Comparison: Hong Kong Frutips vs. Canada Frutips (by Nestle)

Happy Halloween! Since it is Halloween today, let's talk about a candy that has been quite popular lately.... or for a very long time (if you are in Asia).

This post isn't just a review but a comparison between Frutips available in Hong Kong and Canada.

I always thought that similar products sold in different countries should be different, due to demographics, taste, culture, etc. As someone who likes to explore different things... it can be quite an adventure to try things that are similar yet different... the differences makes it so much more interesting!

Before I begin, Frutips are chewy fruit juice candies, they are marketed as being extra soft and containing real fruit juice. They were originally called Rowntree's Fruit Pastilles  (if you are from Australia you might know them as Wonka Fruit Pastilles). Currently Nestles own them in Canada and Hong Kong (not sure which other companies are involved in different parts of the world).

For those of you who have tried one and want to the other or simply deciding which one to buy, here are the differences between Hong Kong Frutips (能得利) and Canada Frutips:

Hong Kong Frutips photo source: http://needsugarnow.wordpress.com/2010/12/17/blackcurrant-frutips/

Hong Kong Frutips:

• much chewier (harder, require more "teeth strength")
• juicy
• long lasting

Hong Kong Frutips offer 2 types of packaging, the foil wrapping (as shown in the picture) as well as the big plastic tube container (similar to the picture below). The most popular flavour in Hong Kong is Blackcurrent with sugar coating (as shown in the picture).

photo source: http://pharmacy-business.ca/2012/07/24/rowntrees-frutips/

Canada Frutips:

• dissolve almost immediately (hardly requires any chewing)
• very sweet
• very soft

It is really hard to say which one is better (all depends on personal preference). As for myself, I prefer Hong Kong's version because I like candies which are longer lasting, chewier and less sweet.

After doing some research, I find that Hong Kong's marketing & advertising for Frutips is much superb than in that in Canada , It's (probably) because this product has been in Hong Kong much longer than it has been in Canada (I couldn't even find the official site/page for the Canadian Frutips). after visiting Frutips' Hong Kong, I was shocked to see just "how big" this candy is in Hong Kong, they have celebrities promoting this candy! (Hong Kong is really serious about Frutips)

Hong Kong Frutips website: http://promo.nestle.com.hk/frutips/

also... if you are interested, please check out my personal blog and follow me around Tokyo :)

Lotte Mini Choco Ice Cream review

sorry for the quality of the box, I ate through half the box before realizing I didn't take a picture

I have always liked Lotte products, their snacks usually contain chocolate and their chocolate is good! The name is quite descriptive, Mini Choco Ice Cream, Dark Chocolate coating with Vanilla filled ice cream.

thoughts:

• very strong chocolate taste
• Vanilla needs to be more "Vanilla"
• not too big, not too small (2 bite sizes)
• very crispy
• chocolate is a little to sweet

Upon my first bite, I was excited, do you know that satisfying "crack" sound (? I hate describing sound) you get when you bite into fresh and well made frozen chocolate coated foods? That was the sound it made, I was very satisfied.

The chocolate coating was really tasty, very flavourful and full of cocoa, but, it was just a but too sweet (it is like dark chocolate but with added sugar... lots of it). If you are a vanilla fan, you might not like this product, I couldn't tell whether it was because of the chocolate (being too flavourful) or if the vanilla wasn't very flavourful.... either way, the vanilla was practically tasteless, it tasted more "creamy"... I think they need more vanilla flavouring to enhance their "vanilla" ice cream.

I really liked the size, it was bigger than bite size (to satisfy your craving) yet small enough (so you won't feel guilty after eating one). There were 15 "bars" inside and they were all individually wrapped which is good, I can't imagine how I could take them apart if they weren't.

I would definitely be purchasing these again!

Giving these 8.5/10!

I couldn't find the website... so no website this time.

Nestea green tea drink review

According to their label:

natural lemon flavour iced green tea
no added preservatives


I had really high hopes for this because

1. I like Nestea 
2. I like Green tea... 
3. I like clear (transparent) drinks

unfortunately my expectations weren't reached. I guess I should have known when I saw the liquid being "too clear".

Here are my thoughts:

1. not enough taste (it tastes close to sour water)
2. too much sour in its taste
3. where's the green tea taste/flavour?

The product was described on Nestea's website as:

Made with real green tea blended with natural lemon flavour, this preservative-free beverage has the added benefit of real tea polyphenols - all in a convenient plastic bottle.

