What Makes Pretz a Standout Japanese Snack? Explore Flavors, History,

Most people know Ezaki Glico as the manufacturer of Pocky biscuit sticks. However, the company has another iconic biscuit stick brand known as Pretz. This post is dedicated to all things Pretz in Japan and beyond. Get ready to discover why it’s a top choice among Japanese snacks and how it came so famous. What is Pretz? Pretz is a biscuit stick seasoned with various flavors. It’s made by Japanese multinational food company Ezaki Glico, which is the same producer of Pocky. Enjoyed as an everyday cookie, Pretz is one of the most popular snacks in Japan. Unlike Pocky, which is coated in chocolate cream, Pretz sticks are seasoned with sweet or savory flavors like pizza, salt, and sweet corn. Pretz’s texture is more similar to pretzels than it is to Pocky. It’s thin, crispy, and crunchy. The snack has three main sizes. In ascending order, they are Kids, Regular, and Giant Pretzs. Is Pretz the Same as Pocky? Pretz and Pocky are both slender and long biscuits produced by Glico. However, they are not the same products. Pretz was first launched in 1963, while its sibling snack, Pocky, was launched in 1966. Also, unlike Pocky, Pretz is not coated in sweet fudge or chocolate topping. Instead, it’s covered in seasoned dust-like filling. In terms of flavors, Pocky tends to be sweeter than its sibling snack, but Pretz’s flavors are often salty or savory. Both types of cookies are popular globally, although Pocky is more famous. The Origin and Meaning of Pretz Pretz was created by Ezaki Glico in 1963. Its name was derived from "pretzel," a brittle and crunchy cracker that originated in Germany. Upon release, the brand’s promise was the iconic tagline, “Hello, Me Time!” This was a smart way to convey Pretz’s intended use, which was to get customers to immerse themselves in enjoying the savory treat. The original plan for Pretz was to make it a sweet snack, but the decision makers at Glico decided to go the savory route. They would later implement the initial idea with the release of Pocky three years later. However, please note that modern Pretz has both sweet and non-sweet options. Over the decades, Glico has launched dozens of standard, seasonal, and limited-edition Pretz flavors, including Pizza, BBQ Chicken, Edamame, Toasted Sugar, Bacon, and Melon. What is the Flavor of the Original Pretz? Pretz Original was first released in 1963 upon launch of the brand and is still available today. It’s lightly salted with a touch of umami. The original version set the tone for later variations. Today, most of the Pretz flavors are savory, salty, or umami-rich. There are only a few sweet flavors. Many new variations have been created for regions outside of Japan. For example, Tom Yum Kung (Thailand), Hawaiian Pineapple (Hawaii), Singapore Original (Singapore), and Shark’s Fin (Hong Kong). Discovering the Unique Pretz Flavors of Japan Japanese Pretzs have some of the most unique flavors you’ve ever seen. These exciting tastes allow the brand to appeal to a wide range of taste buds. Let’s highlight some of the most popular flavors of Pretz in Japan: Spicy Barbeque: This one tastes a lot like BBQ sauce. It features a tangy, smoky, and spicy flavor. This variation has a high fiber content. Tomato: You’ll love the buttery aroma and umami-rich taste of tomato pesto mixed with olive oil. Salad: Salad Pretz had its flavor modified in 2017 with the addition of a fermented liquid. This created a delicious, rich aroma that many consumers find addictive. Since then, Salad Pretz has become one of the most popular variations. Roast Salted Butter: This product features a special butter source from Hokkaido. Its sweet, salty, and rich flavor comes from the fermentation and seasoning of the butter. Butter Soy Sauce: The umami-rich flavor of soy sauce pairs nicely with the taste of butter. Limited-Edition Pretz Flavors Worth Trying Some of the most exciting snack flavors in the world are only available for a short period, and Pretz is no exception. In this section, we’ll take a look at the best limited-edition Pretz flavors. All of them are hard to find, and some have already been discontinued. Melon Pan: Infused with the taste of the Japanese sweet bun, Melon Pan Pretz consists of flat biscuit sticks. It’s part of the Bakery Flat Style series. Bacon: This one accurately brings the taste of smoked bacon on wood chips. It’s the perfect party snack if you can get your hands on it. Caramel: Designed with images of the Glico Running Man, a large sign located in one of Osaka’s biggest shopping districts. You get to enjoy the sweet taste of caramel. Matcha Vanilla: This is a double-layered snack with one part matcha (green tea) and the other vanilla. Seasonal Pretz Flavors You Will Love People in Japan are keen on seasonal