Kraft Made an Oreo Specifically for Chinese Palates

The Oreo may be America’s favorite cookie, but the iconic cookies-and-cream biscuit didn’t make such a splash when it debuted in China in 1996. Apparently, they were too sweet for the Chinese palate, and according to an article by the Financial Times, by 2005, Kraft was losing money on each Oreo sold in the Chinese market.

Desperate to grasp hold of the Chinese snack market, Kraft Foods research lab in Suzhou developed several new variations of the Oreo cookie, ranging from lighter versions, rectangular versions and wafer stick versions. In spite of that, Chinese Oreo sales continued to drop.

After a merger with Heinz in 2015, Kraft is now introducing an all-new Oreo cookie spin-off tailored specifically for the Chinese customer: Jif Jaf. The new chocolate-sandwich cookie comes in four filling flavors of chocolate, matcha, spicy chili and cheese. Each flavor is personified by mascots who have their own personality — the cheese character is a “seductive” ladies’ man, the matcha character is chilled-out and zen-like, and the chili character is an “adrenaline junkie.”

Share your thoughts in the comments below and for more food news, Tabasco is celebrating its 150th anniversary with new Diamond Reserve red sauce that’s been aged for 15 years.

Introducing a delicious new biscuit brand in China, KRAFT JIF JAF! Flavors include seductive cheese & chocolate, wonderful matcha & chocolate, spicy chilli & chocolate and enticing double chocolate. The range is available in sandwich biscuits, wafer packs & butter cookies. Enjoy! pic.twitter.com/ULEjWImTXS

— Kraft Heinz Company (@KraftHeinzCo) April 25, 2018