I don't know what tea leaves they were using... cause I could hardly taste anything "green tea". I would not purchase this again.

website: http://www.mynestea.ca/en_CA/products.html?id=6

Quaker Chewy Chocolate Chip Granola Bar review

I have always loved these Chewy Chocolate chip granola bars, whenever I am hungry in between meals and want to "munch" on something, they are able to satisfy my hunger and I won't get a guilty feeling from eating them since the nutrition facts on the box indicate they are "healthy", safe to eat and contain hardly any "chemicals'. What's most important is that they taste great!

pros:
convenient
healthy
delicious

cons:
addicting

website: http://www.quakeroats.com/products/oat-snacks/chewy-granola/chocolate-chip.aspx

Skin79 Seaweed Cooling Mask review

I was waiting very impatiently for this to come in the mail. I am just so grateful for this mask. In Fact, I think I like everything that Skin79 makes (so far). 

It's tagline is a "Home Self Spa Mask", I have actually never been to a spa before, so I don't know what my skin should feel like after a spa treatment... but, if my skin can feel THIS good, I am definitely up for visiting a spa one day.

According to it's website it claims this mask is a

COOLING MASK THAT PROVIDES COOL, FRESH MOISTURE. The abundant moisturizing properties of this overnight cooling mask that can e felt the moment it touches the skin has excellent calming properties that quickly renews tired skin.

This is a very versatile mask, it can be a 10-15 min mask or a sleeping mask. 2 masks in one! It also works for all skin types. Isn't that cool (pun intended)?

photo source: http://www.skin79northamerica.com

The colour of the container was very attractive... who can resist this blue? But the gel is just clear, no colour to it. I also am impressed by how they also provided a "spoon" so you can scoop up the contents without contaminating the mask.

please excuse the messy background 

This is how Skin79 describes this mask:

This moisture supplying mask full of as cool moisture as it was dipped from the ocean, is fit for those who have brittle, sensitive and thin skin. With Fucus vesiculous extract containing minerals and Allantoin in addition to Aloe extract, which is prominent in skin soothing effect, this gel type content promptly has soothing and moisturizing effect on skin as well as maintains the skin healthy by providing freshness and sufficient moisture.

Product is recommended for dry and sensitive skin types.

How to Use:

After cleansing and apply a thick layer of mask to the skin avoiding eye and lip area.

Rinse thoroughly after 10-15 minutes with lukewarm water.

Pack Size - 75ml

I fell in love with this mask at first use. The scent wasn't strong but it certainly reminds me of the smell of the ocean (don't know why). I guess my skin was exhausted due to recent weather changes, so when I applied this mask, I could feel my skin relax a bit. My skin felt a cool sensation later (not a minty kind of cool, more like ocean wind blowing in your face kind of cool).

I am obsessed with the packaging

First things I realized when I washed off the mask was that my skin was smooth... my skin wasn't moisturized  but it was very very smooth... like every mask we remove and wash off, I had to apply toner, moisturizer. I think the skin on my face was relaxed.

pros:

• smell
• effective - my skin felt so smooth
• attractive packaging
• reasonable price
• easy to wash off
• cools my face (which is what it should be doing)

cons:

• does not moisturize too well, (it does a great job "cooling" my skin though)

check out my reviews on other Skin79 Masks by clicking here!

website: http://www.skin79northamerica.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=91&category_id=32&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=53

UPDATE: website changed to: http://www.skin79.com/eng/product_eng?id=12&prdno=0000001183

Croley Foods - Sunflower Crackers review

Crackers are one of my favourite snacks because they are usually low in fat (compared to chips), tasty and can satisfy your hunger/craving.

I believe these crackers were made in the Philippines. To be honest, I have never had the opportunity to try Filipino food (other than Regent Sweet Corn). I can't remember how these ended up in my kitchen cabinet but I'm glad they did.

Here are the ingredients:

Wheat flour, vegetable oil (partially hydrogenated &/or hydrogenated coconut, palm, palm kernel or blends), sugar, cornstarch, milk powder, salt, baking soda, soy lecithin, yeast, natural color, artificial butter flavor.

I won't lie, I'm not too happy about the "artificial butter flavour bit. The ingredients made this cracker not sound very healthy. (biggest drawback)

After doing some research, I discovered that there are 12 different flavours. They range from normal flavours like peanut butter to not very normal flavours like: Chicken, Mango, etc

Despite it not being healthy, I think it is ok to have these once in a while. the taste is quite good, very buttery and does taste a bit artificial. If you are craving for something buttery, this might just quench it!

website: http://croleyfoods.com/products-page/sunflower/butter/

Remy's at Yorkville review

Fusilli Con Pollo

Located on Yorkville avenue, in the District of Yorkville, Remy's is one of the few restaurants that would stand out. It has a rooftop patio, one of the largest patios in Yorkville (as it claims). Sometimes when I pass by this place, I catch waves of their food scent inviting me to go in. I was intrigued by their great smells.

The menu was very simple, yet there was a good enough selection/variety. Everything looked really good, the prices were a bit pricey but given it is located in the heart of Yorkville, I consider it quite reasonable.

