In my previous post “The Science of Deliciousness,” I explained the “flavor interactions” between matcha chocolate and Senbei (Japan’s Savory Umami Rice Snacks).
But does the combination of soy sauce-flavored senbei and matcha chocolate actually taste good? 🤔
So, this time, I’ll be reviewing the pairing of Matcha KitKat and soy sauce-flavored “Magari Senbei”.
Now for the tasting 😋
Each small package of Magari Senbei contains two crackers.
I found that eating one cracker for every single block of Matcha KitKat provides the perfect balance.
Magari Senbei has a sweet and savory soy sauce flavor.
When paired with a Matcha KitKat, the aftertaste feels remarkably like drinking green tea while enjoying a traditional Japanese meal 🍚🍵
As a Japanese person, this combination feels very familiar and comforting to me, creates a surprisingly harmonious flavor without any sense of mismatch 💕
As mentioned in the post “The Science of Deliciousness,” whether a flavor is “familiar” or not plays a huge role in how we perceive it as delicious.
Therefore, I’m not sure if people from other countries would find this pairing as enjoyable as I do.
I am truly curious to know—would you find this combination tasty? 🤔
From a scientific perspective, an analysis of this pairing through “Flavor Interactions” shows that both the Contrast Effect and Synergistic Effect are working perfectly. Theoretically, this makes it a delicious combination 😋
- Contrast Effect
The saltiness of the soy sauce × the sweetness and bitterness (Catechins) of the Matcha chocolate. - Synergistic Effect
The umami of the soy sauce (Glutamic acid) × the umami of the Matcha chocolate (Theanine).
Now, here’s the cross section.
The crispy, crunchy texture of the Magari Senbei provides a pleasant contrast to the smoothness of the matcha KitKat chocolate and the light, airy wafer texture, making it easy to eat and never boring 👍
Drinks to pair with this set 🍵
This senbei also has a sweet flavor (sugar soy sauce), so it pairs well with teas that have a distinct taste.
I recommend slightly bitter green teas or roasted teas 🍵
For reference when purchasing 🛍️
Here are the packages for both products.
Take a look and use them as a reference when you go shopping! （Both are available at local supermarkets and drugstores.）
Summary: What’s the best pairing for Matcha KitKat?
So far, I’ve reviewed pairings of three types of rice crackers with Matcha KitKat.
So, which pairing ended up being my favorite?
—Personally, “Teshioya” was my top pick ✨
The saltiness of Teshioya and the mellow umami of its broth contrasted beautifully with the sweetness and matcha flavor of the KitKat.
This contrast made me want to keep alternating between them ☺️
Plus, the vastly different textures kept things interesting and satisfying to eat 💕
If I had to pick my absolute favorite, it would be Teshioya, but Happy Turn and Magari Senbei are right up there too ✨
It really comes down to personal preference! 😆 Here are the recommended points.
🍵 Pairing with Teshioya
Recommended for those who love crispy rice crackers and a clean, refreshing aftertaste!
🍵 Pairing with Happy Turn
Recommended for everyone, from children to seniors, and even those trying senbei for the first time!
🍵 Pairing with Magari Senbei
Recommended if you love soy sauce flavor and want to enjoy an aftertaste reminiscent of Japanese cuisine!
Which rice cracker pairing do you prefer?
When you buy Matcha KitKat, grab some senbei too and find your favorite combination!👬
