Tohato Caramel Corn – Choco vs. Peanut — munchies review

Posted on July 11, 2005 by Kris Nelson

Chris and I love to go to Japanese Su-pah-mah-ket-tohs like Nijiya (in Mountain View) and Mitsuwa (in Strawberry Park SJ), but sometimes we “slum it” at Marina Foods (in Cupertino) which is mostly Chinese, but it’s a great place to get paratha (layered Indian flatbread) and vegetarian bao (little steamed buns filled with veggies like bamboo shoots and chinese spinach) in bulk. We stopped there last night.

We usually get an assortment of crazy snacks with Tohato Caramel Corn being one of ‘em, since they only run about a buck fifty and come in very cute but simple looking packages. This time I noticed they had a matching set of boy and girl bags, the former with a sorta sheared-off Marine hairdo and the latter decked out in sakura (cherry blossoms) and rainbows*. I know this hardly makes a difference to most people, but I’m a visual wacko. And of course we buy it ‘cos it’s yummy.

The texture is like a hmm, a pleasantly greasy puffed treat, thanks to the artery-clogging power of palm oil (which has almost literally been banned in the U.S.) as the number one ingredient. The peanut flavored ones subbed margarine for palm oil, which is equally hazardous. Not for use if you wear a pace maker. It’s also packed with flavor (think Cocoa Puffs x100) and a sprinkling of MSG. These puffs have everything! The peanut nummies are like Cracker Jacks/Poppycock but soooo much better. I’m not a particular peanut fan myself –in E.T. when Elliot calls his brother “Penis Breath”, I blurted out, “yaaah, that’s the WORST”, mistakenly hearing “Peanut Breath”– so this is a nice alternative.

If you’d like more info and can read japanese, or just want to watch trippy flash animations, LOOKIE HERE. They have all kinds of different designs for you fellow visual nuts out there.

*In afterthought, these special packages are most likely for Hinamatsuri (Girl’s Day) which was back in March, but like most junk food, these badboys are good ’till 2011, so I’m confident we’ll survive.

About the Author

Kris Nelson has zero cavities and has had dentists place bets against her. Although she’s a candy addict, she is no chocoholic; she thinks milk- and white- chocolate are disgusting. Kris does enjoy Cucu Azuki and Cream and assorted types of yummy gum.