South Korea Sent 10,000 Choco Pies Over to North Korea in Balloons

North Korea got a sweet surprise from its neighbor to the south on Wednesday.

In South Korea, about 200 people — South Koreans along with North Korean defectors — packed 770 pounds of Choco Pies into plastic bags, which they attached to 50 giant balloons and released into North Korea from a park in the border city of Paju, according to organizers of the event. It was an act of rebellion against the alleged North Korean ban on the chocolate confections.

SEE ALSO: Riot Gear: How Protesters Around the World Suit Up

The pies, which are produced in South Korea, are wildly popular in North Korea. Fearful that the treats would encourage an uprising, Kim Jong-un reportedly banned Choco Pies from the country earlier this month. The pies, which have become something of a political statement, are viewed as a symbol of capitalism and represent a taste of the world outside North Korea.

People carrying chocolate pies and cookies during a rally near the border village of Panmunjom that separates the two Koreas on July 30, 2014.

IMAGE: AHN YOUNG-JOON/ASSOCIATED PRESS

Choco Pies have occasionally been doled out in North Korea as bonuses to workers in the Kaesong Industrial Complex. Employees make around $100 a month there, according to the news site Daily NK, but only take home about 30% of their wages as a result of deductions by the North Korean government. The pies were used to supplement low wages and give the workers a literal taste of the outside world.

"Choco Pies are an important mind-changing instrument ... [North Koreans] are suffering and starving, but thanks to Choco Pies, DVDs and large-scale labour migration to China, people don't buy the old story [that the South is even poorer] and the government does not sell it any more," Andrei Lankov, an expert on Korean studies, told The Guardian. Other items like DVDs have also been transported to North Korea via balloons.

Preparing to release the balloons carrying chocolate pies and cookies.

IMAGE: AHN YOUNG-JOON/ASSOCIATED PRESS

It is not unusual for such balloons to travel across the border to North Korea. Often, they carry things like anti-North Korean leaflets and USB sticks containing photos from places outside the country.

In response to the bombardment of chocolate pie-filled balloons, North Korea's leadership hasthreatened to shell the people responsible on the other side of the border.

IMAGE: FLICKR, STEVEN TOM

Have something to add to this story? Share it in the comments.

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Kit Kat Chocolatory

A little over a week a go we posted a Kit Kat Sake Review and almost immediately we sold out of this unique flavor (not to worry - more are on the way).  Never heard of Sake Flavored Kit Kats? That's because it's a new flavor only offered in Japan. 

Currently we stock nearly 20 flavors of Kit Kats from Japan in our international snack store and we offer them for sale here in the US with international shipping available.  We pride ourselves on our selection and really enjoy tracking down rare and exotic flavors. So when we found out there are even rarer Kit Kats then the crazy flavors we sell - we almost hit the roof with excitement!

We discovered a Kit Kat boutique in Japan, known as Chocolatory. Well, 3 Kit Kat boutiques to be exact.  Over the years Nestle (they own Kit Kat) has offered hundreds of usual an innovative special edition flavors.  They don't sell them anywhere other than Japan. Some of these Japanese Kit Kat flavors are regional, but for the most part they are available throughout the country.  However, theKit Kat Chocolatory offers flavors that can only be purchased at their boutique and no where else!

Well if you happen to own a store that specializes in hard to find snacks this is a big deal.  That means these rare Kit Kats are nearly impossible to find without heading to the store and picking up some yourself.  What makes it even harder is they only produce a limited number of bars each day, and when they sell out, you are out of luck. 

So you probably scrolled ahead to see these two flavors we scored from the Chocolatory. That's right, we are reviewing the rarest Kit Kats in the world on our snack blog!  Let's get on with our taste test of the special edition Butter Kit Kat and Chili & Passion Fruit Kit Kat.

Butter Kit Kat Review

Butter doesn't sound like a flavor that would enhance a chocolate bar.  Sure it's an ingredient, but the main flavor?  My younger brother used to sneak hands-full of butter when no one was looking.  Other than him, I do not know anyone who likes butter by itself.  So the idea of a butter Kit Kat doesn't sound appealing, but Nestle has yet to disappoint us with any of their Japanese Kit Kat flavors - so we are going in open minded. We are glad we did! This flavor is pretty amazing.  The butter flavor is nearly non-existent.  It's more of a heavy cream flavor.  It's rich, it's decadent, and it's so good.  This flavor is a result of a contest from the Tsuji Group culinary school in Japan. Great job guys!

