「柿の種」 (かきのたね) are spicy soy-sauce-flavored rice crackers that are from 新潟県 (Niigata Prefecture). The original 柿の種 was produced by 浪花屋製菓 (Naniwaya Seika), a confectionery manufacturer in Niigata, in 1923.
Pocky was born in 1966 as the first stick-type chocolate snack. The idea of the uncovered "handle" bottom that kept your fingers chocolate-free was revolutionary. (Check out their history and vintage packaging.) Loved by kids and adults over generations, it has become a classic Japanese snack.
The name comes from the snapping ポキポキ sound of biting on a Pocky.
Pocky made its way over to Europe in the 80s. It was named and marketed as "Mikado" as the form was similar to the Mikado pick-up sticks game that was popular at that time.
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TIPS & PHRASES:
ポキポキ is a オノマトペ onomatopoeia for a snapping, cracking sound.
指(ゆび)をポキポキならす = to crack one's knuckles
枝(えだ)がポキっと折(お)れた
The branch snapped.
ポキポキ鳴(な)るから「ポッキー」なのね。
It's called Pocky because it makes a "poki poki" snapping sound.
久(ひさ)しぶりにポッキーが食(た)べたい！
I want some Pocky. I haven't had them in ages!
ひさしぶり = a long time since the last time
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Resources: Pocky Site (Glico)
The curly long-time favorite corn puff snack was introduced in 1968.
In the '60s, while お菓子 (okashi; snacks) were still considered sweet in Japan, salty snacks were becoming popular in the U.S. Catching on this new trend, カール was the first non-sweet snack in Japan.
A few カール fun facts:
Inspired by the nature and simplicity of the Tyrol region of Austria, the original チロルチョコ was in the shape of three current-size cubes connected, like three mountains. When it was introduced in 1962, as chocolate was still a luxury, the 10-yen chocolate quickly became popular.
The heavenly ice cream snack, ice cream wrapped in mochi, was introduced in 1981. Mochi ice cream is widely popular, but this is the original mochi ice cream.
Did you know that they have four different packaging designs (different 雪見 bunnies and pick designs) for the standard 雪見だいふく？ If you're feeling lucky, you might get the rare one!
