Hi-chew
Encyclopedia
is a fruit-flavored chewy Japanese candy
sold by Morinaga & Company
.
The candy actually derived from several older models. In 1931 was the introduction of the Edible Gum Chewlets. In 1975, the Hi-Chew box product was manufactured, and in 1986 the Hi-Chew stick was produced which is a similar model to the product that is in stores today.
Hi-chew candies are individually wrapped in logo-stamped foil or plain white wax paper (depending on the localization). Each individual candy piece consists of an outer white coating (this is the same for most flavors) and a colored, flavored interior. The exceptions to this rule are the Strawberry Cheesecake, Yogurt, and Cotton Candy flavors, which have an outer colored coating with a white, flavored inside, whereas the Cola flavored Hi-chews are brown colored all through. The texture is similar to a cross between chewing gum and fruit-flavored candies in the United States such as Laffy Taffy
or Starburst
, they are also said to remind many of the long discontinued Bonkers
. Hi-chew can be found widely in shops in Taiwan
, Shanghai
, Singapore
, and Hong Kong
. Specialist shops in other countries also stock this product, including some 7-Eleven
locations in the United States, Cost Plus World Market locations, and also many import stores. In Walt Disney World, Epcot in Florida, Hi-Chew can be also found sold in a smaller package and translated into English. Special editions are sometimes released. In Japan, the Hi-Chew is one of the most recognized and popular sweets.
Hi-chew's ingredients include: Glucose
syrup, Sugar
, Hydrogenated Palm Kernel Oil, Gelatin (derived from pork
), Natural and Artificial Flavors, Strawberry juice
from concentrate, DL-Malic Acid
, Citric Acid
, Emulsifiers, Sodium lactate
Solution, Natural colors (Beta-Carotene
, Carmine
).
Morinaga also sometimes releases special editions. Multipacks can also be purchased.
Candy
Candy, specifically sugar candy, is a confection made from a concentrated solution of sugar in water, to which flavorings and colorants are added...
sold by Morinaga & Company
Morinaga & Company
is a confectionery company in Tokyo, Japan, in operation since August 15, 1899. Their products include candy and other confectioneries. Morinaga has Ayumi Hamasaki and Mao Asada appear in their commercials....
.
About the candy
The soft, chewy kouros was first released in 1975. It was re-released in its current shape (a stick of several individually-wrapped candies) in February 1986.The candy actually derived from several older models. In 1931 was the introduction of the Edible Gum Chewlets. In 1975, the Hi-Chew box product was manufactured, and in 1986 the Hi-Chew stick was produced which is a similar model to the product that is in stores today.
Hi-chew candies are individually wrapped in logo-stamped foil or plain white wax paper (depending on the localization). Each individual candy piece consists of an outer white coating (this is the same for most flavors) and a colored, flavored interior. The exceptions to this rule are the Strawberry Cheesecake, Yogurt, and Cotton Candy flavors, which have an outer colored coating with a white, flavored inside, whereas the Cola flavored Hi-chews are brown colored all through. The texture is similar to a cross between chewing gum and fruit-flavored candies in the United States such as Laffy Taffy
Laffy Taffy
Laffy Taffy is a brand of taffy manufactured by Nestlé and sold under their Willy Wonka Candy Company brand. Laffy Taffy is a brand of candy first produced in the 1970s. The candies are small individually wrapped taffy available in a variety of artificial fruit flavors, as well as a chocolate...
or Starburst
Starburst
Starburst may refer to:*Starburst region, a generic term to describe a region of space with a much higher than normal star formation*Starburst galaxy*Starburst , the breaking up of a large company...
, they are also said to remind many of the long discontinued Bonkers
Bonkers candy
Bonkers was a candy offering from Nabisco in the mid 1980s. It consisted of chewable rectangular shaped candies with a fruity outside and an even fruitier filling. The candy came in a large rectangular package with several of them individually wrapped...
. Hi-chew can be found widely in shops in Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
, Shanghai
Shanghai
Shanghai is the largest city by population in China and the largest city proper in the world. It is one of the four province-level municipalities in the People's Republic of China, with a total population of over 23 million as of 2010...
, Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
, and Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
. Specialist shops in other countries also stock this product, including some 7-Eleven
7-Eleven
7-Eleven is part of an international chain of convenience stores, operating under Seven-Eleven Japan Co. Ltd, which in turn is owned by Seven & I Holdings Co...
locations in the United States, Cost Plus World Market locations, and also many import stores. In Walt Disney World, Epcot in Florida, Hi-Chew can be also found sold in a smaller package and translated into English. Special editions are sometimes released. In Japan, the Hi-Chew is one of the most recognized and popular sweets.
Hi-chew's ingredients include: Glucose
Glucose
Glucose is a simple sugar and an important carbohydrate in biology. Cells use it as the primary source of energy and a metabolic intermediate...
syrup, Sugar
Sugar
Sugar is a class of edible crystalline carbohydrates, mainly sucrose, lactose, and fructose, characterized by a sweet flavor.Sucrose in its refined form primarily comes from sugar cane and sugar beet...
, Hydrogenated Palm Kernel Oil, Gelatin (derived from pork
Pork
Pork is the culinary name for meat from the domestic pig , which is eaten in many countries. It is one of the most commonly consumed meats worldwide, with evidence of pig husbandry dating back to 5000 BC....
), Natural and Artificial Flavors, Strawberry juice
Strawberry juice
thumb|right|150px|Strawberry JuiceStrawberry juice is a fruit juice made from strawberries. Strawberry juice or concentrate is often added to cocktails, such as Minute Maid Strawberry passion and CoolBest Strawberry Hill....
from concentrate, DL-Malic Acid
Malic acid
Malic acid is an organic compound with the formula HO2CCH2CHOHCO2H. It is a dicarboxylic acid which is made by all living organisms, contributes to the pleasantly sour taste of fruits, and is used as a food additive. Malic acid has two stereoisomeric forms , though only the L-isomer exists...
, Citric Acid
Citric acid
Citric acid is a weak organic acid. It is a natural preservative/conservative and is also used to add an acidic, or sour, taste to foods and soft drinks...
, Emulsifiers, Sodium lactate
Sodium lactate
Sodium lactate is the sodium salt of lactic acid produced by fermentation of a sugar source, such as corn or beets, and then neutralizing the resulting lactic acid to create a compound having the formula NaC3H5O3. As a food additive, sodium lactate has the E number E325 and naturally is a liquid...
Solution, Natural colors (Beta-Carotene
Beta-carotene
β-Carotene is a strongly-coloured red-orange pigment abundant in plants and fruits. It is an organic compound and chemically is classified as a hydrocarbon and specifically as a terpenoid , reflecting its derivation from isoprene units...
, Carmine
Carmine
Carmine , also called Crimson Lake, Cochineal, Natural Red #4, C.I. 75470, or E120, is a pigment of a bright-red color obtained from the aluminum salt of carminic acid, which is produced by some scale insects, such as the cochineal beetle and the Polish cochineal, and is used as a general term for...
).
Morinaga also sometimes releases special editions. Multipacks can also be purchased.