Flavor Lab workshop w/ Asato Family Shop
In May 2024, Vivistop Honolulu hosted a two-day Flavor Lab Workshop with one delicious goal: to create a custom Vivistop sherbert flavor for an upcoming fundraiser. The workshop was made possible through a generous partnership with Asato Family Shop, who offered to donate 250 pints and cups of the winning flavor to support our creative space.
Day 1: Flavor Brainstorming and Tasting
The first day was all about tapping into creativity. We kicked things off with a tasting table full of candies and sodas: sour belts, gummies, cream soda, you name it — to inspire bold, kid-centered flavor combinations.
After exploring different taste pairings, the youth came up with four original flavor concepts, which they would later bring to life in a taste test. But Flavor Lab wasn’t just about what goes inside the container — it was also about how it looks.
Asato Family Shop is known for its creative, stamped label designs on traditional Chinese takeout containers, so our participants also spent time designing custom logos and artwork to match their flavor ideas. From colorful lettering to playful iconography, each design reflected the personality and spirit of the kids behind it.
Day 2: Making Sherbert & blind taste test
On the second day, Neale from Asato Family Shop joined us at Vivistop to bring the flavor ideas to life. He walked the group through the step-by-step process of sherbert-making, sharing insights into flavor balance, texture, and technique.
Even more special, we used the very machine Neale started his business on to churn the four sherbert batches. Once the flavors were ready, we held a blind taste test. After a lot of thoughtful (and loud) debate, the winning combo was clear: passion fruit and Sour Patch Kids.
The kids named it “Passionate Kids”, a name that captured both the punchy flavor and the spirit of the workshop itself.
A Sweet Fundraiser
Passionate Kids sherbert made its official debut at Vivistop’s 2-Year Anniversary & Fundraiser Event on August 9, 2024 and it was an instant hit. A huge mahalo to Neale and Asato Family Shop team for making this collaboration possible. And to every young flavor-maker who brought their ideas to life — this wasn’t just sherbert. It was a snapshot of what youth-led creativity tastes like when it’s given room to grow.
