Whew, I'm breaking out in a sweat just thinking about it.
So, it being far too much to worry about while stuffing my face with junk foods, I have decided to forego the extra step and consume things sans dipping (Fun Dip being the exception; sugar is always an exception). Imagine my mixed emotions, then, upon receiving today's candy: Meiji's Yan Yan!
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| Uh oh, this looks like there is going to be some work involved. |
Meiji is a Japanese brand (perhaps better known for the fanciful Hello Panda biscuits my wife adores), but my package stated in no uncertain terms that this it was a product of Singapore. At any rate, it was purchased in the USA, so it took at least three different nations to get this candy into my hands. That seems like a lot of coordinating, so I hope it was worth it. Anyway, Yan Yan apparently means "elegant" in Chinese or something, so I shall try my best to maintain an air of elegance through the remainder of the review. We'll see how long that lasts.
The package design is (unlike a dip) a total success! The color scheme and art style are attention-grabbing and informative with a whimsical flair. The top of the package explains the product with a simple, efficient clarity of which other designers should take note; it's brilliantly done!
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| Nothing says "fun" like words! Literally. |
On the side is a graphic challenging the consumer to "look inside for fun words." Challenge accepted! I can only imagine the joys awaiting me due to Meiji's lexical tomfoolery! I should note that, while it certainly seems like an open invitation to all, I believe it to be implicit that the challenge applies solely to the owner of the Yan Yan container in question. Please do not peer into containers not belonging to you, spoiling the fun for everyone.
The side artwork adds an additional identification of the "crispy cracker sticks," too, in case one overlooked the seemingly foolproof description on the top.
Everything's looking hunky-dory so far, though I must say I would not use the word "elegant" to describe anything I've thus far seen. Maybe the name's ironic?
The side artwork adds an additional identification of the "crispy cracker sticks," too, in case one overlooked the seemingly foolproof description on the top.
Everything's looking hunky-dory so far, though I must say I would not use the word "elegant" to describe anything I've thus far seen. Maybe the name's ironic?
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| Bottoms up! |
The "best by" date is on the bottom of the Yan Yan "cup" (and very easy to read, which is not always the case). Once again I am flirting with expiration, assuming American dating protocol is being used (and why wouldn't it be?).
The placement of the date (and other secret codes) shows a real confidence in the packing of the crispy cracker sticks and "smooth chocolate crème," since it forces one to flip the container upside down. I am therefore counting on my sticks to be completely intact upon the grand opening! If not, I expect Meiji will accept full responsibility for their negligence. Don't let me down, Meiji!
The placement of the date (and other secret codes) shows a real confidence in the packing of the crispy cracker sticks and "smooth chocolate crème," since it forces one to flip the container upside down. I am therefore counting on my sticks to be completely intact upon the grand opening! If not, I expect Meiji will accept full responsibility for their negligence. Don't let me down, Meiji!
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| Look, it's cholesterol free! (ignore all the other information) |
The nutrition facts panel takes up a large portion of the package and continues the Yan Yan trend of clarity and readability. I cannot stress enough how nice it is when a product's provided information does not strain one's eyes. It's almost as if Meiji actually wants consumers to be able to see the data; what a novel concept in the world of candy! The container's shape does hinder that goal ever so slightly (as does the mild deformation of my particular sample), especially for photographic purposes, but it is a valiant effort nonetheless.
Also refreshing is the serving size; Meiji has no delusions that its customers will consume only a portion of the contents in a single sitting. The Calorie count and fat content are about 20% higher than a typical candy bar, but one could easily eat several candy bars in the time it would take to finish sixteen crispy cracker sticks (not to mention the additional time for dipping), so if one is on a binge, Yan Yan might be the better option (aside from its significant sodium content).
Yan Yan also contains a surprising amount of vitamin A and calcium, as well as more iron than a cup of spinach (Popeye would approve). All in all, though, it would not be considered a healthy snack by any means. That's okay, as it does not masquerade as one (as opposed to some other candies that will remain nameless).
The ingredients list is below the nutrition facts (both on the package and in this blog):
I was struck by how few of the ingredients had scientific-sounding names (though "artificial flavors" is a tad vague). This has got to be one of the most straightforward snacks I've yet reviewed. Bravo, Meiji! But I do have to admit I did not expect to see cheese of any sort in the list. How did that get in there? No matter; I do so like cheese!
Also refreshing is the serving size; Meiji has no delusions that its customers will consume only a portion of the contents in a single sitting. The Calorie count and fat content are about 20% higher than a typical candy bar, but one could easily eat several candy bars in the time it would take to finish sixteen crispy cracker sticks (not to mention the additional time for dipping), so if one is on a binge, Yan Yan might be the better option (aside from its significant sodium content).
