Japanese convenience store, 7-Eleven, is launching two new winter ice cream varieties starting December 9th, a delight for any matcha lover. This time, the lineup is designed to satisfy both fans of “richness,” who seek the deep flavor of matcha, and fans of “texture,” who enjoy a variety of sensations, ensuring there’s something for everyone. Let’s take a peek into the world of these special, rewarding sweets that can only be enjoyed during a Japanese winter.
In Japan, it’s quite common for limited-edition products to appear with the changing of the seasons. Matcha, in particular, is an incredibly popular flavor enjoyed in various forms throughout the year, from fresh tea harvested in the spring to “kuradashi” (cellar-aged) matcha matured until autumn. These new releases are special products, meticulously planned to coincide with the “kuradashi matcha” season.
For Savoring Aged Matcha: The “Noko” (Rich Aroma) Ice Cream: Noko Uji Matcha Ice Cream
First up is an authentic ice cream that allows you to fully savor the full-bodied aroma and deep richness inherent to matcha: the “Noko Uji Matcha Ice Cream.”
Priced at 248 JPY (267.84 JPY with tax), it will be released sequentially at 7-Eleven stores across Japan starting December 9th. As it’s a limited-quantity item, it’s best to grab it as soon as you find it.
The most significant feature of this ice cream is, without a doubt, its key ingredient: “Kuradashi Jukusei Uji Matcha” (cellar-aged Uji matcha). Among the Uji teas from Kyoto Prefecture, which are world-renowned for their high quality, this special matcha is made exclusively from the year’s first-picked tea leaves harvested in the spring. These leaves are then carefully aged in a low-temperature cellar until autumn.
Through this aging period, the matcha’s aroma becomes more fragrant, and its flavor profile sheds any harshness, deepening into a smooth richness and umami. This is truly a matcha whose deliciousness has been cultivated by time.
The moment you open the lid, the deep aroma of matcha gently wafts up. The first bite reveals the rich body and mellow sweetness of the cream, which then gives way to matcha’s characteristic gentle bitterness, creating an incredibly rich experience. Even after you’ve finished, a sweet and fragrant aftertaste lingers. It can be described as the perfect reward ice cream for adults, meant to be savored slowly during a quiet moment at the end of the day.
A Matcha-Packed Ice Cream for Texture Lovers: 7-Premium Matcha Chocolate Bar
Next, we introduce a playful treat that lets you enjoy the charm of matcha through various textures: the “7-Premium Matcha Chocolate Bar.” This is also priced at 248 JPY (267.84 JPY with tax) and will similarly be released across the country on December 9th.
This ice cream bar is perfectly described by the phrase “matcha-zukushi” (packed with matcha). The outside is coated in Uji matcha chocolate embedded with Uji matcha chips, creating a delightful “crisp” and “crunchy” sound with every bite.
Hidden inside is a smooth and rich Uji matcha ice cream. And what’s more, generously mixed into the ice cream is Dainagon Amanatto from Hokkaido (a type of traditional Japanese confection made by simmering large adzuki beans in sugar).
Following the light texture of the coating, the smooth melt of the ice cream and the chewy texture and gentle sweetness of the amanatto appear one after another, creating a magnificent harmony in your mouth. The combination of matcha’s rich aroma and subtle bitterness with the elegant sweetness of the adzuki beans expands into a deep world of “Wa” (Japanese harmony). It’s a luxurious Japanese-style ice cream, perfect as a reward after a long day or when you want to refresh your mood.
A major appeal of Japanese convenience store sweets is that you can casually enjoy authentic flavors, rivaling those of specialty shops, during your travels or in your daily life. If you happen to visit Japan this winter, why not try these special, 7-Eleven exclusive matcha ice creams that you can only find at this time of year?
Prices may vary by store.
The price including tax is calculated based on Japan’s 8% reduced tax rate.
Products are available while supplies last.
Please note that some stores may not carry these products.
All images are for illustrative purposes only.
Source: 蔵出し熟成宇治抹茶使用の本格派「濃香 宇治抹茶アイス」と食感を楽しむ抹茶づくし「セブンプレミアム チョコレートバー抹茶」12月9日（火）からセブン‐イレブン限定で販売開始
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