The expert named the reasons for the popularity of bento cakes in Russia

Sales of bento cakes increased by 86% in 2024, and they are ordered five times more often than regular cakes. Veronika Peretyagina, head of the Flowwow Partner Engagement and Support Department, told Izvestia about this on April 13.

According to her, bento cakes gained mass popularity about three years ago. These mini desserts weighing up to 600 g are designed to be eaten with a spoon, like cakes. Today, they are prepared by both self-employed craftsmen and large confectionery factories, and hundreds of training courses on their preparation can be found on the Internet.

"Customers customize about 60% of these cakes: they add their own inscriptions or choose their own prints. We live in the era of social media, when not only the taste of dessert is important, but also how it will look in photos," explained Peretyagina.

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She claims that vintage Lambeth-style cakes decorated with cream roses, ruffles and satin bows are particularly popular. Since last year, the trend has been complemented by edible sequins, which create the effect of sparkling fireworks when blown out.

An important success factor was the affordable price. The average cost of a bento cake is 1,735 rubles, which is 2.5 times cheaper than a traditional cake weighing 1.5 kg. At the same time, mini desserts often offer the opportunity to apply individual labels and images at no additional cost.

Peretyagina also notes that the popularity of bento cakes corresponds to the current trend towards conscious consumption. Small portions are ideal for occasions when a holiday is celebrated in a small circle or when a person is watching their diet. On average, one bento cake is divided into two to three portions and eaten in one evening, which eliminates the problem of storing leftovers in the refrigerator.

Earlier, on March 4, Elena Ignatikova, deputy chief physician of the KDC NMIC of Therapy and Preventive Medicine for clinical and expert work, internist, nutritionist, told Izvestia how to avoid obesity. According to her, obesity often begins in childhood. The doctor advised parents and children to play sports together. You can make physical activity a tradition, such as playing soccer or riding bicycles together after school. Children between the ages of six and 18 should devote 60 minutes of physical activity daily, the therapist emphasized.