foods, including tasty treats like Pretz. Ezaki Glico has released all kinds of winter, fall, and summer flavors to cater to their needs. Check them out. Winter Flavors Perfect treats to warm you up when the weather gets cold. Ham and Cheese: The intense flavor and aroma of warm cheese and harm will be your ideal winter companion. Teriyaki Burger: This fiery delight brings you the spiciness of teriyaki sauce and the umami-richness of beef patty. Fall Flavors The fall season is full of Halloween-themed package designs and lots more. Halloween Salad: This snack comes with the classic salad flavor spread out into multiple Halloween-themed bags, ideal for sharing during fall celebrations. Magical Milk: Filled with milk-flavored biscuit sticks, this treat is perfect for pairing with popular Pretz flavors like salad and tomato. Summer Flavors The summer season probably has the most options. For some reason, Ezaki Glico loves to release seasonal flavors during that period. Let’s check out the top variations: Coriander: You get to enjoy the herbal and slightly spicy taste of real coriander. Schimi Chilli: This one’s for those who love to enjoy spicy food despite the summer heat. It offers just the right amount of spiciness. Salt Lemon: This fiber-rich treat will thrill your taste buds with its refreshing and cool taste. Wasabi: Pair Wasabi Pretz with cold beer whenever you want a break from the summer heat. It’s spicy taste blends well with alcoholic beverages and fizzy drinks. Region-Exclusive Pretz Flavors You Can Find in Japan Spending time in Japan gives you the perfect opportunity to shop for rare, region-specific Pretzs. You may enjoy the diverse taste in Japan or take the snacks back home as a souvenir. Hokkaido Butter (Hokkaido): This giant-sized snack is seasoned with rich butter from the region. Okinawa Brown Sugar (Okinawa): The region has some of the tastiest brown sugar in the country, making this Pretz a must-try. Edomurasaki (Tokyo): The edomurasaki seaweed paste is a staple in Japanese cooking, but has been adapted as seasoning for biscuit sticks. Strawberry (Kanto): You’ll only find it in the Kanto region, which includes famous Japanese cities like Tokyo, Yokohama, Chiba, and Kawasaki. Glico: The Famous Japanese Snack Company Behind Pretz Ezaki Glico is the powerhouse behind Pretz, Pocky, Pejoy, Calipso, and other beloved Japanese snacks. Headquartered in Osaka, Japan, the company is a major player in the global food processing industry. Glico was founded in 1922, making it over a century old. Since entering the international scene in 1932, Glico’s network has expanded to include locations in 12 different countries. Why Pretz is a Top Choice Among Japanese Snacks Pretz is considered one of the best Japanese snacks because of its versatility, unique taste, and packaging that appeals to all ages. Its seasonal, regional, and limited-edition releases keep consumers interested in the product. Pretz Around the World: Global Popularity You can find Pretz in several overseas countries. Some of these locations have their own region-exclusive releases. Larb and Tom Yum Kung flavors were created for Thailand. BBQ Chicken, Jumbo Chili Crab, and Hainanese Chicken Rice snacks are exclusive to the Singaporean market. Other exclusive international flavors include China’s Mapo Tofu, Canada’s Maple, and Hong Kong’s Abalone Oyster Sauce. Bokksu Market Offers Pretz Flavors You’ll Love Bokksu Market has made some of the best Japanese Pretz products available to people in the U.S. Many of them are sourced directly from Japan. You’ll find flavors like Spicy Barbeque, Sweet Corn, Sour Cream & Onion, and Pizza on our platform. How to Enjoy Pretz: Pairings and Occasions There is no limitation on how you choose to enjoy Pretz. You may mix multiple flavors or pair the snack with tea, coffee, alcohol, soda, or soup. The packaging is quite handy, and the snacks themselves are light, so Pretz can make the perfect portable snack for busy lifestyles. Feel free to add it to your snack box. You may also share packs of the treat with friends during social events. Pretz and Japanese Snack Culture Pretz is a commercial reflection of the love of unique flavors in Japanese culture. By offering all kinds of sweet and savory tastes using everyday ingredients, the brand creates a nostalgic appeal for locals and tourists alike. Your Guide to the Best Japanese Snacks Near You Looking for popular Japanese snacks from companies like Glico in your location? Feel free to visit the nearest Asian grocery store or supermarket. Alternatively, you can shop on an online platform like Bokksu Market. We offer a wide range of Japanese snacks and candy made by Glico and other popular brands. All you need to do is shop for as many of them as you want and we’ll deliver to your location in the U.S.