Zojirushi’s Colorful Flip-Open Mugs are the Perfect Back-to-School Companions

Stainless Mug SM-SR36E/48E/60E

As the summer wraps up, you know what that means – back to school! There are so many things to prepare, as the new school year begins, including keeping your student hydrated and refreshed throughout the day. With Zojirushi’s Stainless Flip-Open Mugs (SM-SR36E/48E/60E, SM-WR36E/48E/60E), your child will love taking a sip every chance they get, especially when they’re filled with tasty drinks. Today we share why our product of the month is an essential back-to-school item, as well as tips to maintain this mug to last for many school years to come. Let’s dive right in!

Meet Our Product of the Month

Stainless Mug SM-WR36E/48E/60E

  • Choose from 9 different colors: Yes, you heard that right! Start the school year off in style with any one of our attractive colors, including Mint, White, Silky Black, Matte Gold, and Pearl Pink for the SM-SR36E/48E/60E. If you’re looking for even more color options, the SM-WR36E/48E/60E comes in Mint, Cantaloup, Light Blue, and Dark Gray. The color choices help differentiate your child’s bottle from their siblings, your morning coffee, or even their classmates.

    Ultra-lightweight and compact design

  • Pick your size: The compact and ultra-lightweight mugs come in three different sizes, conveniently fitting in any backpack or schoolbag. Weighing between 6-9 oz. empty, these mugs are light as air. They come in  20, 16, and 12 oz. sizes so there is one that is just right for everyone. We find that the small bottles are great for younger children, while the larger bottles are perfect for on-the-go hydration on long school days or after-school sports.

Air vent on the mouthpiece allows beverages to flow out smoothly without gushing or overflowing

  • Designed for easy drinking: The 2-step lid releases at the click of a button and helps prevent excess condensation on the stopper from being flung as the lid opens. This protects other items in the child’s locker or backpack, as well as their desks as they move from class to class. Additionally, the air vent in the mouthpiece ensures that the flow of beverages will always be smooth, and the mouthpiece also completely disassembles for easy cleaning. It’s a win-win: no messes while drinking, no messes while cleaning!
  • Safety Lock: Flip-open lids are convenient, but not when they accidentally open in your bag and spill your drink all over. Zojirushi’s flip-open lids have a safety lock, so even if something pushes against the open button, it will keep it from opening. The tight fitted lid also prevents spills and helps keep your drink hotter or colder.
  • Superior vacuum insulation technology: Our mugs are made with high-quality 18/8 stainless steel and will keep your drinks hot or cold for hours. This is especially important if your child has afterschool activities and are craving a cold drink to quench their thirst. If they enjoy warmer beverages, for example before their choir debut, this mug will also support those temperature needs.

Pro Tips on Using and Maintaining Your Stainless Mug with a Flip-Open Lid

  • Wide mouth opening: The large opening makes pouring drinks into the mug super easy and fits full-size ice cubes. This is great for busy parents who value every second when getting the kids ready in the morning.
  • Nonstick interior: Makes cleaning and maintenance a breeze, while also keeping out stains and odors. And what’s more, all areas of our mugs that come into contact with your beverage are BPA-free.

    Stopper disassembles for thorough cleaning

  • Keep Clean: Zojirushi lids are designed to disassemble for easy and thorough cleaning. The parts should be cleaned after every use with a soft sponge and a mild dish detergent. Then, they should be allowed to air dry fully before reassembling. This will keep the lid as hygienic as possible and ready for use!
  • Open the Lid All the Way: The flip-open lid has a spring at the hinge, allowing the lid to open completely, and then stay in-place, so it doesn’t close on your nose when drinking. If you’re holding your bottle towards the top when opening the lid, your hand can be obstructing the lid from opening completely, so stay clear of the opening lid.

Green Tea White Virgin Sangria

Delicious Drinks to Add Flavor to the School Year

One of the best ways to prep your child for the school day is by making sure they’re hydrated, whether they’re studying diligently in the classroom or participating in their extracurricular activities. Of course, water is our number one recommendation, but if your child needs more creative ways to stay hydrated, these easy and nutritious recipes will have them reaching for their Zojirushi stainless mug to refresh themselves throughout the day.

