KIT-KAT
THE GREAT
ADVENTURE Lynne Francis, Akita
44
Back in my junior year of college, I spent one year studying abroad in Tokyo. During that time, I set a lot of goals: improve my Japanese, visit Tokyo Disney, and eat copious amounts of okonomiyaki. However, there was one goal I made that I have carried through into my time on JET: Try every flavor of Kit-Kat that I can find. I had read articles about such strange flavors as cheese, pineapple, and even soy sauce! The background of Kit-Kats in Japan is just as interesting as the many flavors they come in. The Kit-Kat brand came to Japan in the 1970s through the confectionary company Fujiya. In 2000, Nestlé bought their shares. A lot of successful marketing comes from the fact the word “Kit-Kat” in Japanese (キットカット, kitto katto) is very similar to the phrase “キットかつ” (kitto katsu “sure to win”), which is said by school children to wish others luck before exams. Even now, some students are given Kit-Kats before exams, and you can purchase ready-to-send Kit-Kat packages at the post office or even around New Year’s as gifts. Nestlé has produced over 200 flavors in Japan alone. A lot of flavors are based around famous foods from certain areas, such as Uji Green Tea for Kyoto. Kit-Kats of such unique flavors are sold as omiyage rather than snacks you buy at 3 AM at the convenience store. Occasionally, you can find seasonal flavors such as raspberry (summer) and pumpkin (autumn) at local stores.
The first flavor I ever tried in Japan was Hazelnut Strawberry. It was a strange combination of nut and fruit flavors. While not an appetizing flavor itself, it started my Ash Ketchum quest, collecting Kit-Kats instead of Pokémon. I only got more excited when after a few months in Japan for JET, the world’s first KitKat store was opening in Tokyo, and was said to sell flavors that weren’t available anywhere else. I knew that for my quest, I needed to try something so exclusive. The store had beautiful displays of chocolate and memorabilia. The store only sold less than 10 different items, including a CD which came with some regular Kit-Kats. Unfortunately, they had sold out of their limited edition “sublime bitter chocolate” flavor; only so many are made by hand daily. However, I was happy to buy some cream cheese and chili-flavored chocolates. At the time of writing this article, I have tried thirty-one flavors of Kit-Kats. My favorite flavor has probably been the Kyushu/ Okinawa-limited Sweet Potato flavor. Its light-purple color makes it playful, and the blend of sweet potato and white chocolate is not too sweet and leaves a good after taste on the tongue. The worst flavor I ever had was Yuubari Melon from Hokkaido. The after-taste left a foul, sour taste in my mouth. However, it was worth the experience of traveling an hour just to find a store that sold them. With so many flavors all over the world, my journey is neverending, but it’s a tasty road ahead of me.
FOOD
CONNECT May Issue 2014