Yan Yan also contains a surprising amount of vitamin A and calcium, as well as more iron than a cup of spinach (Popeye would approve). All in all, though, it would not be considered a healthy snack by any means. That's okay, as it does not masquerade as one (as opposed to some other candies that will remain nameless).
The ingredients list is below the nutrition facts (both on the package and in this blog):
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| Cheddar? American? Gouda? I don't know. |
I was struck by how few of the ingredients had scientific-sounding names (though "artificial flavors" is a tad vague). This has got to be one of the most straightforward snacks I've yet reviewed. Bravo, Meiji! But I do have to admit I did not expect to see cheese of any sort in the list. How did that get in there? No matter; I do so like cheese!
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| Deconstructed candy? |
Peeling off the thin foil lid revealed a configuration not unlike that of the Obol (which, for the record, is no better than two standard bowls), though in this case it makes sense. The chocolate side was deceptively shallow but proved to be sufficient for its purposes.
The cracker sticks (fully intact, by the way), as promised, contained a variety of words and phrases (and graphics!) which were every bit as educational as they were fun (which is not necessarily a compliment). I learned, among other things, that a beetle's lucky color is brown and that a whale is a/the "biggesy mammal." I thoroughly enjoyed this aspect of Yan Yan; it's a simple matter, yes, but one that provides a little entertainment to each draw of a cracker stick. Again, Meiji should be commended for their efforts here. Sure, I got a couple of duplicates (it seems a crime to include two "duck" sticks but no "goose" stick; they don't even make a "goose" stick), but that's all part of the game. There are even two special stick types ("gold egg" and "golden log") to enhance the excitement. And like all other aspects of the design, the printing was expertly done; the text was as crisp as the cracker was crispy.
But how did they taste?
Well, I would say they tasted exactly as one would expect. The cracker sticks were crunchy but bland, and the chocolate "dipping sauce" was predictably adequate but unremarkable. In short, if you think you will like Yan Yan, you probably will (my wife was an instant fan). I was more or less impartial to the flavor and had my typical problems with the dipping/dunking portion. I also found the chocolate-on-a-stick visual to be less than appealing; it reminded me of some medical test swab or, even worse, a rectal thermometer incident (so much for elegance, eh?).
Therefore, I give Meiji's Yan Yan a score of 2. It was a pleasant/amusing experience (as far as dipping snacks go), but I can't see myself purchasing another container, particularly when Hello Panda exists, which has all the flavor and none of the dipping.
Still, it's a fine, honest product, and, if dipping sticks in chocolate is your thing, I wholeheartedly recommend you try Yan Yan to satisfy that craving.
You weirdo.
Sweetest regards (with a disproportionate coating of chocolate),
The Sweets Fiend
The cracker sticks (fully intact, by the way), as promised, contained a variety of words and phrases (and graphics!) which were every bit as educational as they were fun (which is not necessarily a compliment). I learned, among other things, that a beetle's lucky color is brown and that a whale is a/the "biggesy mammal." I thoroughly enjoyed this aspect of Yan Yan; it's a simple matter, yes, but one that provides a little entertainment to each draw of a cracker stick. Again, Meiji should be commended for their efforts here. Sure, I got a couple of duplicates (it seems a crime to include two "duck" sticks but no "goose" stick; they don't even make a "goose" stick), but that's all part of the game. There are even two special stick types ("gold egg" and "golden log") to enhance the excitement. And like all other aspects of the design, the printing was expertly done; the text was as crisp as the cracker was crispy.
But how did they taste?
Well, I would say they tasted exactly as one would expect. The cracker sticks were crunchy but bland, and the chocolate "dipping sauce" was predictably adequate but unremarkable. In short, if you think you will like Yan Yan, you probably will (my wife was an instant fan). I was more or less impartial to the flavor and had my typical problems with the dipping/dunking portion. I also found the chocolate-on-a-stick visual to be less than appealing; it reminded me of some medical test swab or, even worse, a rectal thermometer incident (so much for elegance, eh?).
Therefore, I give Meiji's Yan Yan a score of 2. It was a pleasant/amusing experience (as far as dipping snacks go), but I can't see myself purchasing another container, particularly when Hello Panda exists, which has all the flavor and none of the dipping.
Still, it's a fine, honest product, and, if dipping sticks in chocolate is your thing, I wholeheartedly recommend you try Yan Yan to satisfy that craving.
You weirdo.
Sweetest regards (with a disproportionate coating of chocolate),
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| Sadly, I would have to disagree. |
