn’t want him to be angry.

“i should go back there and punch him.” he breaks the silence.

“no. no, i really don’t think you should.”

“but-”

“it was fucked. i know, but it’s okay. you were there with me. i’m safe.” you try to reassure him.

“he made you upset”

“and it happens. some guys are shit. it sucks, but it’s the way the world works. we’ll contact the managers tomorrow and make sure he gets fired if it makes you feel better? i’ll even put on my best crying voice, just for you. make it real dramatic, he’ll be out of there in no time.” you say.

at this, he lets out a breath that sounds like a chuckle, but it’s short-lived. 

“i really want to go back there. fuck, no one should ever speak to you like that. or even look at you like that. you don’t deserve that shit.” he says, exasperated.

“please, let’s just go. c’mon, we’ll go on a drive or something.” you try to sway him.

“okay, you’re right, i’m sorry.”

there’s a pause. though, it only lasts for about ten seconds until he’s up and out of the car, taking the snacks with him and walking towards the back of the store. extremely confused, you’re quick to follow him. 

“w-where are you going?” you ask, tripping on your slippers a little as you jog to catch up to him. 

“i’m taking you to my favourite spot.” he responds, as he locks the car without stopping or turning around.

“oh, great. woulda been nice of you to tell me the plan before putting it into action, or whatever, but that’s cool.” you say sarcastically.

“doesn’t matter, i knew you’d follow me anyways.”

you don’t say anything back, knowing he’s absolutely, one-hundred percent right.

he leads you to the back of the store, which was very shady, figuratively and literally. there was a single functioning light bolted to the brick wall of the store. you watched as dozens of little mosquitos and moths fluttered and flickered about it, bumping off the cracked plastic panes which enclosed the bulb. he led you a little farther down the alley, past the light and into the darkness. you could barely see him, so you decided to follow the sounds of his footsteps... until they stopped. naturally, you stopped walking too and looked around, though you were met with nothing but more darkness.

“this.... is your favourite spot?” you question cautiously.

he laughs,

“no, yn. give me your hand.”

you struggle to find him in the dark, so he hold his hand out to meet yours. 

ever so gently, he wraps his grip around your wrist, and leads your hand to the wall. it lands on something very cold and rusty and metal. he lets you feel around for a couple seconds.

“a ladder.” you say with a smile. of course, you thought to yourself. of course, it’s a ladder.

he gets up first, and uses his phone’s flashlight (finally) to show you where and where not to step as you follow. it doesn’t take long before you’re up and on the roof. it was glorious. this high up, you could see all the lights. street lights and store lights, lamp-posts and car lights. he walks over to a small hidden box, and opens it up to reveal several fluffy blankets. 

“and now, we have all that we need!” he exclaims.

“how’d you even find this place? s’ not very often that you find easy access to the roof of a building like this.” you ask, still admiring the view.

he notices you shiver. the wind was much more apparent up here, so he begins setting up the blankets to form a sort of nest for you guys to sit and hangout as  he tells you how his friend had once dared him to explore the back alley as a joke when they were all hanging out in the parking lot one night. that’s when he found the ladder. he called his friends over to check it out and they dared him 2,500 yen to try and climb it. seeing how rusty it was, they didn’t actually expect him to do it. it looked as though it would crumble under the weight of a feather, but still, he went on with the dare. 

the result was a nice hangout spot and a couple extra yen in his pocket. 

“do you know if anyone else comes up here?” you ask.

“not that i know of. that ladder may just be enough to shake off anyone attempting to get up here. if it weren’t for the dare, i never would have even attempted to climb something like that! it looked like it would break any second. that’s why, afterwards, i made sure to memorize where to step when climbing it” he explains.

“awe, look at you with your sneaky little spy moves. you could be secret agent, y’know. you’re very agile.” 

he chuckles “thanks, but i think i’m good.”

by this point, he’s finished setting up the blankets so you go to join him. he sets out all the snacks, chips, cookies, iced tea, popsicles.

you both sit there, as if you were the only two people in the world. it surely felt like it, snacking, talking, sharing secrets, reminiscing.

“so, any pretty people worth talking about? you crushin’ on anyone?” 

you ask with a giggle and a smile, though, deep inside, you’re desperately praying that he says no. you’ve liked him for far too long, and seen him fawn over far too many people to know that his type isn’t you. but even so, you can’t help but ask every once in a while. 

“um, actually, yeah.” he admits slowly. shyly.

you’re quiet for a while. he’s never been apprehensive in admitting his feelings about anyone. especially not to you. 

could that mean he really likes this person?

could he love them?

“oh.” is how you respond. you try not to look or sound disappointed, but he knows you all too well. it’s not difficult to figure out that something’s bothering you. not when you go quiet, and certainly not when you look out on the horizon, obviously avoiding his gaze. 

he’s watching you. you know it.

from the corner of your eye, you see him staring at you, a slight frown on his forehead as he tries to figure you out. 

koushi knows you can see him. 

he also knows that you’re purposefully avoiding his eyes in an attempt to evade the rest of the conversation. hoping that if enough time passes in silence, he’ll let it go and the topic will have been forgotten. but he doesn’t let it go. you’re acting strange, and he’d like to know why.

do you like someone too?

or do you already know that he likes you?

that thought makes his heart stop. could that be why you’re looking away? the last thing he wants to do is make you uncomfortable or ruin your friendship.

do you not feel the same?

he purses his lip, disallowing his bottom lip and chin to quiver and concentrates on the burning in his tear-ducts, willing it to go away.

you finally turn your face back to him after a long while. he’s thankful that it’s dark enough that you can’t see the glassy shine in his eyes.

you speak very quietly when you ask him,

“do you love them?”

his breath is practically taken away. did you really know? was he so obvious? 

the air around both of you suddenly feels heavy. 

he doesn’t want to be dishonest with you, so instead of giving you a ‘yes’ or a ‘no’ he asks,

“how long have you known?”

