First, the Japanese arm of Nestle sought to satisfy adventurous tastebuds by releasing sweet potato, wasabi and green tea varieties of Kit Kats.
Now, the masterminds behind the confectionary’s current are pushing the chocolate envelope a step further – off the land and into the sea.
From Thursday 2 February, Tokyo locals and tourists alike will be able to sample the whacky but ingenious new Kit Kat range: sushi. That’s right: sushi chocolate!
Three confectionary sushi snacks will soon be available to consume in Kit Kat form – sushi tuna, sea urchin and sushi omelet.
If these flavour combinations sound challenging, take heart: the idea behind the new sea treats is more homage than reality. Although the sweets will look like sushi, they will taste very much like flavoured chocolate and wafer.
The range will feature puffed rice, molded into the shape of sushi rice, topped with Kit Kat chocolate made to look like a piece of sushi.
Sushi Kit Kat is presented wrapped in bamboo leaves, so consumers are encouraged to eat it with two fingers just like a real piece of sushi.
The creator of KitKat’s quirky flavour range is also one of Japan’s best chocolatiers – Yasumasa Takagi, owner and head chef of the famous Japanese patisserie, . So although chocolate sushi may sound odd to some Aussies, it’s sheer chocolate-making brilliance that’s set to tap into the Japanese adoration of seafood.
“Each individual piece is carefully crafted by a chocolatier,” reads the Nestle Japan announcement.
“Sushi Kit Kat offers a unique visual interpretation of sushi to go along with its extravagant taste created through the combination of KitKat and its crunchy texture paired with the texture of puffed rice covered in couverture white chocolate and a hint of wasabi powder.
“Sushi Kit kat is presented wrapped in bamboo leaves, so consumers are encouraged to eat it with two fingers just like a real piece of sushi.”
also reports that it tested the waters for these new flavours by introducing a Sushi Kit Kat on social media on April Fool’s Day 2016. The company announced that response was incredible and so, three new sushi flavours were born.
A Nestle statement describes how each sweet will be created. Firstly, it says, sushi tuna Kit Kat will be formed upon a base of puffed rice and white chocolate. The topping will boast a raspberry taste “similar to tuna that combines white chocolate with subdued sweetness and the tartness of raspberries”.
The sea urchin sushi KitKat is made from a puffed rice and white chocolate base and Hokkaido melon with mascarpone cheese top. (Nestle Japan) Source: Nestle Japan
The base of the sea urchin variety will also be puffed rice and white chocolate but Kit Kat’s chocolatiers will use Hokkaido melon with mascarpone cheese for the top layer.
Finally, the omelet Kit Kat base will mimic the other two flavours, but will feature a pumpkin pudding topping.
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The range is part of a Nestle marketing stunt. The flavours are being released to celebrate the opening of Nestle Japan’s ninth Kit Kat Chocolatory (chocolate café) located in the upmarket Tokyo shopping precinct, Ginza.
Sushi Kit Kats will only be available from February 2 until Valentines Day, February 14. They can’t be purchased individually but rather presented as a three-pack gift to the first 500 customers who spend 3000 Yen (around $35AU) or more during the specified period at the Ginza store.
Nestle Japan also plans to provide a new service at the Ginza Store, where customers can create their very own original Kit Kat in store using the toppings of their choice. However, the company has not stated when this service will begin.
