Kit Kats are a classic snack. I don’t know a single human being that wouldn’t happily slam one of those bad boys down their gullet, satiated or not. Today I came across the incredible (and almost unbelievable) fact that Japan currently has 16+ different types of Kit Kat to choose from. That doesn’t seem entirely fair to me.
It gets worse: since the year 2000, they have released more than 200 different flavours (more than one a month), including a soy sauce flavoured version (they can keep that one).
Since the advent of the so-called “chunky” Kit Kat, us Brits now have some additional flavours to choose from, but it is nowhere near 16. So, before we get down to the delicious business of showcasing Japan’s flavour selection, let’s have a brief look at the history of the Kit Kat shall we?
The term “Kit Kat” or “Kit Cat” has been used for snack items since the 18th century; mutton pies, known as a Kit-Kats, were served at meetings of the political Kit-Cat Club in London. Although they shared a name, I’m assuming their flavour was fairly different from the modern-day Kit Kat.
Rowntree’s first trademarked both Kit Kat and Kit Cat in 1911 but it wasn’t until 1920 that a chocolate based product called Kit Kat was first sold to a ravenous British Isles.
The first chocolaty Kit Kat item was in fact a box of chocolates, and nothing like the modern version. But, its life was short. As focus shifted onto Rowntree’s Black Magic and Dairy Box brands the Kit Kat selection fell out of favour. The Kit Kat in the format we know and love today was actually born from a suggestion box at York’s Rowntree factory. Workers there suggested a type of bar that “a man could take to work in his pack”.
The bar, in its regular format, was first released in the south of England in 1935 and cost 2d, but it was called “Rowntree’s Chocolate Crisp.” Not a snappy title at all. In 1937, it received its proper Kit Kat title.
Today Kit Kats are produced by Nestlé in 16 countries and in the US they are produced under license by Hershey (below). In 2014, Kit Kat was the third best-selling chocolate bar in the UK after Dairy Milk and Galaxy.
So why do Japan get so many flavours? Well, it’s a marketing thing (obviously). Kit Kats are heavily marketed to youngsters who often give them away as gifts. Japan has a culture of gift-giving, a good luck gift is an essential thing to carry about your person at all times, just in case an unexpected gift-giving occasion should occur. It helps that the brand name mirrors their phrase “Kitto Katsu” which, roughly translated, means “surely win”.
Anyhow, before I get too carried away in the banal history of a snack (“too late” I hear you cry), here are some of the wonders that Kit Kat offers the good folks of Japan:
For the real Kit Kat geeks out there, I found this list of ALL of the flavours and styles that Kit Kat have released over the last few decades in Japan. It truly is bewildering:
1973-1977 Kit Kat (Four-Finger)
1978-1987 Kit Kat (Two-Finger)
1978-1987 Kit Kat (Five-Pack)
1978-1987 Kit Kat Mini
1988-1993 Kit Kat Four Two-Fingers
1988-1993 Kit Kat Four-Finger
1994-1995 Kit Kat Two-Finger
1994-1995 Kit Kat Four Two-Fingers
1994-1995 Kit Kat Mini
1994-1995 Kit Kat Four-Finger
1994-1995 Kit Kat Stick
1996-1997 Kit Kat Stick Almond
1996-1997 Kit Kat Stick Half Bitter
1998-2000 Kit Kat Two-Finger
1998-2000 Kit Kat Mini
1998-2000 Kit Kat Four-Finger
1998-2000 Kit Kat Stick
1998-2000 Kit Kat Stick Almond
1998-2000 Kit Kat Stick Half Bitter
1998-2000 Kit Kat Petit
1998-2000 Kit Kat Strawberry
2001 Kit Kat Big Cut
2001 Kit Kat Orange
2002 Kit Kat Big Cut Jumbo Pack
