Have you ever had a Kinder Surprise?

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09 Apr 2010 05:58 AM
The Original An Gadaí

Have you ever had a Kinder Surprise?

Apparently they're illegal in the USA.

http://cm.iparenting.com/fc/editor_f...rprise_Egg.jpg

They are chocolate eggs with a shell inside that contains a toy.
Fun for all the family, just don't choke on the toy.
09 Apr 2010 06:53 AM
Feirefiz

Yes, quite a few, but that's hardly surprising.

In fact I had some for Easter this time.
09 Apr 2010 08:26 AM
Zuul

I am a poor deprived American and have never had one. I suppose the thinking here is that children will gnaw through the shell inside and eat the toys? Oh, America. :911:
09 Apr 2010 08:39 AM
What Exit?

It is true, American kids must be protected from themselves at all costs. In fact the proposal to wrap them in bubble wrap, sfatey helmets, mouthguards and feed them through a straw is wending its way through congress as we speak.

USA Kids, the new Veal!
09 Apr 2010 08:51 AM
Inner Stickler

Illegal? Since when? Are you telling me my relatives are german kids' chocolate smugglers?
09 Apr 2010 08:58 AM
Cluricaun

You can get them at ethnic markets, it's not like they're as illegal as heroin or anything. They're more like illegal as lawn darts.

I think that the chocolate quality is poor and the toys tend to suck, but I've certainly had one before.
09 Apr 2010 08:59 AM
The Original An Gadaí

Quote:

Originally posted by Zuul

I am a poor deprived American and have never had one. I suppose the thinking here is that children will gnaw through the shell inside and eat the toys? Oh, America. :911:

I'll send you some in your prize! :)
09 Apr 2010 09:01 AM
Zuul

Quote:

Originally posted by Orbo, Magnifulent

I'll send you some in your prize! :)

Aw. You're awesome. Is there any sort of weird American thing I can send you? :D
09 Apr 2010 09:03 AM
The Original An Gadaí

Quote:

Originally posted by Cluricaun

You can get them at ethnic markets, it's not like they're as illegal as heroin or anything. They're more like illegal as lawn darts.

I think that the chocolate quality is poor and the toys tend to suck, but I've certainly had one before.

I think the chocolate in them is really nice. I prefer to buy the little bars though than the eggs. Bueno ain't bad neither.

http://chocolat.com/ProductImages/ki...inderBueno.jpg
09 Apr 2010 09:05 AM
Cluricaun

The same shops sell those, but I've never bought one.

I just wish there was a steady supply of Flake bars around. Those are awesome, if a little on the messy side.
09 Apr 2010 09:41 AM
OneCentStamp

I've had them. They're expensive, the chocolate sucks and the toys are more likely to kill you through boredom than choking. Not one of Europe's high water marks, culturally speaking. :D
09 Apr 2010 09:47 AM
Orual

Yeah, I don't quite get the appeal. The chocolate tastes like the plastic inside, and the toys ... I got a plastic dog that only stands on its head. According to the little paper slip it came with, this is supposed to be some kind of cool game. It's not.
09 Apr 2010 11:24 AM
The Original An Gadaí

Are they sending the duds to the US? The chocolate tastes fine to me but then a lot of American chocolate/candy tastes kinda rancid to me. :)
09 Apr 2010 11:32 AM
OneCentStamp

Quote:

Originally posted by Orbo, Magnifulent

Are they sending the duds to the US? The chocolate tastes fine to me but then a lot of American chocolate/candy tastes kinda rancid to me. :)

Maybe it's a freshness issue. Chocolate does not suffer the indignities of time, temperature, and humidity gladly.
09 Apr 2010 12:05 PM
OtakuLoki

Never had one, and the impression I've had has been the same as most other Americans who have pointed out the poor taste of the chocolate.

Quote:

Originally posted by OneCentStamp

Maybe it's a freshness issue. Chocolate does not suffer the indignities of time, temperature, and humidity gladly.

I imagine this has a lot more to do with things than initial quality of the chocolate.
09 Apr 2010 02:28 PM
artifex

Quote:

Originally posted by OneCentStamp

Maybe it's a freshness issue. Chocolate does not suffer the indignities of time, temperature, and humidity gladly.

Well, it's milk chocolate, and you hate milk chocolate, so I suspect that's part of the problem.