Chili & Passion Fruit Kit Kat Review

Now spice is a more appealing flavor for us. Both my parents have Latin American roots and my partner is from an Asian country that thinks everything should be spicy!  So needless to say, out of the two this is the rare Kit Kat we were looking forward to the most.  So what do we think of it?  The dark chocolate is the perfect right amount of bitter. The fruit is powerful, almost like a passion fruit jam. However the crisp wafer is a much better sensation than jam would be.  What about the chili?  Oh yeah, it's there and it comes in slowly with a long distinct burn.  This flavors is unusual and epic all at the same time.

So there you have it. Ready to buy a plane ticket to Japan and check out a Chocolatory?  We are and we will save you from needing a plane ticket.  In the very near future we will offer limited quantities of these outrageously rare Kit Kats for sale in our international snack store.  Until then check out some of the amazing flavors we currently offer.  As always, keep on snacking world!

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Lotte Pepero Double Dip

Good news.  We've just added several flavors of Lotte Pepero to our international snack store.  They all look so yummy and it was a hard choice choosing just one flavor to review here on our blog.  So how did we decide to review the Lotte Pepero Double Dip Milk & White Chocolate?  Easy, we went with the Pepero with the most chocolate!

Before we jump into our review, we should take a moment to talk about Pepero.  If you've never heard of Pepero but think it looks oddly familiar you may be thinking of the Japanese Pocky.  These tasty treats are nearly identical but are in no way related to each other.  Pocky is the older of the two which was established in the 1960s.  Pepero (owned by Korean Brand Lotte) didn't come along until the 1980s.  They are both cookie sticks dipped in a variety of chocolate and toppings.  We plan to do a direct comparison of the two in the near future here on our blog.  Let's take a closer look at Lotte Pepero Milk & White Chocolate dipped cookies. 

We love the packaging.  It looks very classy and extra tempting.  The outside box is well done and features gold foil and tons of tasty chocolate.  Inside we found two separate bags, each containing 5 cookie sticks.  Again, well designed packaging and ideal since you may want to break up the portion and take your time devouring them. So do they taste as good as they look?

Before we decided to do our review we did a little research.  The following that Pepero has on social media and other outlets is strong.  So we had high expectations. I think the faithful followers have led us to a slight disappointment. The Lotte Pepero Double Dip Milk & White Chocolate is enjoyable. They are good, but not phenomenal.  This may be the charm of this snack though.  A simple, straight-forward snack that's pleasant and tasty.  So there you have it.  Check out our current selection of Korean Cookies. We will ship them to you no matter where you live.  As always, keep on snacking world!

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Enjoy The Taste Of Eating Right With Healthy- Recipe

(BPT) - While health is a main concern for many Americans, the majority are still choosing food based on taste rather than nutrition.

This March, however, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (AND) is hoping to change perceptions and shed light on the fact that healthy food can taste good by promoting the theme: Enjoy the Taste of Eating Right during National Nutrition Month.

There are plenty of nutritious foods that are also tasty. With a little knowledge on what foods to buy and the proper preparation techniques, both taste and nutrition can be combined for optimum health.

“I tell my clients all the time that making one change can create a powerful and healthy momentum,” says Registered Dietitian Dawn Jackson Blatner and spokesperson for Sunsweet Growers Inc. “One of the easiest and most enjoyable first steps is to upgrade their snacks. For many people, healthy snacks can be a great weight management technique. The right snacks keep energy levels up and help manage hunger between meals.”

Blatner recommends combining lean protein and fiber in almost every snack, since the powerful nutrient combination will help with optimum fullness and satisfaction. Her top five healthy, tasty snack ideas are:

* Create your own trail mix: Customize your own mix of dried fruit and unsalted nuts. Sunsweet’s Plum Amaz!ns are diced dried plums, which are lower in sugar and calories than most other dried fruits and have a low glycemic index of only 29. Prunes are also a nutrition powerhouse - recent studies suggest that prunes may help improve bone health. Combine them with unsalted nuts like pistachios for a snack that will keep you energized for hours.

* Lightened-up afternoon bread: Take time to indulge in a healthy way by pureeing prunes in a food processor and use it to replace half of the amount of butter needed in your favorite bread or muffin recipe. See below for a lightened up version of chocolate banana bread, which has three grams of fiber, yet only 180 calories per serving.