2002 Kit Kat Banana
2002 Kit Kat Mini Banana
2003 Kit Kat Two-Finger
2003 Kit Kat 2 X Two-Finger
2003 Kit Kat Eight Sticks
2003 Kit Kat Big Cut
2003 Kit Kat Mini White
2003 Kit Kat Strawberry Milk
2003 Kit Kat Double Berry
2003 Kit Kat Gold
2003 Kit Kat Petit
2003 Kit Kat Petit Strawberry
2004 Kit Kat Cold Pack
2004 Kit Kat Lemon Cheese Cake Flavour
2004 Kit Kat Mini Can
2004 Kit Kat Super Cup
2004 Kit Kat Uji Maccha Green Tea
2005 Kit Kat Passion Fruit
2005 Kit Kat Cafe Latte
2005 Kit Kat Mini Yoghurt Flavour
2005 Kit Kat Tumbler Pack
2005 Kit Kat Chocolatier Noir
2005 Kit Kat Strawberry With Grains
2005 Kit Kat White Maple Syrup
2005 Kit Kat Mini Grape
2005 Kit Kat Mini Caramel Pudding Flavour
2006 Kit Kat France Brittany Milk
2006 Kit Kat Fruits Parfait Flavour
2006 Kit Kat Strawberry Of Winter
2007 Kit Kat Melting Luxury
2007 Kit Kat Jar
2007 Kit Kat White Hokkaido Milk
2007 Kit Kat Caramel Flavour
2007 Kit Kat Cookie & Milk
2007 Kit Kat Tochi Otome
2007 Kit Kat Kiwi
2007 Kit Kat Melting Luxury Uji Maccha Green Tea
2007 Kit Kat Melting Luxury Apple In Season
2008 Kit Kat Tasty Strawberry
2008 Kit Kat White
2008 Kit Kat Soy Sauce
2008 Kit Kat Oshiruko Flavour
2008 Kit Kat Mini Caramel Pudding Flavour
2008 Kit Kat Caramel Macchiato Flavour
2008 Kit Kat Gold Pack
2008 Kit Kat Mini Water Melon
2008 Kit Kat Strawberry Cheese Cake Flavour
2008 Kit Kat Melting Luxury Gianduja
2008 Kit Kat Melting Luxury Tea With Scent
2008 Kit Kat Blueberry Cheese Cake Flavour
2008 Kit Kat Mini Hoji Cha
2008 Kit Kat Muscat Of Alexandria
2008 Kit Kat Mini Citron
2008 Kit Kat Little Lucky Little
2008 Kit Kat Itohkyuemon Uji Maccha Green Tea
2008 Kit Kat Mini Salt
2008 Kit Kat Salt
2008 Kit Kat Mini Kohaku Pack
2008 Kit Kat Mini Muscovado
2008 Kit Kat When You Wish Upon A Star Triple Berry
2008 Kit Kat Candied Sweet Potato Flavour
2008 Kit Kat Soy Milk Chocolate Flavour
2008 Kit Kat Mini White Peach & Yellow Peach
2008 Kit Kat Apple
2008 Kit Kat Cookie Plus
2008 Kit Kat Mini Strawberry Flavour
2009 Kit Kat Full Of Fruit
2009 Kit Kat Cookie Plus Whole Wheat Flour
2009 Kit Kat Convey Your Feeling
2009 Kit Kat Semi-Sweet
2009 Kit Kat Mini Melt-In-The-Mouth Cacao
2009 Kit Kat Sparkling Strawberry
2009 Kit Kat Milk Coffee Flavour
2009 Kit Kat Cookie Plus
2009 Kit Kat Royal Milk Tea Flavour
2009 Kit Kat Mini Lemon Vinegar
2009 Kit Kat Little Spice
2009 Kit Kat Mini Soda Pop
2009 Kit Kat Take Bites Out Of A Whole Bar
2009 Kit Kat Mini Chocolate & Baked Sweet Potatoes
2009 Kit Kat Mini Sour Orange Flavour
2009 Kit Kat Ginger Ale Flavour
2009 Kit Kat Kinako Ohagi Flavour
2009 Kit Kat Mini Custard Pudding Flavour
2009 Kit Kat Mini Strawberry Flavour
2009 Kit Kat Kit Mail
2009 Kit Kat Stick Tiramisu
2009 Kit Kat Stick Maccha Green Tea Tiramisu Flavour
2009 Kit Kat Jasmine Tea
2009 Kit Kat Mini Chocolate & Rose
2009 Kit Kat Mini Chocolate & Uji Maccha Green Tea
2010 Kit Kat Kit Mail
2010 Kit Kat Mini Mix Juice Flavour
2010 Kit Kat Mini Maple
2010 Kit Kat Framboise
2010 Kit Kat Raspberry & Passion Fruit
2010 Kit Kat Mini Grown-Up’S Sweetness
2010 Kit Kat Gift Money
2010 Kit Kat Bitter Almond
2010 Kit Kat Mini Aloe Yoghurt Flavour
2010 Kit Kat Bar Banana
2010 Kit Kat Bar Adzuki
2010 Kit Kat Cherry Blossom Maccha Green Tea
2010 Kit Kat One Bar
2010 Kit Kat Bar
2010 Kit Kat Mini Three Pieces
2010 Kit Kat Petit Eight Pieces
2010 Kit Kat Mini Twelve Pieces
2010 Kit Kat Petit Fifteen Petit Bags
2010 Kit Kat Mini Fifteen Pieces
2010 Kit Kat Big Little Box
2011 Kit Kat Clear Flavour
2011 Kit Kat Mini Maccha Green Tea Assortment
2011 Kit Kat Kit Mail
2011 Kit Kat Petit Strawberry Hazel Nut
