Monday 18 June 2012

Number 20: Raspberry Kit-Kat

With so many flavors of kit-Kat to chose from, it can be easy to miss some of the simpler tastes. While the UK has only a few basic kit-Kat flavors, around the world there are hundreds.

Recently I found a flavor I think most Brits would welcome: Raspberry.

I have to say that the first taste was actually better than the second. This kit-Kat has the unusual property of getting worse the more you eat it; a direct opposite of the cheese kit-kats from last year.

While the raspberry taste isn't too bad, it quickly takes on a slightly chemical nuance and somewhat spoils that first hit.

But, only slightly. This won't stop me from buying a few more packs before they go out of season. If you get a chance, try them. They are pretty good.

Thursday 26 April 2012

Number 19: Maccha Milk Jam

If there's one food that fights against melonpan for top place on my taste buds It's Maccha. Maccha is powdered green tea and quite bitter as a drink. But, mix it up a little with milk, chocolate, bread, cream or anything else you can think of, and it instantly becomes delicious.

From St.Cousair I came across a pile of Maccha Milk Jam pots. Although a little expensive I couldn't resist and bought a pot to try. I haven't been disappointed. This is well worth the money.

The taste is smooth and not too sweet, making it a perfect accompaniment to anything. My first trial was with the old favorite: Toast. Second: crackers. Third: sandwiched between two biscuits and fourth: out of the jar with a spoon. Nothing is too good for this one.

I'm thinking next it might make a welcome accompaniment to some chicken. (Worked with both Nutella and chocolate. Seriously... Nutella and chicken sandwiches are amazing.)

I would fully recommend this to any Maccha fan. It's exactly the right mix of maccha and milk to create that smooth and sticky dream you've been waiting for.

Go on...you know you want to.

Thursday 12 April 2012

Number 18: Choco-Korokke

In the bustling seaside town of Kamakura, where a giant Buddha silently meditates and hawks circle overhead watching for unsuspecting tourists to avert their gaze from snack-onna-stick, I happened upon a small hidden shop selling Chocolate Korokke.

Korokke is usually made by mixing meat, seafood or vegetables with mashed potato, then deep frying in a mixture of egg, flour and breadcrumbs. They are, as a non-desert food, one of the most delicious Japanese dishes available.

However, this unusual Chocolate Korokke was a little disappointing, and to be completely honest I prefer the traditional brand.

Don't get me wrong, it was certainly delicious and worth the 200yen I paid for it. The coating is excellent for korokke, and the crisp feeling of that first bite is exquisite. However, it simply wasn't sweet enough. The chocolate is quite bland and to my British taste buds seemed to be missing about half of it's sugar content.

With a bit more sugar this korokke could be amazing. I would also like to see a custard version. Or perhaps, dare I suggest, melon custard.