From The Straits Times    |

I have been checking the Pocky and Pretz shelf at Meidi-Ya Supermarket faithfully for what seems like months and there has been nothing new.

Then suddenly, there are five new flavours of Pretz – a windfall for any fan.

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Pretz flavours (from far left) Mikan, Matcha. Image: ST/ Rudy Wong

In the pouches are sweet Pocky in Matcha and Mikan flavours.

A good whack of powdered green tea and the rich flavour of cream come through in the Matcha sticks.

Mikan is a perfect reminder that flu season is round the corner and I should start eating the fruit for vitamin C. The Pocky equivalent has a bright orange flavour that I like a lot. It tastes like an orange creamsicle.

The other three variations are Tako Yaki or octopus balls, Ramen and Hotate or scallops.

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Pretz flavours (from far left) Tako Yaki, Hotate and Ramen. Image: ST/ Rudy Wong

Of the three, the Tako Yaki one has the best flavour. It tastes like the Worcestershire sauce-like topping vendors slap on the octopus balls.

I have great hopes for the Ramen one but it is pretty generic. Fortunately, Hotate packs in a rather uncannily accurate flavour of scallops. Those Japanese flavour engineers always manage to delight.

Get these Glico Pretz, $2.70 a pack, from Meidi-Ya Supermarket, B1-50 Liang Court, tel: 6339-1111, open: 10am to 10pm daily.

This article was first published in The Straits Times newspaper on September 12, 2014. For similar stories, go to sph.straitstimes.com/premium/singapore. You will not be able to access the Premium section of The Straits Times website unless you are already a subscriber.

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