"Care-AH-Mel" or "CAR-Mel"? HI-CHEW's New Caramel Apple Flavor Ignites a Sweet Conversation

Survey reveals nearly 3 in 5 Americans pronounce "caramel" as "Care-AH-Mel"

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Sep 12, 2018, 10:00 ET

IRVINE, Calif., Sept. 12, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- HI-CHEW™, the immensely fruity, intensely chewy candy, is welcoming the fall season with a new, limited edition Caramel Apple flavor. With the nostalgic taste of a fresh, juicy apple wrapped in sweet caramel, HI-CHEW™ Caramel Apple gives new life to the gooey, candy-coated treat of your childhood.

HI-CHEW™, the immensely fruity, intensely chewy candy, is welcoming the fall season with a new, limited edition Caramel Apple flavor.

While lively fall carnivals and apple pickings galore have made the caramel apple a beloved autumn delight across the United States, HI-CHEW's new offering still begs the question: Does America pronounce "caramel" as "Care-AH-Mel" or "CAR-Mel"? A recent survey commissioned by HI-CHEW™ and conducted online by The Harris Poll among over 2,000 U.S. adults puts this long-lasting flavor debate to rest:

Nearly 3 in 5 Americans (57%) pronounce "caramel" as "Care-AH-Mel," while just over one third (36%) pronounce it as "CAR-Mel."
Americans in the Northeast and South are more likely to pronounce "caramel" as "Care-AH-Mel" than those in the Midwest (63% and 61% vs. 49%).
Americans in the Midwest are nearly split down the middle, with (49%) pronouncing "caramel" as "Care-AH-Mel" and (43%) pronouncing it as "CAR-Mel."

However you say it, HI-CHEW's new Caramel Apple flavor is upping the ante for your fall sweets, minus the sticky fingers. Each chew features a tart, bright green apple center for a burst of vibrant apple flavor complemented by a sweet, buttery and chewy caramel exterior. The seasonal offering is available in bonus-size sticks, with 12 individually wrapped pieces instead of the traditional 10 pieces, making it great to snack on with family and friends.

"We want to keep candy lovers on their toes with flavors that combine real fruit juices and iconic American tastes with the deliciously chewy texture that HI-CHEW™ fans love," said Norio Otsuki, Chief Operating Officer of Morinaga America, Inc. "In experimenting with different palates and flavor combinations for the fall, our team of experts was inspired to create Caramel Apple, a flavor that truly encompasses the spirit of the season."

As Morinaga America, Inc. celebrates a decade of HI-CHEW™ in the United States, the company is excited to continue bringing forth new and exciting flavor options. Each offering in HI-CHEW's flavor portfolio has been thoroughly researched and specifically selected by a team of research and development experts who are attuned to consumer preferences and trends, resulting in real fruit flavors and irresistibly chewy candies.

HI-CHEW™ Caramel Apple sticks are available online at www.HI-CHEW.com and in-store at select Walgreens. Caramel Apple has a suggested retail price of $1.39 (varies per market). To learn more about HI-CHEW™, please like us on Facebook, and follow us on Instagram (@HICHEWUSA) and Twitter (@HICHEW).

About Morinaga America, Inc.:
Established in 2008, Morinaga America, Inc. is the official manufacturer and distributor of HI-CHEW™ in the United States. With over 170 flavors of HI-CHEW™ having debuted in Japan, Morinaga America, Inc. has introduced the United States market to the best of Japanese confectionery. Morinaga America, Inc. (marketing and sales) and Morinaga America Foods, Inc. (manufacturing) are wholly-owned subsidiaries of Morinaga & Co., Ltd., which began in 1899 as the first, modern candy maker and producer of chocolates in Japan. In 2015, Morinaga America, Inc. opened its first United States manufacturing facility in North Carolina.

About HI-CHEW™:
The history of Morinaga stretches back over a century, when company founder Taichiro Morinaga brought his candy making skills to Japan from America in the 1800s. HI-CHEW™ has long been the best-selling soft candy in Japan and continues to see year-over-year growth throughout other parts of Asia and in the United States. In the United States, HI-CHEW™ is currently offered in the following flavors: Strawberry, Green Apple, Mango, Grape, Banana, Kiwi, Açaí, and limited edition Caramel Apple. HI-CHEW™ also offers Sours in Lemon, Lime and Grapefruit, Fizzies in Cola and Orange Soda, and a new Tropical Mix with Kiwi, Mango and Pineapple. HI-CHEW™ is made with real fruit juice and purees and is 100% free of gluten, cholesterol and artificial colors. HI-CHEW™ continues to expand fruity, chewy flavor offerings annually.

Survey Method:
This survey was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of HI-CHEW™ from August 2-6, 2018 among 2,017 U.S. adults ages 18 and older. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no estimate of theoretical sampling error can be calculated. For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables and subgroup sample sizes, please contact Jaimie Caiazzo at [email protected].

SOURCE HI-CHEW