Shin-Chan Gummy, Cola

 

Quite a simple little candy here, just a cola gummy. With a Shin-Chan character on it. I don't watch Shin-Chan though, so all I see here is a lady with very buggy eyes. Maybe that's her reaction after eating the gummy? Not sure if that's good or bad.

The packaging actually completely fooled me here and I thought it was the ramune variant because it appeared blue through the white filter so I assumed it was ramune. It's a little disappointing to have another cola gummy but they always bring a nice strong flavor. This one in particular seems to be no exception from the smell.

The gummy has a really nice texture, not chewy but quite soft actually, like slightly more solid jelly. The flavor I'm not enjoying quite as much as that texture. It's not as bold as the smell, and seems to lack sweetness as well to help bolster that. In fact, it doesn't taste like too much of anything. And with that tiny of a gummy it better be memorable. This was at least pleasant but definitely not any kind of taste experience that stands out.

Rating: 3 - Rrr

Peach Coca-Cola

Quite a simplistic pick for the drink item in TokyoTreat this time around, it's Coca-Cola! But peach flavor. I can imagine this working out very well if the peach flavor is just right, but if it's too strong or too weak it won't be all that great. Of course once again I have to bite the bullet and deal with carbonation, but I'm used to it at this point.

Like most Coca-Cola, the peach version seems to take on a dark brown color, with plenty of bubbles running throughout. The scent of cola as normal is drifting up to my nostrils. The one difference here seems to be that there is a light comforting fruity sweetness added to it as well, which I'm sure is the peach. Still not sure how this will translate over to the taste.

Tasting it, the peach seems to be more on the subtle side, I get a lot of cola from this drink, but only a little bit of peach to accent it. Though the little the peach does seem to add goes a long way, as it adds a bit of well-needed comforting softer sweetness to the normally strong and harsh cola flavor. This makes it almost better than the normal Coca-Cola for me, what is normally a strong drink is toned down into a lighter but still sweet taste. As someone who normally wouldn't touch a Coca-Cola, not bad.

Rating: 7 - Aroof!

Kracie Popin Cookin Burger

Meat! AWRUFF! Okay so it's not actually meat, and thankfully I've already eaten dinner so it won't get my mouth watering like it is, but this DIY kit still looks mighty tasty. The bun could use a little more brown, but two patties on one of the burger, plus the fries look nice and potato-ey! My tail is wagging, telling me to dig in, but first I gotta make it.

As usual, we got packets, placemats, a molds, and two utensils! How exciting, not having to do everything with just a spoon or pick. Surprisingly low number of molds too, I see the hamburger buns, the cola, a stripey one for the fries, and a deeper one. Guess it does help that every component of a hamburger is round except for the cheese.

Pepsi Strawberry Shortcake

Once again, why does Japan get exclusive flavors of normally US products? It doesn't make the slightest bit of sense, unless everyone there has a refined palette like I do and wants to experience new things. But I still think this would sell very well in the states. It also is possibly mislabeled, saying it's Christmas Cola instead, and I'm not even sure what buyers would consider that to be... peppermint? Eggnog? Though from reading, it seems it was in fact offered in Japan during the holiday season.

Not even any pink tinting here, this soda is completely white in color, which I suppose could represent the cake portion of the strawberry shortcake. In turn it's also a more peculiar strawberry taste than most, where I do get more of the angel food cake taste with just a hint of strawberry. Not exactly sure what the angel food cake flavor is, maybe finally and egg?

Drinking a bit of this soda reveals a very similar flavor. The strawberry is subtle but I think after all the strawberry in this box I actually prefer it to the punch-in-the-face strawberry flavors of the others. This also meshes better with the existing cola flavor, providing a lighter note in there to balance out the flavors. The strawberry seems to just be the proverbial garnish to top it all off. While I would not normally drink Pepsi, this is way more refreshing and light than I'm used to, to the point where I don't even mind the bubbles that much. It's not sure to be my go-to drink, but Pepsi did a very good job of creating a flavor that is a bit different than the usually heavy soda flavor.

Rating: 8 - Rowf!

Sour Long Gum, Cola Flavor

Once again, I can't blame TokyoTreat for this since my previous cola gum came from another box, but the amount of cola gum I'm getting in these boxes is certainly starting to get old. Regardless, this is supposedly a popular variety in Japan, and as the name implies, it is sour. Let's see what we have in store.

One difference about this gum from other cola gum is that is brown. Whether that is due to ingredients or artificial colors remains a mystery, but it certainly adds to the perception of what it'll be. As usual I get the standard strong cola flavor, and at this point I'm beginning to wonder if there's any variation between these.

I first notice putting the gum in my mouth that it is certainly more sizeable than the other ones, and VERY flavorful! While most cola snacks are a direct cola gut-punch, this one softens the cola flavor a bit with some other flavor that I can't make out, maybe caramel or something, but whatever it is, I'm appreciating this milder take on cola. Even as the flavor begins to wane it's quite pleasant, the texture of the gum is also quite soft, like a gummy pillow. Interestingly enough I'm not getting much of a sour flavor as advertised, but maybe it was there at the beginning. However the amount of gum also becomes overwhelming after a bit of time, making my puppy teeth show their might a little more than they're used to. I am impressed though how the flavor seems to last a bit longer than other gums. I think overall if presented with the three cola gums I've had so far, this is the one I'd go for.

Rating: 8 - Rowf!

Gumish Cola Flavor

A cola gummy. Hmm that seems familiar... maybe just because I had one in Japan Crate last month? Regardless, I can't blame this for happening since they're separate companies (though both should stop putting those bland milkshakes in their boxes...). And really, cola flavored anything from Japan never disappoints so I have high hopes for this one too. One thing cool about this is I got 5 of these packs! TokyoTreat does this for one snack every month so you can share them with your friends! Or just gobble them up on separate days...

