"I'll come back later on to take away your trash," he promises, as he sets up a portable electric hot plate on the table. He snips open sealed vacuum packs of soup to pour into the hot pot.

The pioneer in bringing peace of mind to family or neighbours is Zojirushi, Japan's biggest maker of rice cookers and electric kettles, which in Japan keep water hot all day for tea or miso soup.

Sift the sugar and flour, and pour them into a soup port. Add the whole eggs. Use a handle electric mixer to beat completely until double size.