Not all international snacks are rare or unheard of, and one prime example is a fine candy bar from Switzerland known as Toblerone.  In our last Swiss snack review we took a look at the very delicious Milka Milkinis, a candy bar not available in the US or most major international snack markets.  This week our global snack blog is looking at a candy bar from Switzerland that is nearly a household name.

Toblerone dates back all the way to 1868 when Jean Tobler opened is own candy shop in Bern, Switzerland. Here he produced confectionary items from products supplied by other manufactures.  Theodor Tobler and his cousin Emil Baumann eventually designed a milk chocolate bar that included nougat, honey, and almonds as well as a unique triangular shape. As you may have guessed this eventually became the Toblerone candy bar.  Like many of our other international snacks this treat was eventually purchased by it's current owner, the Kraft Company.

If you've ever had a chance to view this swiss candy bar in person, chances are you remember it's unique shape and high-end packaging.  Toblerone is the only triangle shaped candy bar World of Snacks has had the opportunity to review.  The shape provides an elegant touch of sophistication that is accented but it's refined cardboard packaging.

Now on to the Toblerone taste test!  If you've never had the pleasure of sampling a Kraft Toblerone you are truly missing out.  The milk chocolate is smooth and velvety with a potent honey undertone, the nougat adds a little texture variation and sticky goodness, and the shape, well the shape makes it what it is.  This is not a Snickers, this is a true upscale delicacy that needs to be savored!  Prior to starting World of Snacks we actually had Toblerone in our fridge, and often paired it with a nice bottle of wine.  Kids love it too, so it's a favorite treat in our household.

Will World of Snacks offer the Toblerone Swiss Milk Chocolate Candy bar when we launch our international snack store?  We'd like to, but further research is needed.  We know that this foreign candy bar is available in many stateside grocers and candy stores.  If Toblerone is harder to find in other international regions, then it may work it's way into our normally stocked inventory.  If you'd like to stay up to date with our progress towards the launch of our web-based snack shop we invite you to register to the right and leave you contact information.  We'll be sure to send you a coupon once we are open for business!  

Although we are a US based international snack reviewer and future provider, we know that American snacks are known and loved through out the world.  In fact we intend to carry a full line of snacks from the United States as a part of our regular inventory.  Last time our global snack blog examined a US based snack, we reviewed a Ken Griffey Jr Rookie candy bar that was only made available at the ballpark during his first year of play.  To say that is a rare candy bar is an understatement! Today we are again reviewing a rare snack from the States, this time however it's a household name that has gained recent notoriety with the discontinuing of the this long time loved treat.

Chance are you've guessed by now we are taking a look at Hostess Twinkies.  Although Hostess is no longer in business, we purchased a 10 pack box from the last batch of twinkles produced.  We intended to do a full video review like we previously did for the Lays Do Us a Flavor reviews but with this delicious treat headlining in the news again we knew we had to get moving.  In case you missed it, two companies created a joint venture to revive the Hostess brand later this year.  That means our ultra rare US snack will be on shelves everywhere!  So let's get this review out before we are just talking about normal groceries! 


The reason we originally purchased Chocolate Filled Twinkies by Hostess is our 10 year old Director of Taste has never had one!  As true snack connoisseurs we didn't want him to miss out on a pop culture snack icon.  So if you've tried to locate a box of Twinkies in 2013 you may have found out that they are all expired.  But Hostess Twinkies last forever, right?  There are countless TV shows that have worked in to the plot highlighting the long lasting goodness this snack has to offer. We'll read on to see what we found!

In our search for the very best snacks from around the world we are heading to China! Initially we thought we’ve uncovered a fun and playful mint from China but after our preliminary research for this snack review, we quickly learned, like many things made in China, this snack actually is produced by an American company.  So this week we are taking our international snack blog back home to the United States.

Our international-ish snack is a banana flavored mint licensed by Boston America CORP. The company specializes in creating high-quality impulse items that from first sight entice potential buyers to purchase them immediately.  Well, we have to say they are doing a very fine job, and that is why we are reviewing an American-Chinese mint!

Although Boston American CORP makes a wide range of unique and playful snack items I chose the Paul Frank Banana Mints because another love of mine (other than international snacks) is collecting fine art.  I hate to omit that my only interaction with Paul Frank’s company previous to inquiring the banana mints was researching an artist name Shag that I am a fan of.  Both artists have a similar style and have worked together on occasion.  As I write this snack review I can already tell I will be learning more about Paul Frank in the very near future.  For the purposes of this article, he is world famous and has a large international following.  Now let’s take a look at the Paul Frank Banana Mints by Boston American CORP.

As an impulse item it goes without saying, the packaging is over the top and very eye catching.  The tin is a shinny light blue and there is monkey in the center names Julius, who apparently has almost as large of a following as Paul Frank himself.  The tin fits in the palm of your hand and contains a ton of mini banana styled mints.  Now we know how the Paul Frank Banana Mints look, lets see how they taste!

If you had to guess, what do you think this snack tastes like?  You are right, BANANAS!  Other than the sexy packaging this treat is pretty straightforward.  They remind me of the mixed fruit hard snacks that used to be sold (and may still be) in quarter vending machines in building lobbies and other random places.  They are hard and sweet, but take a minute for the full impact to get in.  My test panel today consisted of myself and our 10 year old Director of Taste, and we both really enjoy them.  Our only debate is do you suck them and let the flavor build, or just chew through the crunch.  

Will World of Snacks carry Paul Frank Banana Mints in our upcoming launch of our international snack store?  Well, we may.  I imagine we will host a page of collectable candy tins and this one will need to be included.  We are not sure if it will be a full time inventoried item or something brought in on occasion or for promotional purposes.  We hope you enjoyed our review of these fun and tasty Paul Frank Mints.  If you haven’t submitted your e-mail yet to get our store announcement and coupons be sure to do so now!  Where in the world are we heading next?  You’ll have to come back later in the week and see for yourself!

Bonjour, we are heading to France for this week’s candy review by World of Snacks.  This is our first time examining a snack from the French Republic and we are excited to be sampling our first sour treat.  We are ripping open a bag of Eiffel Bon Bon’s, an apple flavored chewy candy.  Let's get started on our review!

Eiffel is the brand listed on the bonbons but further inspection of the packaging shows these are imported to the US by The Foreign Candy Company.  It’s not uncommon for some of our international snacks to be brought in and offered wholesale stateside.  What is a little unusual is I am not able to find any information on Eiffel, other than what the Foreign Candy Company wants us to find.  We have reviewed many delicious delicacies from all around the world from a variety of manufactures and  Eiffel is the first company we are not able to locate ANY history or background information on.  This leads us to believe this snack may not be a traditional French treat, but instead something designed and manufactured for the US market. 

Will World of Snacks include Bon Bons Chewy Apple Candies in the launch of our international snack store?  We are not certain just yet.   If they are indeed a French favorite than we must stock them.  If they are made for the US market and only offered in specialty shops then we still may carry them.  We have yet to locate enough snacks from France to dedicate a page solely to this country.  We may include Bon Bons during special promotions or on a limited run as well.  If you are interested in receiving an invite and special coupon to the grand opening of our online based international snack store be sure to sign up now!  If you have any suggestions on snacks from France we should review be sure to share!