There is no denying that Japan has so many delicious foods to offer, from sushi, onigiri, and Ramen. But that's not all. Japan also makes great candy and delicious snacks that you'll definitely love, and Pocky is no exception. Pocky is crisp biscuit sticks covered in a decadent chocolate covering. They are undoubtedly among the most well-liked snack foods in Japan. Learn more about Pocky and where this comes from.

What are Pocky Sticks?

Pocky is a well-known brand of Japanese chocolate-covered biscuit stick from Glico! The Japanese onomatopoeic term pokkin-pokkin, which describes the snapping sound generated as the biscuit snapped, gave rise to the name Pocky. Pocky stick includes a distinctive biscuit handle that enables customers to quickly eat the chocolate-covered portion of the biscuit without getting their hands messy. They are biscuit sticks with cream on them and are available in various Pocky tastes and seasonal and limited-edition versions.

How is Pocky Made?

Initially, crunchy Pocky was crafted through a laborious process that included hand-dipping each stick. However, as production ramped up, it became necessary to create a process that allowed for larger quantities to be produced more quickly. It begins with a simple dough crafted from ingredients like wheat flour, sugar, a cocoa butter equivalent, whole milk powder, and yeast. This dough is formed into the signature Pocky sticks and then baked until crispy.

Once cooked, the chocolate biscuit sticks are coated. This coating can include ingredients such as finely powdered matcha, strawberry puree granulate, or other similar flavorings alongside chocolate. The sticks are often finished with additional toppings, including crushed nut pieces, candies, cookie chunks, and more. Then, they're packaged in the signature red Glico box and sent to customers!

Birth of Pocky In Japan

Pocky snacks are thin, chocolate-dipped biscuits in the form of sticks born in Japan. These Japanese snacks were created by Yoshiaki Koma and first offered in 1966 by the Japanese snack company Ezaki Glico Co. Young females looking for a portable snack were the target market for this innovative snack. It found out that chocolate-covered fingertips weren't all that enticing to Pocky eaters. Thus, Glico decided to have a portion of the biscuit left bare, making for a cleaner nibbling experience, which helped establish Pocky's distinctive appearance.

The invention of the chocolate snack Pocky, which had the goal of being the first stick of chocolate in history, was considered pretty brilliant at the time. Once Pocky original chocolate flavor was made available to the general public, it immediately became a success for everyone, to the point where the notion of introducing different flavors quickly caught on. Due to the enormous popularity of Pocky chocolate, the Japanese Food manufacturer introduced Almond Pocky five years later in 1971, and Pocky Strawberry followed in 1977.

Pocky Global Expansion

When Pocky initially appeared on Japanese store shelves, it became incredibly popular, and as time went on, they not only expanded their flavor selection but also exported it to additional nations. Pocky began to spread over the world in the 1970s. The initial stage in Glico's entry into the global market was the founding of Thai Glico Co. Then, in 1982, Generale Biscuit Glico France S.A. was founded. This gave Pocky a base from which to enter the European market. From this, Pocky grew bigger with Shanghai Ezaki Glico Foods Co., established in 1995, Ezaki Glico USA Co., Ltd., established in California in 2003, and PT. Glico Indonesia was established in South Jakarta in 2014. Pocky became widely available over the world as a result of its increasing popularity over time.

Pocky Day In Japan

You would be surprised to know that Pocky has its own holiday in Japan. A day dedicated to Pocky snacks may initially sound a little strange, but it doesn't seem all that weird when you consider Japanese culture and the obvious love of snacking. Japan celebrates Pocky Day, or "pokki no hi," on November 11. When you think about it, the explanation is both clear-cut and clever. The four 1s of the number 1111, representing the date November 11, are shaped like the well-known Pocky sticks. Although there is no formal significance to the day, many Japanese observe it by purchasing a Pocky box, whether regular pocky or little pocky, in their preferred flavors. 

Flavors of Pocky

Original Pocky flavors include chocolate, strawberry, and almond flavors are expanded over time to include a variety of new flavors, including dark chocolate pocky, almond crush pocky, cookies and cream, royal milk tea pocky, and marble pocky, among many others. Seasonal Pocky tastes are also offered. However, they are only accessible at specific seasons of the year. Seasonal flavors include mango, pineapple, cherry blossom, green tea, cocoa powder, gorojima kintoki sweet potato, and honey flavors.

Additionally, there are regional flavors that are exclusive to various regions of Japan. Regional flavors include gigantic mandarin oranges in Kyushu, Shinshu Kyoho Grape in Nagano, Uji Matcha tea, Yubari King Melon, and Kobe wine in Kobe. But wait, there's more! Pocky also has a pocky dessert line that you shouldn't miss. These flavors include Double Chocolate, Strawberry Cream, Tiramisu, Chocolate Banana, Marron White, Chestnut, Strawberry Shortcake, and Mousse Pocky. The company also sells themed products like Pocky Decorer, also known as "Gorgeous Pocky," with decorative and culinary uses. This style has bright stripes covered with a coating. A more modern variation of the trademark is "Adult Amber." This one has a salty undertone and offers a Pocky bitter chocolate flavor. It is regarded as a snack that complements whisky.