It seems to me that they used to have much cooler toys. I used to have, for example, a goose that held a crayon on its back, and a little oven on wheels that would open and shut as you rolled it along. They were very cute. Then I found Kinder Eggs again a couple years ago and was dismayed that the toys seem to be getting lamer. They seem to be heading along the same path as Cracker Jack boxes, which now have prizes that are so stupid, it'd be better to not have them at all, and save the expectation of amusement. The local foodie boutique sells them, but I never get them because they're like $2 and I know I'll just be disappointed.

Also, milk chocolate really is inferior.
09 Apr 2010 02:39 PM
Feirefiz

Quote:

Originally posted by artifex

The local foodie boutique sells them, but I never get them because they're like $2 and I know I'll just be disappointed.

Ok, that's a bit much. Here they are about $0.70 and that seems more reasonable.

I read on Wikipedia that the toys actually differ between markets. It is possible that Americans get Latin American toys and not European ones.

A friend of mine once worked at the Ferrero factory, but I think not with the eggs specifically. Workers were officially allowed to eat as much of the stuff as they wanted.
09 Apr 2010 02:39 PM
What Exit?

Quote:

Originally posted by Orbo

Are they sending the duds to the US? The chocolate tastes fine to me but then a lot of American chocolate/candy tastes kinda rancid to me. :)

Hersey's Milk Chocolate in particular is know for a sour milk taste. As that is our #1 chocolate company the rancid taste does not surprise me. I can't really comment as I don't really like any milk chocolate. I love dark chocolate and think even Hersey's Special Dark is quite tasty. If I have milk chocolate it is because it is the outside of a Snickers or Peanut Butter Cup.

Quote:

Originally posted by Feirefiz

A friend of mine once worked at the Ferrero factory, but I think not with the eggs specifically. Workers were officially allowed to eat as much of the stuff as they wanted.

I turned down a job with Ferrero years ago. I really like their Hazel Nut Chocolate balls. (Rocher) My sister is a life long Tic Tac addict and was sorry I turned down the job.
10 Apr 2010 01:33 PM
Johnny

Quote:

Originally posted by OneCentStamp

I've had them. They're expensive, the chocolate sucks and the toys are more likely to kill you through boredom than choking. Not one of Europe's high water marks, culturally speaking. :D

Yeah, that about covers it. I've had a few toys that were actually fun, but only for a few minutes after putting them together. I'd be more inclined to get them occasionally if the chocolate was any good.

(AFAIK, they are not banned in the U.S. The U.S. is where I've bought ever Kinder Egg I've had.)
12 Apr 2010 11:13 PM
AllWalker

Hah, nostalgia. I haven't eaten one of those in ages.

Of course, I'm mildly sick of the ads for them which have been all over the TV. That time of year, I suppose. Damn kids and their consumer power...
16 Apr 2010 06:32 PM
Capybara

Last weekend I got one of the big ones (the 10-inch ones that cost 10 Euros, which I've never seen in the states-- I think it is these large ones that are illegal here?) and the toy was awesome.
16 Apr 2010 06:46 PM
OneCentStamp

Quote:

Originally posted by Capybara

Last weekend I got one of the big ones (the 10-inch ones that cost 10 Euros, which I've never seen in the states-- I think it is these large ones that are illegal here?) and the toy was awesome.

Well, hell. That big, and for that much money, it should have a goddamn iPod inside. :D
16 Apr 2010 10:22 PM
The Original An Gadaí

I've not seen one of these monsters. Cite?
17 Apr 2010 08:05 AM
Capybara

http://madhattersneverland.blogspot....rise-maxi.html
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dlightful/3181425338/

Apparently they come out at Xmas and Easter and I was in Italy at the right time. My toy was a sort of felt dart board thing with some velcro-covered felt balls to throw at it.
17 Apr 2010 09:33 AM
artifex

I got one yesterday while at the food boutique, thinking of this thread. It cost $2.09 (plus tax), and I was really hoping the toy would suck, but no. It was...I think a rabbit-eared rhino? The ears are long and paper and when you toss it into the air, it helicopters down. Damn it! :Shake: Not only is it fun (our 8yo wanted both the chocolate and the toy), it's whimsical in a way you'd pretty much never see in an American toy prize. So I have to retract my previous statement about the toys, but they're still overpriced.
26 Apr 2010 06:55 PM
Hatshepsut

My son loved kinder eggs when he was younger. They were easy to get in Egypt.

I think you can buy them here in Jakarta, but I'm not sure. My curiosity is piqued, though. I'm going to get one next time I'm in the grocery store, assuming I remember and they are available. I will post a report, if any.