Hiyoko - Baby Chick Pastry

Before there were marshmallow peeps, there was "hiyoko". It's a traditional japanese confection, usually presented in a pastry, such as this.

This is filled with a sweet lima bean paste, and surrounded in a pastry bun shaped like a baby chick. But they can also come in other types of confection, candy, cookie, chocolate, etc.

Hiyoko has been around for generations, invented by a pastry maker in 1912. It's a reflection of Japan's love affair with nature, finding grace in simplicity, and anything that's cute. That itself (minus the cute part) stems further from Japan's national religion, Shinto Buddhism.

The pastry bun itself has a sweet flavor, similar to that of King's Hawaiian Bread, but not as soft. This is a little more dry.

The sweet lima bean paste inside is eerily similar to that of an egg yolk, in terms of color and consistency, which is interesting considering the baby chick theme. It's just sweet tasting, and tastes nothing like an egg yolk. This paste, however, does include egg yolk as an ingredient.

I've had these before while growing up as a kid, but it's been years since the last time I've had one of these. I think these would actually be tastier with a cream filling, like custard or something.




I bought this at the Mitsuwa Market in San Diego, but I'm sure you can find these at any Mitsuwa Market, and at most Japanese food stores, if not this particular brand, but others too.

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Kellogg's Pop-Tarts Whole Grains

Kellogg's formally announced today they're now offering a new line of Pop-Tarts made with one serving of whole grains.

The new whole grains Pop-Tarts have been appearing on shelves for a few months now, but there hasn't been a formal announcement from the company.

Kellogg's says that moms are increasingly wanting to give their kids more whole grains and fiber.

Apparently, kids are not pooping enough, or something like that.

In reality, Kellogg's is trying to stave off accusations that its products are part of the reason why kids are getting obese. Hence, it has launched a product-wide marketing campaign urging kids and their parents to get outside and exercise.

Launching Whole Grain Pop-Tarts is just an easy way for the company to say, "Hey don't look us, we're doing our part!".

Honestly, the fattening of kids today is not a calorie-intake issue, it's a calorie-burn issue. Kids would rather play video games than go outside and ride their bikes. Parents would rather drive their kids to school, than make them walk or ride a bike. Otherwise kids have been gorging themselves on candies and burgers and sodas going back to the 1950s.

But either way, I guess it doesn't hurt for this country to produce more stool.

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Kellogg's Pop Tarts Gingerbread

Kellogg's has a new "limited edition" variety of Pop Tarts called, Pop Tarts Soft & Chewy Gingerbread.

The gingerbread edition is supposed to be pitched as a Christmas variety. Reviews posted on some other blogs says that the gingerbread is pretty bad.

Link...
http://www2.kelloggs.com/Product/ProductDetail.aspx?product=9811

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Pop Tarts Splitz

Pop Tarts, made by Kellogg's has announced a new product in their line of filled pastries to be heated in a toaster. Pop Tarts Splitz feature two different flavors in one tart (well, two since they come two to a package).

Not only are there two fillings (strawberry & blueberry shown) they also have matching frosting on those sides.

Boxes are sold with four packages, two tarts to a package for eight total and 14.1 ounces.

Pop Tarts has also been marketing their line of Go Tarts, which are, you know, packaged for folks on the go (as if that's not the idea of the original format of Pop Tarts?). Go Tarts appear to be more bar shaped and perhaps a bit thicker and not intended to be eaten warmed.

The official Pop Tarts site is super frustrating for those looking for actual information (but a great place to virtually play with your food) so head to the Kellogg's pages for texty info.

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Hello Kitty Pop Tarts

Kellogg's Pop Tarts took a further step towards "brand dilution" with the release of its Hello Kitty Pop Tarts.

The new toaster-pastry comes in "Meow Berry" described simply as "Wild Berry Filling". The ingredients list shows dried strawberries, dried apples, and dried pears. The back of the box features a Hello Kitty game.

I suppose the Pop Tarts product is one of those things that has to be reinvented over-and-over just to keep itself from falling into obsolescence in a market that's heavily saturated with gimmicky children's snacks.

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