Introduction to KitKat
The name “KitKat” originated hundreds of years ago, long before the popular chocolate bar existed, and was associated with a 17th-18th century London literary group called the KitKat Club. Theories suggest the name came from either a pie shop owner named Christopher Catling or the pies he made, known as “Kit Kats”.
History of KitKat
The KitKat name was considered grand and classy, but the Rowntree company didn’t use it until the 1920s for an assortment of chocolates. This line was later phased out, and the modern KitKat bar was developed after a worker suggested creating a chocolate bar that a man could take to work. The first four-finger KitKat bar, initially named Roundtree’s Chocolate Crisp, was introduced in London on August 29, 1935.
Global Expansion
KitKats were introduced to more countries, including the United States in the 1970s, after Rowntree sold the manufacturing and distribution rights to the American candy giant. In Japan, KitKat was introduced in 1973 through a licensing agreement with Fujiya, a Japanese confectionary company, which promoted it as a foreign delicacy due to its British origins.
Unique Flavors and Marketing Strategies
Nestle Japan’s marketing team introduced strawberry KitKats in Hokkaido, which became a hit among tourists, leading to the idea of creating region-specific KitKat flavors as souvenirs. The team developed various KitKat varieties, such as wasabi-flavored in Shizuoka and momiji manju-themed in Hiroshima, to serve as local specialties and souvenirs. Some notable flavors include:
- Matcha
- Shinshu apple
- Sushi
- Cough drop (released in 2017, aimed at Japanese soccer fans)
Success and Recognition
KitKats have become a part of Japanese pop culture, with the name sounding similar to the phrase “you will surely win,” leading to a surge in sales in January as people buy them as gifts or reminders for students taking entrance exams. The brand’s innovations have made Japan its number one market in terms of sales and profits. KitKats are also widely successful globally, being sold in 72 countries and recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the most prolific chocolate brand. Nestle’s KitKat brand celebrated its 80th birthday in 2015, with over 17 billion KitKat fingers eaten worldwide annually.
Key Vocabulary
| Term | Pronunciation | Definition | Example Usage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assortment | /əˈsɔːtmənt/ | A collection of different things, especially ones of a similar type. | The Rowntree company used the KitKat name for an assortment of chocolates in the 1920s. |
| Phased out | /feɪzd aʊt/ | To stop using or producing something gradually. | The original KitKat line was phased out and replaced with the modern KitKat bar. |
| Licensing agreement | /ˈlaɪsənsɪŋ əˈɡriːmənt/ | A contract that allows one company to use another company’s intellectual property. | KitKat was introduced in Japan through a licensing agreement with Fujiya. |
| Delicacy | /ˈdɛlɪkəsi/ | A food that is considered rare or expensive and is often served on special occasions. | KitKat was promoted as a foreign delicacy in Japan due to its British origins. |
| Region-specific | /riːˈdʒən spɪsɪfɪk/ | Something that is specific to a particular region or area. | Nestle Japan developed region-specific KitKat flavors as souvenirs. |
| Prolific | /prəˈlɪfɪk/ | Producing a large amount of something, especially creative work. | KitKat is recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the most prolific chocolate brand. |
| Confectionary | /kənˈfɛkʃənəri/ | A place where sweets are made or sold. | Fujiya is a Japanese confectionary company that promoted KitKat in Japan. |
| Souvenir | /suːvəˈnɪə/ | A thing that is kept as a reminder of a person, place, or event. | Nestle Japan developed region-specific KitKat flavors as souvenirs. |
| Pop culture | /pɒp ˈkʌltʃə/ | The cultural elements that are popular with the general public at a particular time. | KitKats have become a part of Japanese pop culture. |
| Innovations | /ˌɪnəʊˈveɪʃənz/ | New or original ideas, methods, or products. | The brand’s innovations have made Japan its number one market in terms of sales and profits. |
| Entrance exams | /ˈɛntrəns ɪɡˈzæmz/ | Exams that students take to enter a school or university. | KitKats are bought as gifts or reminders for students taking entrance exams in Japan. |
| Grand | /ɡrænd/ | Impressive or magnificent in scale or appearance. | The KitKat name was considered grand and classy. |
| Classy | /ˈklɑːsi/ | Elegant or sophisticated in style or appearance. | The KitKat name was considered grand and classy. |
| Theories | /ˈθɪəriːz/ | Ideas or explanations that are suggested as possible, but not yet proven. | Theories suggest the name “KitKat” came from either a pie shop owner or the pies he made. |
| Literary group | /ˈlɪtərəri ɡruːp/ | A group of people who are interested in literature and meet to discuss it. | The name “KitKat” originated from a 17th-18th century London literary group called the KitKat Club. |
| Distribution rights | /dɪstrɪˈbjuːʃən raɪts/ | The rights to sell or deliver a product to customers. | Rowntree sold the manufacturing and distribution rights to the American candy giant. |
| Manufacturing | /ˌmænjuːˈfæktʃərɪŋ/ | The process of making goods or products on a large scale. | Rowntree sold the manufacturing and distribution rights to the American candy giant. |
Kit Kat: How A British Snack Conquered The World – Did You Know Food Ft. Dazz 🎓
Explore the advanced terminology extracted from the source material.
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Vocabulary Quiz
Grammar Focus
Grammar Focus: The Past Perfect Tense
The past perfect tense is used to describe an action that occurred before another action in the past. It is formed using the auxiliary verb ‘had’ + the past participle of the main verb. For example, ‘The KitKat name was considered grand and classy, but the Rowntree company didn’t use it until the 1920s’ can be rephrased as ‘The KitKat name had been considered grand and classy before the Rowntree company used it in the 1920s’. This tense is useful for showing cause and effect, or for describing a sequence of events in the past.