  • Green Tea White Virgin Sangria: A fruity and delicious drink that can be enjoyed by the whole family and a great way to keep your child cool on a warm day.
  • Cold Buster Soothie: Go back to the basics with a little warm water, lemon juice and honey to add a soothing touch to any day as we ease into autumn.
  • Fresh Fruit Tea: Use your child’s favorite fruits, whatever you have on hand that’s in season, or any of our recommendations. This versatile tea has a sweet and delicious aroma, that’s a fun and festive way to work on your child’s hydration.

Did you try any of these recipes for back to school? Which mug is your favorite color? Be sure to share your experience with us on social by tagging your photos on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram! #Zojirushi #ZoFan #ZoRice

 

The Perfect Way to Keep Drinks Ice Cold for Your Summer Party

Summer is our favorite time to catch up with our family and friends while sitting and enjoying the weather outdoors. For the importance of both hospitality and hydration, serving ice cold beverages is essential for these get togethers.

Our product of the month, the Stainless Steel Vacuum Carafe SH-RA15/19, is a durable carafe that will work overtime to keep your drinks cold for up to 10 hours. This will allow you to focus on entertaining and spending quality time with your loved ones, and not refilling the ice bucket. Nothing beats cooling down and relaxing from the August heat with an ice-cold drink in hand.

This carafe is able to retain the beverage’s temperatures for so long because it features Zojirushi’s iconic vacuum insulation technology. What does vacuum insulation mean? It means that air between 2 walls is removed, to create a vacuum. When there is a vacuum, heat can’t escape through conduction, keeping hot contents hot and cold contents cold.

Did you know that our company name in Japanese is Zojirushi Mahobin? Mahobin means “magic bottle” or “vacuum insulated bottle”!

If you’re curious to learn more about this feature, then learn more here: Design Explained – Our Superior Vacuum Insulation

More About our Famous Carafe

Our product of the month also features a one-touch pour design that makes serving easy, a convenient screw-off lid for zero-hassle pouring, and a 2.5” wide opening that makes cleaning it a breeze and attaching brewing attachments super simple.

The model SH-RA15 holds up to 1.5L (6 cups), and model SH-RA19 holds up to 1.9L (8 cups). Both come in two colors: Stainless (-XA) and Brown (-TA).

One-touch pour for easy serving

Convenient screw-off lid

2-1/2” extra wide opening

Summer Sips

Here are some of our favorite summer coolers that you can make and store in your new carafe, for your next get together:

Iced Black Tea

  • Iced Black Tea: A simple classic that will wake you up on a sunny afternoon and keep you energized for your daytime activities. Customize it by adding sugar or milk and remember to clean out the carafe after each use.
  • Strawberry Limeade: A refreshing, fruity mocktail that features strawberry, mint, and lime. So delicious and light!

    Shaka Plantation Tea

  • Salted Watermelon Juice: Nothing says summer like a glass of hydrating watermelon juice! Salt adds a savory component and brings out the flavor of watermelon.
  • Shaka Plantation Tea: This Hawaiian pineapple juice and tea drink will quench your thirst on any day, and the added pineapple slices act as an extra tasty snack!

Snacks on the Go:

If you’re looking to make and store snacks for your guests in advance, consider looking into our food jars.

These containers feature the same vacuum insulation as our carafe, to keep hot foods hot, and cold foods cold for many hours.

Zo tip: Preheating or pre-chilling your carafe or food jar before filling it with your beverage or food will ensure the temperature won’t drop (or rise) when you fill them. In turn, keeping it hotter or colder for longer. Is the vacuum insulation too good that your food or beverage is too hot to eat or drink? In that case, allow it to cool a bit before putting it in the food jar or carafe.

Browse our top food jar recipes here and shop our full line-up at the Zojirushi Shop.

Do you have a favorite summer recipe from the above or a signature recipe of your own? Be sure to share with us on social by tagging your photos on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram! #Zojirushi #ZoFan #StainlessSteel #VacuumInsulation

Bake it Your Way with Zojirushi’s Home Bakery Virtuoso Plus BB-PDC20

One of our favorite things to do in the summer is spending time with our loved ones while enjoying freshly baked goods. We are excited to share more about our Product of the Month, the Zojirushi Home Bakery Virtuoso Plus (BB-PDC20) because as the name implies, you can access all your favorite baked goods from the comfort of your own home.