“known what?” you question back.

he hates that you’re making him say it out loud, but if this is how your friendship ends, he’d much rather be open and clear about it.

“that i’m in love with you.”

you’d never seen him so look helpless. he looked like a kicked puppy, and it honestly shattered your heart.

“how long have you known?” he asks. 

confused, you question back,

“known what?”

he pauses before answering in the most dejected voice,

“that i’m in love with you.”

surely, you heard that wrong. surely, he couldn’t be talking about you. he must be joking. messing with you, as friends do. you wait for the punchline. you wait for him to say anything, but he doesn’t. it’s then, when you realize that he’s serious. it’s also then when you realize how long you’ve gone without responding to him.

when you finally process it all, you look to him, but he’s no longer sitting cross-legged on the blanket beside you. no, he’s curled in on himself, head ducked into his arms, resting on his knees. 

he took your silence for rejection. 

“oh, my love. my angel, no, nonono, it’s okay. please, it’s okay.” you rush to his side clumsily, your blanket still wrapped around your shoulders as you caress his curved back before making your way to his front, trying to take his face into your hands.

he keeps his eyes scrunched shut, hard, as he tries to turn his head to keep you from holding it.

his lips turned downwards as he lets out,

“no. don’t wanna ruin what we have. please, don’t wanna hear it. i already know.”

there’s a pause, and he takes a deep breath. with his eyes still closed, he repeats,

“i already know..” he sounds defeated.

“please, koushi. look at me.” you beg gently, stroking his tear-stained cheeks with your thumbs. 

he gives in. of course he does. he’d do anything for you. 

when his eyes peel open, they’re watery and red. he looks so vulnerable as his lips quiver. fresh tears threaten to fall as he realizes once again that this is probably the end.

“do you mean it?” you ask.

he didn’t think his heart could break further. 

he nods without breaking eye contact. he looks from one eye to the other, searching your face for something. anything. he has no idea what you’re thinking, or what to take from this whole mess.

finally, you let out a breath, though it sounds more like a sob. his brows furrow slightly, in hope and confusion. you drop your forehead and rest it against his, palms still cupping his cheeks. 

“i’ve loved you for so fucking long, koushi..”

lips quivering and eyebrows furrowed, a breath of relief and disbelief stumbles from his lips. it’s shaky, and he lifts his head to look into your eyes, searching for a lie, for pity. but he sees none of it. 

“you have?” he asks, as if he can’t believe it. 

you nod, with a small smile, “i really have. and i do. i couldn’t even tell you because...” you trail off, just the idea of it making your chest feel tight.

“because?” he urges you to continue

“i thought you were in love with someone else!” you cry as the tears finally roll down your cheek. 

“fuck, baby, im so sorry.” he out breathily.

“no, don’t apologize. you couldn’t have known.”

“i should have been more obvious. or.. fuck, i shoulda just told you. you mean everything to me, baby. i shoulda just told you.”

“it’s okay.” you whisper, kissing his eyelids. you pull back to look into his eyes once more. “you’re my favourite person in the whole world. you make my heart happy and i couldn’t fathom a life without you in it. i’m sorry it took so long for me to tell you. i didn’t want to risk losing you because you’re so so special to me. i never thought that you could want me.”

“i’ve wanted you ever since i’ve known you.” he responds. there’s a silent moment where you’re both just looking into each other's eyes. lips parted, breaths mixing. his eyes dart down to your lips. 

“can i kiss you?” he asks in a whisper. you can only nod.

it’s nothing like the movies. his lips don’t rush to yours, and there’s no clashing of teeth. 

not yet, at least.

he’s careful in the way his lips approach yours. when they meet, it’s soft, but there’s an unmistakable desperation. he tastes sweet, the remnant juices from the watermelon flavoured popsicle he had earlier still on his lips. 

he’s holding back, but still, he’s slow in his movements. his hands snake to your cheeks holding your face firmly. the backs of his fingers then drag down the sides of your neck. his left hand stays at your neck, placing itself there, while the other continues it’s tantalizing path. his other hand moves down your exposed shoulder, down the length of your arm, then back up, just to make it’s way down to your waist. the kiss never falters. not on his part. 

he’s wanted this for so long. and you have too, but god, he’s making it hard to stay focused.

you whimper slightly into the kiss, the feeling of his hands on your body so much and not enough all at once. 

he can’t help himself. his left hand, the one on your neck, experimentally winds itself around the column of your throat, squeezing ever-so slightly. he’s testing the waters. your breath only stops. not from the little pressure he applies, no, but from how weak you feel. you’ve never seen him like this. and you’ve never felt like this. 

he pulls away ever so slightly. he’s stopped kissing you for now, but his lips haven’t travelled too far. 

“is this okay?” you’re so close his bottom lip brushes against yours as he asks the question. 

“yes. yes, please.” he brings his lips back to yours. he’s not holding back so much this time, using his grip on your neck to pull you closer. to deepen the kiss. 

“you’re so perfect.” he whispers into your mouth. you can only tangle your hands into his hair.

you stay like that for a while, whispering to each other, kissing each other. proclaiming your love for each other and making up for all the time lost. for the years you spent pretending to be friends. roomates. best friends, when you were truly so much more than that. you were soulmates.

midnight lovers.