When Candy Blog reviewed Morinaga’s limited edition 祭りのハイチュウ (festival Hi-Chew) in りんご飴 (candy apple) and わたがし (cotton candy), I was more then intrigued because when Cybele gives 10 out of 10 you know it’s going to be good. My only concern was that I had only seen the candy apple in stores, and even those quantities were dwindling. Could all of Japan have been sold out of cotton candy? I shrugged off this disturbing thought so I could go buy toilet paper. I went for the first time to a certain grocery store near my home, and was pleasantly surprised by their selection of candy and snacks. Sitting next to the register were both candy apple and cotton candy Hi-Chew, for only 60 yen apiece. I skipped the candy apple and bought two packages of the cotton candy.
The package is bold yellow and blue with a light blue poof of cotton candy and a festival vendor on the front. The matsuri flavors only come with seven candies instead of the usual ten. The candy is a creamy white with bits of yellowish sugar embedded throughout. It has a soft burnt sugar smell with a little vanilla, and something vaguely fruity or floral. I absolutely love the smell because it is exactly the same as a cotton candy flavored gum I used to buy when I was a kid. Hi-Chew are often compared to Starburst, but Hi-Chew are much bouncier, have a softer chew, and are less sticky. The sugar bits in the cotton candy flavor take some getting used to, but add a nice variety of texture and crunch. I think I’d like to see them in other Hi-Chew flavors. The cotton candy flavor is extremely creamy with hints of vanilla and burnt sugar, and there isn’t a weird aftertaste.
I’m giving this 4/5 because they’re awesome, but I don’t really feel like stocking up for when they go off the market.
Buy Watagashi Hi-Chew from J-List.