With just one appliance, you can make many delish treats, including various loaves, doughs, cakes, and even noodles and jams. Plus, you can enjoy various types of breads using the different settings such as white, wheat, multi-grain, gluten-free, and vegan — just to name a few. With this breadmaker, becoming a pro-baker is just a press of a button away. Keep reading to learn more about what makes our product of the month so special.

Meet Your Personal Baker

This Home Bakery Virtuoso Plus (BB-PDC20) is a versatile appliance that comes with many different features and an expanded healthy menu course options that include: Multigrain, Whole Wheat, Rapid Whole Wheat, Gluten Free, Salt Free, Sugar Free and Vegan.

This breadmaker was built with functionality and design in mind. The dual heaters on the bottom and top lid of the breadmaker promote even baking and browning. The double kneading blades knead the dough with superior results and are removable for easy cleaning. The baking pan is nonstick coated, making it easy to wash and maintain, and the large LCD display makes navigating the menu a simple task, even when making complicated baked goods.

Not all baked goods are created equal. The breadmaker was designed to take your individual preferences into consideration, it allows you to control how dark you’d like your crust (light, medium, dark). Additionally, aside from preset functions, you can also save up to three customizable memory settings for your own special recipes.

The appliance makes 2-pound loaves with ease, and with the rapid course functions, you will be able to bake a loaf of White or Whole Wheat bread in only 2 hours and 25 minutes. While the European setting bakes light and savory breads.

Each Home Bakery Virtuoso Plus (BB-PDC20) comes with a liquid measuring cup, nested measuring cups, a measuring spoon, and a full-color recipe book with fifty delicious baking ideas. Our website has additional recipe ideas for the curious baker, along with helpful instructional videos should you need help setting up or using your appliance.

Home Baking Your Way

Now that we’ve gotten to know the Home Bakery Virtuoso Plus Breakmaker a little better, let’s talk about some fun recipe ideas you can try for this summer.

This breadmaker will be the perfect all-in-one baking companion that the whole family can enjoy, from making bread and spreads for outdoor picnics, delicious sandwich breads for your on-the-go adventures, to DIY pizza nights for fun family nights in. Here are some of our favorite recipes:

Bacon Pain d’Epi with Coffee Spread

Show your talented baking skills off at your next summer gathering with this decadent bacon and coffee-filled artisan bread. Not only is it nice to look at and delicious to eat, but it is a super fun activity for kids learning to roll and weave dough!

The dough requires only water, lemon juice, flour, salt, and yeast, and pressing the “DOUGH” button on the breadmaker and it will do the rest of the work for you. Keep in mind, yeast is a living organism. For it to make your bread fluffy, it’s important to use fresh ingredients (not only the yeast but everything else). Once opened, try to use the yeast up as quickly as possible, and refrigerate anything left over to maintain freshness.

Don’t forget to let the bread cool before you enjoy!

Gluten Free Green Tea Bread and Mango Jam

You can truly get creative while sticking to your dietary preferences with the Home Bakery Virtuoso Plus. This Green Tea Bread is a great gluten-free option that has a tiny hint of sweetness with a subtle note of delight from the green tea. Select the “GLUTEN FREE” setting on the breadmaker, set the crust control to your preference, press START, and Voila!

Zo Tip: As you’re making loaves in the breadmaker, there may be times that the bread might get a little stuck in the bread pan. Try gently wiggling the wing nuts under the pan. This will move the kneading blades slightly, releasing them from the bread. Don’t forget to wear oven mitts and not turn the wingnuts too much though, or you might get a big hole in your bread!

Did you know, you can also make Mango Jam in your breadmaker? Our exotic mango jam recipe is dense with a unique texture, packed with a powerful tropic flavor that will pair perfectly with any bread, pancake, scone, or yogurt. It is perfect for lunches, snacks, picnics, or to accompany your breakfast spread!

