Pepero Day officially launched in 1997 and in recent years has accounted for a staggering 50% of Lotte's annual profits.

When was Pepero invented?

The name Pocky represents the snapping sound made while eating it — pokkin pokkin — to the Japanese ear, the company's Web site says. Lotte Confectionery, a South Korean food company, started making a strikingly similar product — while denying it had copied Pocky — called Pepero in 1983.

What's the difference between Pocky and Pepero?

The biscuit was very similar to Pocky, in terms of texture and crunch. However, the Pepero one seemed to be tastier, with a kind of buttery taste and feel when it has melted in your mouth. As for the chocolate, it was by far the best, with a really satisfying milk chocolate taste to it.