Remy's menu

I would like to comment how bad the service was, I have been warned but I was a bit skeptical. I figured that people in Yorkville probably demanded too much, these were my thought till the server came to our table to serve us. It was very hard to get her attention and to order food. When we asked to get more water, she gave us dirty looks. We waited for almost 20 minutes (and had to remind her kindly 2 times that we wanted water) before we could get our water.

Prices:
Fusilli Con Pollo Chicken breast, mushroom, peppers, sundried tomato cream sauce 14.50
Mussels in a thick creamy mustard sauce with garlic bread and 12.50

These were the two items we ordered.

mussels with garlic bread in a thick mustard sauce

First, I really want to comment on how good their mussels dish was, I would have never associated mustard with mussels, but it was very tasty. I highly HIGHLY recommend this dish (I am not sure if it is a seasonal dish though).

To be honest, the Fusilli Con Pollo Chicken was ok, the sundried tomato cream sauce was very tasty. But, after trying the mussels, we were expecting something as tasty.

I am not sure if I will come back to this place, maybe for the mussels? but definitely they need to "train" their servers.

website: http://www.remys.ca/home

Haagen-Dazs dulce de leche caramel ice cream review

photo credits: http://www.haagendazs.com/Products/Product/2459

I have always been a fan of Haagen-Dazs ice creams, they taste really good.

I had the chance to try out this dulce de leche flavour and I quite like it. I learned that dulce de leche is caramel.

in short:

• creamy
• great strong caramel taste
• not very sweet

I think having caramels once in a while is ok. I haven't thought about "Caramel" ice cream, since I usually thought caramels should be served "hot" because it enhances their flavour and chewiness. But, after trying this ice cream, I was able to taste the richness of caramel cold.

Definitely give this ice cream 10/10! (If you are a caramel fan, I highly recommend you try it!)

blog announcement

dear fellow reviewers, readers and friends,

I just logged into my blogger account and this is what I found...

1000 pageviews last month! :O

This is definitely a milestone for me, I want to thank you all for your help and support!

I know I still have a long way to go, I'm going to continue to write great reviews and hopefully breakthrough!

Thank you! :)

photo source: http://nvartscouncil.com/tag/thank-you/

Question: what are Softeners, Emulsions and Essences

Who here has been confused many MANY times about emulsions, softeners and essences? are they the same thing? or how different are they? Are there any equivalents? How are they different from our normal toners, serums, moisturizers? For those who enjoy using products from Asia, you will find terms like Emulsion, Essences and Softeners, and they can certainly be quite confusing.

I have been confused quite a few times, I recall several times when I was in Asia shopping for skincare products. I felt so out of place, so in order to know what I want to look for and what I need I did some research. Let me share with you some of my findings and hopefully they will help you "decode" these terms so you can find what you are looking for when you are shopping for Cosmetics in Asia (or looking for something in an Asian brand).


(see how Softeners, Emulsions and Essences are different/similar to Toners, Moisturizers and Serums)


Softeners: Softeners are usually confused with being Toners... they look similar BUT they do different things, a softener is used to moisturize (hence the name "Softener") while a toner is to clean and balance pH (I will write a post later about Toners). The steps to using Toners and Softeners are these are --> Toners, Softeners, Moisturizers. I guess there aren't real equivalents to Softeners.

(Softeners are usually found in Asian skin care products, they can be called "moisturizing lotions" but look like toners)

photo credits: www.productreview.com.au

Emulsions: Emulsions are similar to moisturizers but they are a lot lighter. In Asia, Emulsions are translated as "milk cream" to describe it's consistency (like milk). It is also more richer at the same time. Because of the weather conditions in Asia (mostly humid), a lot of women use emulsion as a daytime moisturizer.

image source: www.barneys.com

In Asia, they are very precise with naming their products, most people confuse Emulsions with Creams, they are similar as they are both moisturizers except emulsions are lighter and creams are richer and much thicker. This is why people usually use emulsions as a daytime moisturizer and creams as a night moisturizer. (This is usually why most emulsions have UV protection, while most Creams do not). 

image source: www.barneys.com

For those who have dry to very dry skin, they have the option to use both an emulsion and cream in the same routine. This will not "ruin" or "over saturate" your skin. However, the best way is to use Emulsion then cream though as this will create a much stronger moisture boost (because of its richness).




Essences: Essence is another word for serum, they are the same thing. Like serums, essences are used after toners and before moisturizers. 

photo credits: sk-ii.com

Essence or serums are concentrated forms of nutrients that are made so that your skin will immediately absorb it when applied, this helps fix "deeper" skin problems.

I am writing a post on serums (link will be posted here when it is done)


So, keep in mind Softeners, Emulsions and Essences can be used in the same skincare routine. Please read my other blog post to see how using Emulsions (moisturizers) and Essences (serums)  together can help enhance your skin.