Ever tried oyster caramel?
No? I don’t blame you. It sounds like a euphemism for bad seafood but it’s actually a sweet innovation.
Take a stroll down Dotonbori in Osaka, and you’ll see arguably the most famous sign in Japan. It features the iconic running man of Glico, a 102-year-old Japanese confectionery brand.
While everyone knows the sign, few know the story behind it or even the brand’s name. Glico is derived from glycogen, a key ingredient in their caramel that made them famous. And here’s where the magic of observation comes in.
Riichi Ezaki, the founder of Glico, was a man with a vision. While others saw discarded oyster broth, he saw opportunity. Ezaki learned that this broth was loaded with glycogen, a compound that could revolutionize the candy industry.
Inspired by his son’s recovery from typhoid fever after receiving glycogen from oysters, Ezaki set out to create a caramel that was not only delicious but also healthy. In 1922, “Glico Caramel” was born, promising the energy to run 300 meters in every piece (hence the running man).
Ezaki challenged the confectionery world and won. Today, Glico generates over $2.3 billion in annual sales, all because one man dared to think differently.
The lesson? Keep your eyes open and your mind even more so. Question the status quo. The next groundbreaking idea could literally be thrown out in front of you.
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