The snack conglomerate is opening the center as a joint-venture partner with Hsu Fu Chi, a Chinese confectionery and snack manufacturer, in order to further research the science of “confectionery and ice cream”.

As Nestle already has some 8,000 brands of food in its coffers, we must ask the obvious question: what new flavors could we possibly expect from this new R&D center?

Since localization in China requires a harmonious balance of featured American product with Chinese characteristics, here’s a look at what may soon be conjured up by the confectionery wizards based on other East-West food product hybrids currently on sale in China.

Pepsi-Chicken Chips

People in China may be unaware of “tailgate parties”, but that doesn’t stop locals from making some delicious chicken wings. One of these recipes involves using cola in order to caramelize the wings, and it isn’t that strange once you’ve tried it… at least in the original form.

Possible Nestle R&D suggestions:

• Pepsi-Chicken Cheerios breakfast cereal
• Pepsi-Chicken Movenpick ice cream
• Pepsi-Chicken Nesquik

Numb and Spicy Hot Pot Chips

There are a lot of new flavor variations on potato chips that include blueberry, cucumber, and shrimp, so we thought we’d include this other one.

Hot pot is a popular choice for dining out in China, and the communal nature of a group huddled around a single stove is the same as that when sharing a single bag of chips, we’re sure.

Possible Nestle R&D suggestions:

• Hot Pot Hot Pockets (please make this a reality, if just for the alliteration)

Varied Oreo Cookie Flavors

The Chinese palate is acclimated to a different set of tastes from that of a North American consumer, and part of that has to do with the great variety of fruits that grow in Asia. We can see a variety of Oreo flavors here, so there’s no reason to believe the localization process couldn’t go further.

Possible Nestle R&D suggestions:

• Mango Aero chocolate bars
• Green Tea Butterfingers
• Durian Kit-Kat bar
• Jujube Smarties
• Lychee Libby’s Tea

Along with the Nescafe Coffee Center built last year in Yunnan, it looks like the science of snacks and refreshment is well-looked after in China at the moment.

Photos: IB Times, the Nanfang, gunaxin, China Daily