The appearance is very different from the other cola gummy. There's a two-colored bottle shape, with some kind of powder on the outside. I've never known quite what this was with other gummies, is it sugar? I'll do a lick test either way. Though these are seen often on sour candies, so maybe this will be sour. Smell wise it's the same as every cola treat, a rich, strong cola flavor.

A lick test, reveals the powder on the outside to be not sweet, so this is indeed a sour gummy! I can see that working very well in combination with the cola flavor. Of course also being a curious pup I have to see if the top and bottom half taste different, and they in fact do! The bottom flavor is much heavier than the top one. They're both cola flavored nevertheless. The cola flavor itself is its usual bold self, although the sour coating adds another layer to it. I'm not sure if I like this or the other one better, both give a different experience. Though there are more of these, which definitely helps. Also texture-wise it's a bit chewier than your average gummy. Just practice for my puppy teeth!

Rating: 7 - Aroof!

Morinaga Hi-Chew Soda & Cola

While I have not reviewed Hi-Chews here yet, I LOVE them! The flavors are so strong, and satisfying, and have just the right amount of chew to stay in my maw for a while while not overstaying their welcome. So when applying the ever-present soda flavors to this candy, I expect great things, already having a lot of Japanese soda candy. I assume the soda one may actually be ramune? Guess I'll find out.

As predicted, the blue one does seem to have a ramune taste. Actually, it may be the same as the "tutti frutti" flavor I described earlier. Interestingly this one has a more deformed shape than most of the Hi-Chews that come in uniform shapes, and no visible filling. Maybe the flavor is the same throughout the chew?

Kracie Popin Cookin Ramen

I've long been a fan of these DIY kits even from seeing the package, they're so cute! Making candy disguised as mini food is such a neat idea, and although I'd often rather have the bigger food, it makes up for it with the fun of making everything myself, and no dishes! I love ramen too, and although it doesn't usually come with dumplings, this one does. The more food the merrier!

Gabunomi White Cola

Well, as I am not a fan of carbonated drinks, this cola does not particularly excite me. Although I am slightly impressed that the cola is white instead of the normal brownish color, but nothing that a little food coloring can't accomplish right? Or maybe white food coloring isn't a thing. Who knows. Maybe if I tolerate the fizz, I'll like the flavor.

The drink at least has a very strong cola smell, maybe stronger than most other colas out there. It's basically the same flavor as the gummy that was included in this Japan Crate. As for the taste, the cola flavor rings through and it's very good! Enough to make me tolerate the fizz. It doesn't go overboard on the sweetness either like one might expect it to, which makes it... actually pretty refreshing to drink. Not bad for a carbonated drink, sometimes those just make me thirstier. But nope, this is a pretty good go-to when I'm panting.

Rating: 8 - Rowf!

Maken Gummy Cola

When I first saw this in my Japan Crate I was pretty sure it was a candy version of one of those sticky hands found in gumball machines, suggested by the long spiral arm. Unfortunately this isn't that, instead it's a rock paper scissors shaped candy. Which seems kind of pointless. What are you supposed to do, pick your option before you flip it over and you get to... eat it if you win? I can't even make those shapes with my paws and mine was gummy side up, so I didn't get to have the chance to do that.

The gummy is cola flavored, and definitely has a nice cola smell to it. And like the stretchy hand toys it was quite sticky, I had a bit of difficulty removing it from the package. And upon eating it, that cola flavor still rings through. I do like the flavor when it's not accompanied by carbonation and it's nice to see it used so frequently in Japanese candy. It's very strong here, almost to the verge of overpowering but not quite. Texture is fine, a little bit less on the chewy side than most gummies. It's too bad (or maybe a good thing) that there aren't more, I'd be popping them into my mouth nonstop!

Rating: 7 - Aroof!

Sono Manma Cola Gum

Another gum item in this Japan Crate, and it's also cola flavored. C'mon guys, there are enough Japanese candies out there to spice up the variety more than that, right? Nevertheless though, I enjoyed the first cola gum well enough, so I have good hopes for this one. And the cute gum characters on the packaging are certainly beckoning me to try it. The catch with this pack is that there are three pieces of gum, and one is sour. A sense of mystery, how scary!

November Japan Crate Odds and Ends

Aruff! Hi everyone, this is my first blog post so thank you all for reading as I begin this journey. I have quite the appetite, especially for new and out there stuff, and like any good boy I want to share all my food adventures with you.

But before we begin I'd be amiss if I didn't talk about the Japan Crate that just arrived a few weeks ago, and that would be my first Japanese candy box, the November Japan Crate. I started off getting a three month subscription and we'll see where things go for there. I'm all for whatever gets me the yummiest snacks at the best value.

Now since I've already scarfed up most of the snacks in here I won't do a full review for everything, but I'll give mini reviews for ones that I ate long ago.

Kagikko Chocolate Key - This one's pretty self explanatory - it's a bunch of chocolates arranged in a key shape. Why? I have no idea. It seems there are a bunch of these out there all in different shapes. The candies themselves tasted exactly like M&Ms, maybe a bit smaller. I ate them almost immediately because nobody eats just one M&M. Cool idea to arrange them in a shape I guess, but I wish the candy itself was more unique?

Rating: 3 - Rrr

Rilakkuma Gum - Okay first of all this packaging is ADORABLE! I love how cute Japanese packaging can be and this one certainly made me whimper in adoration. The gum itself surprisingly had a ridge shape to it, but once in my mouth it behaved like any other gum. It had a nice cola flavor which at first was pretty strong then it lost flavor quickly, which is kind of sad. I suppose I'm used to Extra.

Rating: 4 - Boof!