* Make your own energy bar: Store-bought bars are often loaded with sugar and ingredients that are hard to pronounce. Visit dawnjacksonblatner.com for an easy recipe called Super Seed Bars, which can be prepared and ready to eat in less than 30 minutes.

* Experiment with yogurt parfaits: Greek yogurt contains more protein than regular yogurt, which helps keep you fuller longer after eating. To keep sugar in check, enjoy plain Greek yogurt and add your own sweetness with healthy fresh or dried fruits. Sprinkle on granola for some added crunch.

* Mix-and-match smoothie: Experiment with different combinations of fresh and frozen fruit, yogurt, milk, juice and even vegetables. Add a handful of spinach to your smoothie for a boost of iron and vitamin A – the other smoothie components will disguise the taste. Sunsweet’s Amaz!ng Prune Light has only 100 calories per serving and is a good source of fiber for a boost to your digestive health.

Chocolate banana bread

Makes 12 servings

Ingredients:

1/2 cup Sunsweet pitted prunes
2 tablespoon water
1 cup (about 2) bananas, mashed
1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon brown sugar
2 large eggs
1/4 cup vegetable oil
3/4 cup whole-wheat flour
1/3 cup plus
1 tablespoon cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup Plum Amaz!ns
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 F. Lightly oil a one-pound loaf pan. In a small bowl, combine prunes and water. Microwave for 45 seconds and let set for 10 minutes. Puree prunes with water in a blender. In a bowl, beat together the prune puree, bananas, sugar, eggs and oil with an electric mixer until incorporated.

In a separate bowl mix flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add to the prune mixture and stir to combine. Fold in the Plum Amaz!ns and chocolate chips. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake until a cake tester inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean, about 50 minutes.

Cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Turn the loaf out onto a wire rack and cool completely.

For more healthy living tips, visit Sunsweet’s Live Amazing Hub, beginning March 11, 2014.

- See more at:  Sunsweet’s Live Amazing Hub

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

7 HEALTHY TAILGATING SNACKS

Kick off football season with these healthy tailgating snacks! They’re sure to win over your taste buds while you cheer on your favorite team, without packing on the pounds. Check out our favorite crowd-pleasing game time snacks:

1) Mix of Champions

The name says it all! Get in the competitive spirit with this crunchy mix of hickory smoked almonds, edamame, macadamia nuts, chili bits, buffalo peanuts, and cheddar sesame sticks. This snack mix not only packs flavor, but also protein and fiber to boot! It satisfies any football fan’s craving for crunch without going overboard.

2) Half Popped Popcorn

Popcorn is a must-have for any party, but this half popped popcorn takes things to a whole new level! Made from non-GMO whole grain corn, each serving provides 4 grams of dietary fiber. Easy-to-pack for your tailgate party, simply bring a few bags along and share them with your family and friends when it’s time to break out the munchies.

3) Sacha Inchi Peanuts

Peanuts are a baseball snack, so we’re making these ultra-nutritious Sacha Inchi peanuts a football snack! They have a rich nutty taste that is comparable to roasted peanuts, and they provide the ideal balance of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. A complete protein with all 9 essential amino acids, these Sacha Inchi peanuts pack 9 grams of protein per serving.

4) Teriyaki Beef Jerky

Football players need a lot of protein, and football fans do, too! So grab some chewy, fresh and delicious beef jerky. With 11 grams of protein per serving, it will give you the stamina to cheer on your favorite team for hours. Plus, it’s super delicious with the flavors of savory teriyaki.

5) Dry Roasted Edamame

Of course, game time eats don’t have to be all about meat. Another tasty and crunchy high-protein snack is edamame, which boasts 18 grams of protein per serving. This is the perfect snack for any vegans or vegetarians in your tailgating crowd. Edamame also makes a great addition to trail mix, so consider mixing it with nuts and dried fruit.

6) Chocolate Covered Sunflower Seeds

We haven’t forgotten about your chocolate craving! Munch on these crunchy sunflower seeds, covered in milk chocolate and a candy shell. They’ll add color to any tailgating occasion. Sunflower seeds are a good source of healthy fats, protein, fiber and minerals. If you’re going to indulge, you might as well get a few health benefits with it!

7) Veggie Chips

Who need potato chips when you can enjoy these flavorful and vibrant vegetable chips! Made from an assortment of sweet potatoes, squash, carrots, green beans, and taro, these chips are loaded with fiber. Sure to be a hit among everyone, these veggie chips taste like a touchdown.

What are your favorite healthy tailgating snacks?

• 
• 
• 
• 
•