Pocky - Curiosities of the Japanese Sweet Stick

Pocky (ポッキー, pokkī) is a traditional Japanese biscuit, produced by Ezaki Glico since 1965, which consists of a sweet stick covered with chocolate or another special flavor. The word “Pocky” is the onomatopoeia of the sound it makes when the stick is broken in two.

Over the years, various flavors of Pocky have been released, including strawberry, melon, tangerine, kiwi, mango, grape, honey, among others. Some are special, regional, or seasonal editions.

We recommend reading: Learn 200 Japanese Onomatopoeias

The History of Pocky

It all started in 1922, when the Japanese company Ezaki Glico Co. Ltd. launched its Glico caramel. 44 years later, Pocky was born. This chocolate stick has been a part of Japanese life since 1966 and has been enjoyed by generations of families.

According to legend, Pocky was created by Yoshiaki Koma, an employee of Glico, who decided to dip a biscuit stick in chocolate as a way to use up excess chocolate from the production of another product line of the company. This experiment ended up giving rise to one of Japan’s most popular snacks.

Currently, Pocky has expanded worldwide and sells its products in China, South Korea, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, India, France, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Spain, Austria, Switzerland, the USA, Canada, Australia, and others. Unfortunately, Brazil is not on this list. But it can be found at events and specialty stores for Japanese products, at a rather high price.

The Meaning of Pocky

The name “Pocky” was inspired by the sound of “pokkin” in Japanese, which is the sound the biscuit makes when broken in half. Over the years, Pocky has become a cultural icon in Japan and other parts of Asia, often featured in movies, anime, and television shows. Additionally, the snack has also gained popularity worldwide and is widely sold in convenience stores and supermarkets in many countries.

You can find a timeline with the history of Pocky and the Glico company by clicking here.

Glico Pretz – Savory Stick

Glico Pretz is a savory snack in the shape of a stick, produced by the Japanese company Glico, the same company responsible for making Pocky. Unlike Pocky, which is covered in chocolate, Pretz is an uncovered biscuit with a savory flavor.

Pretz was first launched in Japan in 1962, and since then it has become a popular snack throughout the country and elsewhere in the world. Pretz is known for its crunchy texture and savory flavor, and comes in a variety of flavors, including onion, cheese, tomato, pizza, wasabi, among others.

What is the difference between Pocky and Pepero?

Pocky and Pepero are two types of stick snacks covered with chocolate or other flavors, very popular in Asian countries, such as Japan and South Korea, respectively.

Although both snacks have a similar appearance and concept, there are some differences between them.

The main difference is that Pocky is produced by the Japanese company Glico, while Pepero is produced by the South Korean company Lotte. Additionally, the recipe for each may be slightly different, with subtle differences in flavor and texture.

Another difference is how the two snacks are marketed. Pepero is generally sold in larger boxes, while Pocky is often sold in boxes with several individual packages.

In terms of popularity, both snacks have a dedicated fan base in their respective countries of origin and around the world.

Curiosities about Pocky

Pocky Day: In Japan, November 11 (11/11) is known as “Pocky Day,” because the date resembles Pocky sticks. On this day, people often exchange boxes of Pocky with friends and family as a gesture of friendship.

Exclusive varieties: Although there are many different flavors of Pocky available worldwide, some varieties are exclusive to certain regions. For example, in Japan, you can find flavors like sweet potato, blueberry yogurt, and milk tea.

Pocky Game: The “Pocky Game” is a popular game among Japanese teenagers in which two players hold a Pocky stick with their mouths and try to eat it simultaneously, leaving only a small part of the stick remaining.

World Record: The largest mosaic of biscuit sticks measures 50.92 m² and was created by Ezaki Glico Co., Ltd. (Japan) at Nihonbashi Mitsui Hall, in Chuo, Tokyo, Japan. It consisted of 1,307,208 pink chocolate biscuit sticks flavored with milk and strawberry, and took 240 people 48 hours to create!

Pet version: Glico created a version of Pocky for pets, called “Pocky for Pets,” which is made with dog and cat-safe ingredients, such as chicken and salmon.

Iconic design: The packaging and design of Pocky have become iconic, with its colorful and narrow packaging containing a series of chocolate-covered sticks, becoming a cultural icon in Japan and other Asian countries.

List of Pocky Flavors

There are many different flavors of Pocky, with variations available in different countries. Here is a list of some of the most popular Pocky flavors:

Milk Chocolate
Strawberry
Matcha (green tea powder)
Cookies and Cream
White Chocolate
Peanut
Caramel
Raspberry
Tiramisu
Banana
Condensed Milk
Melon
Milk Tea
Cocoa Powder
Peanut Butter
Chestnut
Lemon
Grape
Pumpkin
Peach
Dark Chocolate
Green Tea
Coconut
Milk
Double Chocolate
Blueberry
Pineapple
Orange
Watermelon
Green Apple
Pink Pepper
Ginger
Black Sesame Tea
White Cocoa
Vanilla
Cashew Nut
Blueberry
Hazelnut
Apricot
Cheesecake

These are just some of the flavors of Pocky available, and new flavors are frequently released to meet consumer demand. It is worth noting that some flavors may be exclusive to certain times, regions, or countries.

See below how Pocky is Made: