I've fallen in love with Gü, which makes indulgent desserts called puds (thick rich hot pudding) and ice cream. I was glad to see "mini puds" sampled on my recent flight from London to San Francisco (my wife wondered why I took a photo of my tray table). This brand is just a really simple, elegant, well-coordinated experience from start to finish, where the product is the star and the packaging tells so much of the story.
Plus, as a Häagen-Dazs alum who spent a fair amount of time with an umlaut (that's the double-pointed letter), I like how Gü made the umlaut part of its fun personality: "the shot of espresso in our fabü-lously Gü-ey hot chocolate souffle will give ü a double high! Deliciously served with a generous helping of Gü-d quality vanilla ice cream. Serve hot and Gü-zzle..." Somehow, with Häagen-Dazs, the umlaut always felt a bit snooty.
Their puds come in these cool glass ramekins. I like their posting on how to recycle them. We've been using them at home as espresso shot glasses and key holders.
I heard a story that the founder, James Averdieck, got up the courage to start Gü after mocking up a few rough samples and placing them in the chiller of a local supermarket. He waited down the aisle and made an agreement with himself that if someone bought one in the next 5 minutes, he would pull the trigger and start the business. A bit more fun than a volumetric study (quicker too).
yup, happened to me too on the way from london to sf. only i didn't have the handy camera. i've still got the top off the package though! got to find out where i can get my hands on this here in germany. any idea?
Posted by: adrian | September 09, 2007 at 11:01 AM