Gluten Free Smoked Salmon Salad Pizza

Feeling more confident with your home bakery and ready to take it to the next level? This gluten-free smoked salmon pizza has a soft and crispy crust, with healthy and tasty ingredients such as brown rice flour and olive oil. Remember, using a measuring cup to measure dry ingredients will always cause variations in weight, which is not ideal. All of Zojirushi’s recipes will include weight measurements for all ingredients. Using a digital scale will ensure accurate measurements, but it’s also convenient because you don’t have to worry about remembering how many cups of flour you put in the pan.

How did your home baking creations come out? What do you love most about the Zojirushi Home Bakery Virtuoso Plus (BB-PDC20)? Let us know by tagging your photos on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram! #Zojirushi

Meet the Newest Member of the Zo’ Family: Umami Rice Cooker NL-GAC 10/18

Happy May, Zo’ Fans!

We are so excited to introduce the latest addition to our rice cooker lineup, the Umami Rice Cooker NL-GAC10/18.

This versatile, multitasking machine makes the perfect rice or one-pot meal with its advanced Fuzzy Logic technology and has the most cooking settings in the Micom category, it’s truly one of the most industrious rice cookers we’ve ever made. Are you ready to learn all about this rice cooker’s impressive features and why it may be the perfect rice cooker for you? Let’s get to it.

The Umami Rice Cooker At-a-Glance

The Umami Rice Cooker NL-GAC10/18 comes in two sizes, 5.5 cups or 10 cups capacities. Both sizes come in a sleek metallic black exterior that adds a unique touch to any kitchen, and its modern profile and upgraded settings make it truly best-in-class. This rice cooker also features an easy-to-read LCD screen with pre-programmed settings like a delay timer, auto keep warm, extended keep warm, and reheat.

Perfectly Paired: More on Parts and Accessories

The Umami Rice Cooker NL-GAC10/18 is easy to store and clean with its detachable power cord. The appliance features a removable and washable inner lid, 1.5 mm thick nonstick coated inner cooking pan, and a clear-coated stainless-steel lid, making cooking and cleaning a breeze. Like the rest of our products, customers can rest assured knowing that all of the food-facing parts are BPA-free. Additional accessories that come with this rice cooker include a steaming basket, rice spatula, spatula holder, and measuring cup, so you’ll be fully prepared to make the perfect rice (or meal) every time.

Settings

This machine’s versatility is unmatched. Our Umami Rice Cooker’s intelligent micro computerized technology enables multiple menu settings and cooking functions, allowing users to make several varieties of rice – and access functions, like slow cook and steam.

Even though there are so many settings and menu options, this machine is designed to be easy and user-friendly. All you have to do is click the setting you want, and the rice cooker will do the hard work for you.

A Guide to the Umami’s 12 Settings:

  • The quick white and quick Jasmine features reduced cooking time for dinner in a snap
  • The GABA brown rice setting activates the rice for increased nutritional value
  • The steam setting cooks meats and vegetables without the need for added fats or oils for a nutritious and delicious meal
  • The slow cook setting to whip up soups, stews, and one-pot meals you can savor later
  • Perhaps one of the most exciting settings of this machine is the namesake Umami feature, which makes sweet, soft, fluffy, and flavorful rice through extended soaking and steaming
  • Other settings include white, brown, mixed, sushi/sweet, porridge, and congee

Tips and Tricks for Your Umami Rice Cooker NL-GAC 10/18

Can you guess how long you should keep your rice warm in your rice cooker? Some customers will keep their rice for 4-5 days, but we recommend keeping your rice for only 12 hours to maximize taste. Not to worry, with this machine’s Extended Keep Warm feature, you can keep your rice up to 24 hours, as well as reheat the rice at the touch of a button with the Reheat feature.

Instead of keeping your rice in the rice cooker for days, refrigerate or freeze your leftover rice to enjoy later. Store leftover rice in a container or wrap tightly in plastic wrap to retain moisture. When you’re ready to eat it, microwave it and use it for fried rice or rice salad!

With the new steam feature, you’ll be able to cook your favorite flavorful meals without the guilt. Pack the steaming basket like the image below after adding water to the pan and select the steam menu setting for perfectly cooked vegetables. Did you know, meats and fish can also be steamed?