Below are a few of the most popular Pocky flavors available.

Original (Milk Chocolate)

For some, there's nothing better than snacking on the Pocky Original. This delightful treat includes a simple yet delicious milk chocolate coating on their iconic biscuit sticks. The Original Pocky flavor started the craze for this sweet, crunchy snack.

Milk Chocolat and Butter

Besides regional, seasonal, and themed Pocky, the brand also offers a Luxurious Pocky line, which includes more luxurious ingredients than typically found in other Pocky flavors. For example, this Luxurious Pocky: Milk Chocolat and Butter includes fermented butter and a thicker, richer chocolate coating. These ingredients help create a more elegant and decadent treat.

Heartful Blueberry

Those who enjoy sweets with fruity flavors will enjoy the Pocky: Hearftul Blueberry flavor. This limited-edition flavor is inspired by Valentine's Day, shown with the pink heart-shaped biscuit sticks. These Pocky sticks feature a delicious blueberry chocolate flavor reminiscent of chocolate-dipped fruit bouquets sent to significant others on Valentine's Day.

Thick and Rich Matcha

Green tea enthusiasts can take their love of matcha a step further with the Pocky: Thick and Rich Matcha flavor. This Pocky pack includes a delightful chocolate and matcha flavor that highlights green tea's grassy, umami taste. It's crafted with green tea powder for a more authentic flavor.

60% Cacao

Those preferring treats that air on the bittersweet side will enjoy the Pocky: 60% Cacao flavor. It's created with real cacao, which helps balance the sweetness of the coating. Each Pocky stick in this pack is made with Ecuadorian cacao, which provides a fragrant, sophisticated snack. This unique flavor is the perfect complement to the crispy biscuits underneath.

Unique Pocky Flavors and Offerings

Similar to Japanese Kit Kats, Pocky comes in a wide array of flavors, some of which are unexpected for enthusiasts of the snack. Alongside these unique options, Pocky has continued to release new lines of this treat to entice snackers.

A few of the unique flavors featured in Pocky snacks include Sakura, which appears in springtime for the blossoming of the Sakura trees, and Winter Glitter Golden Butter Pocky, a limited-edition option only available in the wintertime. Other exciting options include orange peel, otona no milk, ruby red wine, and rainbow dream Pocky.

The company also sells themed products like Pocky Decorer, also known as "Gorgeous Pocky," with decorative and culinary uses. This style has bright stripes covered with a coating. A more modern variation of the trademark is "Adult Amber." This one has a salty undertone and offers a bitter chocolate flavor. It is regarded as a snack that complements whisky.

Other product lines that Pocky offers include Mousse Pocky, which focuses on a thicker, creamier coating that provides a consistency more similar to mousse. Additionally, the company has begun offering Reverse Pocky, wherein the flavor lies inside the stick, ensuring a mess-free yet utterly delicious treat. Newer lines include Giant Pocky, featuring larger Pocky sticks, and Pocky: Superfine, the complete opposite (smaller sticks in a higher quantity).

Are Pocky Sticks Vegan?

Because of Pocky's rich chocolate coating, which contains milk, Pocky is not a vegan treat. However, it is often vegetarian, depending on the flavor chosen. Certain flavors include animal products which may cause this treat to no longer be vegetarian. However, many Pocky options do fall under the category, including the beloved Original Pocky sticks.

Additional Uses for Pocky

While many people settle at simply snacking on Pocky sticks, this delicious treat has many additional uses, especially with a bit of creativity. Because of the large array of flavors, Pocky can be included in many types of desserts as decor or simply to boost the taste. Add this treat to parfaits, bowls of ice cream, chocolate-dipped fruits, cake pops, cakes, cupcakes, brownies, and more. It is even a delightful addition to charcuterie boards, snack tables, and movie night treats. Because of its wide range of uses, this is one Japanese snack that you'll want to keep stocked at all times.

It's Japan Crate Time

If you've never tasted it or are just curious about the hype, check out the Japan Crate for additional well-known and delectable Japanese Pocky delights. Japan Crate offers a monthly box of authentic Japanese items, including a few Pocky products you'll love! Get your first crate right now! Enjoy.

Can't wait for your first Japan Crate delivery? Consider supplementing your Japan Crate with delightful treats from Sugoi Mart's extensive collection! From Pocky to taiyaki, Sugoi Mart has a Japanese treat to satisfy any craving. You'll also find exciting Japanese drinks, merch, and more at Sugoi Mart. Happy shopping!