One of the great things about living abroad is that you never know how or where you are going to find inspiring product names. Case in point, Garoto’s Surreal bonbons and Elvan’s Schock Aerated Plain chocolate bars.

Turkey’s Elvan makes the Shock “Aerated Plain Chocolate” bar in several flavors. It was very light (aerated) and easy to eat, but it left an oily after-taste on the roof of my mouth. I kept thinking there must be something about the lightness that would appeal to people in hotter climes (though that after-taste would appeal to few). Regardless, the Shock name works on several levels in the crowded candy bar field. It stands apart from Lindt – who has a line of bars called “Excellence” and Mozartkugel which, while tasty, from a branding POV, is only riding the famed composer’s coat-tails.

Brazilian-made Garoto’s Surreal is a hazelnut-filled bonbon surronded by a crunchy wafer. While the bonbons themselves were not surreal (they were tasty), the name kicks ass. Depending on the audience, you know who is going to choose a Surreal over a Snickers or Three Musketeers.

Someone, please create a new type of taste experience, name it ‘Surreal Shock’ and you’ll find those bars flying off the shelves.