Thursday, December 16, 2010

Black Sugar and Kinako Kit Kat

I never made it to Okinawa in the three years I lived in Japan and recently I've really regretted that. First my friend "Sue" posted pictures of her recent trip there in all their blue watered and palm tree glory which I viewed during the first big snowstorm of the winter season here in Ohio and second I finally got around to trying the Black Sugar and Kinako Kit Kat I ordered awhile back, the black sugar being famous in Okinawa. Apparently this flavor has been around before and is just being re-released but it's the first time I've seen it. I wouldn't mind if it stuck around. Other than Strawberry my favorite flavors don't get recycled very often.

Kinako and Black Cane Sugar Kit Kat


These two minis have 68 calories each and are made with milk chocolate. As soon as you open the wrapper there is an intense aroma of brown sugar. That's the Kokutou or Okinawan black sugar. I've never had any other sweet made with this sugar but after sampling this Kit Kat I would love to try some more. The closest thing I've had to it is the hardened brown sugar crust that my mom bakes on top of her sweet potato casserole.

The black sugar perfectly complements the milk chocolate and really the kinako with its subtle nutty taste was lost among the black sugar. Supposedly it was hiding between the wafers but even there I noticed the stickiness that the black sugar added. It was really sweet but not too sweet which is something you get with darker sugars. Sweetness without going too far it makes your mouth hurt.

I don't know if this is still available in Japan but if you happen across it then I definitely suggest giving it a try. But if you live with other people I recommend getting several. I instantly regretting sharing the second of only two mini bars with my dad.

Let me know if you have tried other Kokutou (black sugar) treats because I'd love some recommendations of things to try.

Final Score: 8

8 comments:

  1. Ooh! I ordered some of these a few weeks ago and now I'm even more excited to try them! Last year when I visited Japan, I tried ice cream with black sugar syrup at a cafe. It was delicious!

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  2. I think I tried these awhile back, and wasn't happy with the way the black sugar and the milk chocolate worked together.

    I recommend the Morinaga black sugar caramels.

    http://japanesesnackreviews.blogspot.com/2008/10/morinaga-black-sugar-milk-caramels.html

    And the Double Cream brown sugar sembei (which is so fabulous):

    http://japanesesnackreviews.blogspot.com/2009/07/double-cream-brown-sugar-sembei.html

    They're wonderful. Also, there are these black sugar cookie-like sticks that are popular in Japan which are really good. The outside is a little crispy.

    http://japanesesnackreviews.blogspot.com/2008/09/oishi-delicious-black-sugar-marshmallow.html

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  3. Hi Jen, inspired by your example, I’ve reviewed a handful of Japanese Kit Kat flavours on my own blog, Cultural Snow.

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  4. Hi Jen, I live in Okinawa and different flavored Kit Kats are hard to find. May I ask where you order the KitKats online? Thanks!

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  5. ebidebby - Let me know what you think!

    orchid64 - Thanks for the recommendations. The Double Cream brown sugar sembei sound delicious. I didn't eat nearly enough sembei when I lived there.

    Tim - Thanks for the link. I love reading other people's opinion on the same Kit Kats.

    Anonymous - I buy mine from napajapan.com

    Thanks everyone for reading and commenting!

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