BsOTW #12 and 13: Double Feature!

Whoops! I thought this had gotten posted last week! Sorry for the mix-up…double post today instead!




Name: KitKat Mint
Producer: Nestle

I always liked KitKats. I mean, if they turned up in my Trick-or-Treat sack it’s not like I’d turn them away. However, I don’t know that I ever really went out of my way to actually buy KitKats on their own. Maybe if I’d instead been living here that would have been a different story. Basically, KitKats are way more exciting here. Several posts back I put up a picture of God’s gift to man, also known as Chunky KitKat Peanut Butter. Today I have another variation on the tried-and-true KitKat format: KitKat Mint.



I’ve been so obsessed with the Chunky KitKat Peanut Butters that my perspective might be a little off, but these KitKat Mints seem to be smaller even than normal KitKats. This isn’t a bad thing, though As soon as you open the package you can smell the strong sweet mint infusing the chocolate. As you bite into the candy, the texture is like a normal KitKat (crunchy and crisp) and the mint hits you full-force.



I’m a big fan of mint, but even for me the mint is a bit strong here. I can’t imagine eating a package of these on their own, but I think they might make a classy addition to an afternoon cup of tea or, especially, coffee. Overall, I’m pleased with all the KitKat variations I’m finding here. KitKat is a great, simple chocolate bar that is just begging to be improved and I am willing to test all those experiments!



Name: Mince Pies
Producer: Most anyone…but this particular brand is Mr. Kipling

Mince pies are the very definition of Christmas feasting here. I’ll admit that at first I was skeptical, but over the weeks of Christmas preparation (a period that here starts right around Halloween time!) I’ve become hopelessly addicted. Every grocery store sells dozens of different brands of packaged mince pies (like the ones I’m showing here) and every bakery churns them out by the dozens. Eaten cold, heated, or smothered in a custard cream, mince pies are the perfect holiday snack and when eaten with a cup of tea, you feel like you can run a marathon. Or something.



Mince pies are basically, like their name implies, little tiny pies. The pie crust is filled with a mixture of dried fruits (mostly raisins, currants, apples, etc.), spices (cinnamon, cloves, allspice, etc.), and some sort of alcohol to cook it in (brandy or rum). The name given to this mixture of ingredients, “mincemeat,” derives from the fact that beef suet used to be added to the whole concoction to make it a bit richer (vegetable shortening is normally used today). Also, as recently as the 19th century, mincemeat pies always had some meat in them (often beef or venison) and were eaten as a savory part of the meal. Now they are firmly in the dessert category (thank goodness!)



This particular brand, Mr. Kipling, wins in the adorable department. The pies are topped with a Christmas tree and the box describes its contents as “Exceedingly Merry.” These mince pies are a bit sweet for my taste (I prefer mine to be on the spicier side rather than the sugary side), but definitely set a festive mood with my tea as I finish up the term and get ready to head home for the holidays for a couple of weeks.