This little Kokutou (Okinawa black sugar) and Kinako (sweet soy powder) Kit Kat is apparently highly sought after in Japan after a two year absence so I feel lucky to have stumbled upon one. Incidentally, it was while researching this strange flavour that I learned one of the reasons why Kit Kats are so popular in Japan. The name Kit Kat sounds very close to the Japanese “Kitto Katsu” which means “surely win”, so the Japanese believe that these little biscuits are lucky. School children take them into exams for good luck. So with a whole bag ful in my cupboard I must be feeling very lucky indeed, right?
This particular lucky charm gave off an appealing treacly smell once opened and had a treacly flavour with undertones of roasted something-or-other. It had an interesting, almost savoury aftertaste and put me in mind of all sorts of toasted cerealy things. Holli, who had the other kokutou and kinako mini Kit Kat in the bag said the taste put her in mind of “something fermenty”. All in all, very unusual and I can see why it is so sought after because, if you liked it, I can’t think of anything else that combines the same taste sensations. Perhaps if you ate a toasted peanut butter and treacle sandwich while drinking Guinness?