Inspired by a trendy Chinese term popularized among the younger generation in recent years, 朋克养生, which translates as “Punk Health” that represents a phenomenon of half-hearted attempt by younger people to get a grasp on their health, TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) Herbal Punch Jelly aims to revolutionize the consumption of Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicinal drinks in an easy, fun, sustainable, and innovative way as a response to this cultural phenomenon. TCM Herbal Punch Jelly is a nutritiously rich, flavorfully tasty, and aesthetically appealing sugar-free, eco-friendly, shelf-stable plant-based snack that incorporates the wisdom of traditional Chinese herbal medicine into everyday hustle and bustle. Packaged in recycled aluminum tubes that are reminiscent of artist paint, TCM herbal punch jelly stands at the intersection of food, medicine, and art, unfolding an artful way of living healthy while having fun. 

 

The TCM Herbal Punch Jelly celebrates creativity and can be enjoyed in various ways. The most common way is to directly squeeze it out of the tube and consume it like smooth and chewy cold jelly noodles. One can savor the convenient and easy-to-store TCM Herbal Punch Jelly with a resealable aluminum cap on the go anytime and anywhere. At the same time, the solidifying agent used in the TCM Herbal Punch Jelly is agar-agar, and it transforms into liquid when reaching 80-90 Celsius; one can also consume it in liquid form after heating the tube in water, drinking it alone as a shot packed with nutritious ingredients any time of the day, or experiment with it and use it as a premix for any non-alcoholic or alcoholic beverages cold or hot.

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*TCM Herbal Punch Jelly is designed for an innovation snack assignment in a food design class at NYU in 2023.