Thursday, March 31, 2011

Mikan Big Little Kit Kat

It's getting harder and harder for me to buy Kit Kats. When I was in Japan I could rationalize purchasing just about anything. I would buy Strawberry Kit Kats with only the slightest of variations if I found them in the 7-11 across the street. Purin Kit Kats in different incarnations - Chunky, Little, Mini, Regular from the Sunkus next to Toyohashi Station were a snore after awhile but they were there so why not?

Now that I'm back in the States and buying my Kit Kats online the thought of paying shipping for yet another Purin or Strawberry Kit Kat isn't as easy to rationalize. The latest craze in the Kit Kat world is releasing existing flavors but as Big Little Kit Kat. Big Little is pretty much the definition of an oxymoron and not enough of a twist to convince me to spend the money on international shipping. I did shell out for the Mikan Big Little Kit Kat but it will be my last. Only truly new flavors from here on out - or until I go into Kit Kat withdraw.

I did break down and buy the Mikan Big Little Kit Kat even though I've had other orange Kit Kats before. I rationalize it by telling myself I haven't had mikan yet. But still, it's really nothing very new. I challenge Nestle to wow me with some truly new flavors that I can get excited about.

But until then...the Mikan Big Little Kit Kat has 224 calories. In my little pack I got 9 large milk chocolate cubes. It's hard to tell if these are really bigger since I don't have a Little Little Kit Kat to compare too but I'd say the difference is minimal. They smelled orange-y although it was more of a kitchen cleaner citrus smell than of a ripe juicy mikan (mandarin orange). The taste was less artificial and really more of an afterthought rather than a dominant flavor, which I actually approved of. The cream was very creamy. The milk chocolate paired nicely with the orange flavor for an overall great tasting snack.


Big Little Mikan Kit Kat

I've had other orange incarnations but this might be one of my favorite. It actually makes me wonder if I shouldn't go ahead and just buy more of the Big Little versions after all. Thoughts?

Final Score: 7


This is my first post since the quake and tsunami in Japan. I hope that any of my readers living in that area are safe and sound. Personally, I'm relieved to report that all friends and acquaintances are safe. My thoughts and prayers are with those in the quake zone and I encourage you to donate to the relief effort, specifically to the Japanese Red Cross.

11 comments:

  1. I've never had the Big Little version of Kit Kat, but I just want to say that the combination of citrus and chocolate is my favorite in any product, and if it were me, I'd cut costs with all the other flavors of Kit Kat before I cut costs with a citrus & chocolate combo product. LONG LIVE CITRUS/CHOC FLAVOR! :p

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  2. The KitKat scene has been really boring as of late. The newest flavor was an almond bitter chocolate which was a fusion of two previous releases and none too exciting anyway. There is also a bag of two types of green tea minis, the orange and strawberry "big little" ones you mentioned, and tons of those "adult" KitKats (the dark chocolate ones). I've been utterly uninspired by the KitKats as of late, though I guess in desperation I could buy the regional ones (which seem to be available everywhere now).

    I think since the season for entrance exams is over, we're not going to see much, particularly with the quake slowing every business down.

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  3. Debbie - The citrus/choco combo is slowly growing on me. And this latest version from Kit Kat is my favorite so far.

    Orchid64 - I thought maybe it was just because I was back in the States that I was bored but it seems it's not just me. I hope they get their creative juices flowing soon but like you I don't have too much hope.

    Thanks for reading and commenting!

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  4. Wow, I have just learnt of all the Japanese flavours of KitKats and I would love to try some! I live in Britain and am already a lover of the original KitKat brand, do you have a link where I could buy the Japanese flavours online at all? Thank you!! :)

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  5. There's a real dearth of new flavours this year. I think Nestle Japan are rationalising, and either 2011's a belt-tightening year, or there's been a change of direction. Either way, it's almost May and there has hardly been anything happening this year.

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  6. You have the coolest blog around...

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  7. I live in Japan and been on the hunt for months and I can't find any special kit kats!! Pretty sad about it :(

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  8. This has got to be the definitive English language source on Japanese Kit Kat bars. If you wrote to Nestle's Japan telling them about your popular blog (highlighting their products) do you think they might ship you some free samples?

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  9. Johntaro - I've wondered that myself but I don't write Japanese well enough to compose a letter. I might have a friend of me write something for me though. Especially now that I'm paying international shipping. ;-)

    Anon and Amy - check out my Where To Find Kit Kat post, link in the sidebar for tips on where to buy online and in Japan.

    Overoften - The latest flavors are more repeats - albeit wide releases of previously regional only versions but it's making it hard for me to spend the money to ship it to Ohio.

    Thanks for reading and commenting!

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