Looking for more recipe ideas? Zojirushi.com has plenty of exciting recipes you can cook in your Umami rice cooker. Try our Chesapeake Crab Carrot Rice on the Jasmine setting for a fun dish that is effortless to make. Remember, when using our recipes, to note the product the recipe was designed for and adjust accordingly.

Which exciting feature are you looking forward to using on your new Umami Rice Cooker? Be sure to share your dishes with us on social by tagging your photos on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram! #Zojirushi #ZoFan

 

Making the Most of your Single Lid Stainless Mugs

Hi Zo’ Fans! Our product of the month for April is our SM-ZA and SM-ZP Stainless Mugs with a one-piece lid. This Stainless Mug actually comes in two models because it comes in multiple sizes, with 8 uplifting colors that are perfect for the season.

The SM-ZA line is simple and sleek, holding up to 20 oz. of your favorite hot or cold beverages or foods. The Pale Orchid and Mint Blue colors add a pretty pop of springtime color, while the Slate Black and Pale White are sophisticated for every occasion.

The SM-ZP line is the smaller, more expressive sibling, topping off at 8 oz. and labeled with cheerful quotes and sketches that take you to relaxing scenes in nature. It’s there to remind you to breathe, take it easy, and enjoy life, as you should! In addition to these graphics, the SM-ZP mugs come in four 2-tone colors, which are Latte Beige (-TZ), Dusty Blue (-AZ), Ash Green (-GZ), and Smokey Pink (-PZ). Cute and stylish, this stainless mug is a great companion to take on-the-go because of its compact design and eye-grabbing colors.

What makes these SM-ZA and SM-ZP Stainless Mugs so unique is that they have a gasket-free, one-piece lid that is easy to clean and prevents the loss of parts. The wide opening makes the drinking experience more like drinking from a regular cup, and the wide opening also accommodates full-size ice cubes for easy filling.

Made with BPA-free plastic and stainless steel, the mugs feature an easy-to-clean nonstick coated interior that is easy to clean in a snap. A special manufacturing technique also ensures that these mugs are ultra-lightweight!

Looking for delicious recipe ideas to carry around in your Stainless Steel mug? Keep scrolling for our suggestions to quench your thirst.

Green Tea White Virgin Sangria

Try this fruit-packed refresher that uses cucumbers, lemon & lime, apples, kiwifruit, as well as green tea, grape juice, and cinnamon. You can use your Zojirushi VE Hybrid Water Boiler & Warmer (CV-DCC40/50) for the boiled water or go old school on the stove.

Zo tip: Have you owned your water boiler for a year? If so, then it’s time to inspect the inner lid gasket and lid for signs of wear. The inner lid gasket or lid should be replaced when it’s becoming rigid, cracking, or experiencing discoloration. Replacement parts for water boilers are available on our Parts & Accessories page.

Oh So Soy Latte

This warm pick-me-up is also a delicious dairy-free treat, combining soy milk, espresso and sugar to your taste. If you like your coffee hot, it’s a good idea to preheat your mug by pouring warm water from a Micom Water Boiler & Warmer (CD-NAC40/50); this ensures that the heat from your drink is not absorbed by the mug and stays in your drink instead.

Zo tip: When warming water in your Zojirushi Water Boiler, don’t put it in the sink when filling: Water boilers have important electric components on the base, and if placed in the sink, they may get wet and damage them. The best way to fill the water boiler is to use a container like a pitcher and fill it. Doing so will ensure all electronic parts are safe and dry.

Fresh Herb Tea

For a simple and aromatic beverage, this tea will become your go-to. Simply set your Micom Water Boiler & Warmer (CD-WCC30/40) to 208°F, and grab some lemongrass, mint stems, and sage leaves.

Zo tip: Did you know that the water boilers need to be descaled with citric acid at least every 3 months? Minerals like calcium will accumulate on the interior surface and, if not cleaned, will cause dispensing issues and may damage the interior. Careful maintenance of your water boiler will ensure its optimal performance. Take a look at our instructional video for step-by-step instructions on how to clean your water boiler.

Which Stainless Mug is your favorite, and where will it take you? Be sure to share your experience with us on social by tagging your photos on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram! #Zojirushi #ZoFan