2011 Kit Kat Mini Dessert Assortment
2011 Kit Kat Petit Cookie & Cream
2011 Kit Kat Bar Bitter Strawberry
2011 Kit Kat Big Little Custard Pudding Flavour
2011 Kit Kat Gift Money
2011 Kit Kat Mini Grown-Up’S Sweetness Three Pieces
2011 Kit Kat Big Little Box Grown-Up’S Sweetness
2011 Kit Kat Petit Bag Grown-Up’S Sweetness Thirteen Pieces
2011 Kit Kat Mini Grown-Up’S Sweetness Thirteen Pieces
2011 Kit Kat Mini Mini Mont Blanc Flavour Six Pieces
2011 Kit Kat Mini Strawberry Cake Confiture Flavour
2011 Kit Kat Mini Pumpkin Cheese Cake Flavour Thirteen Pieces
2011 Kit Kat Mini Kohaku Pack Fourteen Pieces
2012 Kit Kat Mini World Variety Thirteen Pieces
2012 Kit Kat Bar Salt Puff One Piece
2012 Kit Kat Mini Grown-Up’S Sweetness Raspberry Three Pieces
2012 Kit Kat Mini Grown-Up’S Sweetness Raspberry Twelve Pieces
2012 Kit Kat Mini Grown-Up’S Sweetness Maccha Green Tea Twelve Pieces
2012 Kit Kat Bar Uji Maccha Green Tea One Piece
2012 Kit Kat Mini Tasty When Frozen Vanilla Ice-Cream Flavour Thirteen Pieces
2012 Kit Kat Big Little Nuts Of Summer 39G
2012 Kit Kat Big Little Cookie & Cream
2012 Kit Kat Mini Devil Pumpkin Pudding Flavour Thirteen Pieces
2012 Kit Kat Mini Grown-Up’S Sweetness White Three Pieces
2012 Kit Kat Big Little Caramel Pudding Flavour
2013 Kit Kat Mini Grown-Up’S Sweetness Maccha Green Tea Three Pieces
2013 Kit Kat Mini Purple Yam Twelve Pieces
2013 Kit Kat Mini Purple Yam Five Pieces
2013 Kit Kat Mini Tamaruya Honten Wasabi Twelve Pieces
2013 Kit Kat Mini Shinshu Apple Twelve Pieces
2013 Kit Kat Mini Adzuki Bean Sandwich Flavour Twelve Pieces
2013 Kit Kat Mini Yawataya Isogoro Flavour Twelve Pieces
2013 Kit Kat Mini Itohkyuemon Uji Maccha Green Tea Twelve Pieces
2013 Kit Kat Mini Itohkyuemon Uji Maccha Green Tea Five Pieces
2013 Kit Kat Mini Clear Flavour Twelve Pieces
2013 Kit Kat Mini Seigoin Yatsuhashi Twelve Pieces
2013 Kit Kat Mini Seigoin Yatsuhashi Five Pieces
2013 Kit Kat Mini Amaou Strawberry Twelve Pieces
2913 Kit Kat Mini Itohkyuemon Hoji Cha Twelve Pieces
2013 Kit Kat Mini Amaou Strawberry Five Pieces
2013 Kit Kat Mini Itohkyuemon Hoji Cha Five Pieces
2013 Kit Kat Mini Citrus Gold Blend Twelve Pieces
2013 Kit Kat Mini Citrus Gold Blend Five Pieces
2013 Kit Kat Mini Tochi Otome Twelve Pieces
2013 Kit Kat Mini Strawberry Cheese Cake Twelve Pieces
2013 Kit Kat Mini Rum Raisin Twelve Pieces
2013 Kit Kat Mini Grown-Up’S Sweetness Maccha Green Tea Two Pieces
2013 Kit Kat Mini Kobe Pudding Flavour Twelve Pieces
2013 Kit Kat Mini Fujisan Pack Nine Pieces
2013 Kit Kat Mini Uji Maccha Green Tea Three Pieces
2013 Kit Kat Mini Cherry Blossom Maccha Green Tea Three Pieces
2013 Kit Kat Mini Japanese Strawberry Three Pieces
2013 Kit Kat Mini Grown-Up’S Sweetness Passion Fruit Twelve Pieces
2013 Kit Kat Mini World Assortment Thirteen Pieces
2013 Kit Kat Mini Tasty When Frozen Cookie & Cream Thirteen Pieces
2013 Kit Kat Mini Grown-Up’S Sweetness White Twelve Pieces
2013 Kit Kat Mini Grown-Up’S Sweetness Strawberry Three Pieces
2013 Kit Kat Mini Pumpkin Pudding Thirteen Pieces
2013 Kit Kat Mini Grown-Up’S Sweetness Strawberry Twelve Pieces
2013 Kit Kat Gift Money Kit Kat (Including Decorative Paper Envelope)
2014 Kit Kat Big Little Grown-Up’S Sweetness Orange Peel
2014 Kit Kat Petit Grown-Up’S Sweetness Strawberry
2014 Kit Kat Mini Grown-Up’S Sweetness Raspberry Twelve Pieces
2014 Kit Kat Mini Tasty When Frozen Vanila Icecream Flavour
2014 Kit Kat Bar Royal Milk Tea
2014 Kit Kat Mini Tasty When Baked Pudding Flavour
2014 Kit Kat Big Little Vanila Icecream Flavour
2014 Kit Kat Train Ticket Kat
2014 Kit Kat Mini Pumpkin Pudding Flavour
2014 Kit Kat Kit Mail
How about that?
