KitKat

Produced globally by Nestle, (with the exception of U.S. licenced under Hershey), the KitKat chocolate bar has been enjoyed my many globally. Most can quote the catchphrase, "have a break...have a KitKat". The U.S. jingle "give me a break, give me a break, break me off a piece of that KitKat bar" is just as catchy. This two or four fingered, creamy milk-chocolate wafer candy bar has been around for 80+ years and now comes in a variety of flavours.

KitKat is the most popular confectionery treat in Japan. Pronounced Kitto Katsu, this translates to 'surely win'. Nestle has introduced more than 200 flavours over the years, including soy sauce, wasabi, green tea and ginger ale. The bars are made to pay tribute to the unique foods and flavour of Japan but to most foreigners, they seem strange. Some regions in Japan have their own signature flavour sold only in that part of the country. My sister thought it would be a fun idea to introduce some of the bizarre flavours to my nephews, so she ordered some Japanese KitKats on-line and captured it all on video.

 

For the past couple of years Andrew (aged 11) and Zachary (aged 9) have been making YouTube videos (check them out on their channel A2Z TV). Their previous videos include them judging various types of french fries, beaver tails (an Ottawa favourite), ketchup, Oreo cookies and Lays potato chips. Sampling eight different flavours of Japanese KitKats would be their latest venture.

The flavours:

 • Green Apple 🍏                                 • Matcha (green tea) 🍵
 • Cheesecake                                       • Raspberry
 • Sake  🍶                                             • Wasabi
 • Azuki (red bean)                              • Yakimo (sweet potato) 🍠

The first thing the boys noticed was the packaging. Both the writing and the pictures were strange. Most things in Japan are described as kawaii which translates to cute or adorable. In advertising, the Japanese will often add cartoons or pictures that are kawaii to draw in their customers. Even my ATM card had a Little Bob Dog cartoon on it. Kawaii is a term used often, describing everything from Hello Kitty to household items. The market is no longer geared towards teenage girls; people of all ages embrace the kawaii phenomenon.


Upon opening the packages, my nephews were surprised by the colour of the chocolate bars. In Japan, the colour reflects the flavour. Both green tea and wasabi were green in colour, raspberry was pink and sweet potato was yellow. The boys are used to chocolate bars being brown, with the exception of Zach's favourite Hershey's Cookies 'n' Creme which is white.
                           

Having never tasted green tea, wasabi, sweet potato, or azuki,  Drew and Zach did considerably well. They feared they'd become intoxicated trying the sake flavour, but after being assured there was minimal alcohol in the tiny bar, they agreed to try it. Green apple, cheesecake and raspberry flavours were what they expected, but not their favourites. The wasabi bar smelled like horseradish which is not a smell you'd normally enjoy with chocolate. You can taste the heat, yet it's strangely delicious.

Zachary and Andrew

You can watch their video by clicking here.

Top 3 picks:

Zach: Sweet potato, sake, wasabi
Drew: Green apple, wasabi, azuki


Both boys hated the cheesecake and raspberry KitKats. Perhaps their palates are ready for some natto (a gross fermented bean dish) or sashimi. I was pleasantly surprised they embraced this taste test with as much gusto as the french fry challenge.

If you ever find yourself in Japan and needing a break, enter the nearest konbini (convenience store) and pick up a KITTO KATSU. Just be careful of the flavour you choose!

~MT