Japanese convenience stores (Konbini) are world-famous as places where high-quality sweets are available 24 hours a day. Among them, a particularly noteworthy new ice cream is making its debut.
Haagen-Dazs Japan is releasing a new flavor, “Affogato: Scented Espresso,” from its popular “GREEN CRAFT” series, which uses plant-based milk. The release date is Tuesday, February 3, 2026. This product has gained support from health-conscious Japanese consumers as a “guilt-free treat.”
Richness Unimaginable for a Soy Milk Base and Authentic Espresso
The theme of this ice cream is the Italian dessert “Affogato.” Usually, Affogato consists of hot espresso coffee poured over vanilla ice cream. This product recreates that “harmony of sweetness and bitterness” in a single cup.
According to a survey by Haagen-Dazs Japan (September 2025), 95.5% of people who purchased the “GREEN CRAFT” series said they “want to buy it again.” The creaminess that overturns the conventional wisdom that “plant-based milk ice cream tastes watery” is the reason for its popularity.
Two Obsessions of the Development Team
This product isn’t just vanilla ice cream mixed with coffee sauce. The Japanese development team was thoroughly obsessive about their choice of ingredients.
1. The Scent of Madagascan Vanilla Although the base is soy milk, it uses fragrant Madagascan vanilla. While taking advantage of the richness of soy milk, they have achieved the smooth texture characteristic of Haagen-Dazs. Even those who have felt unsatisfied with plant-based milk ice cream will be surprised by its richness.
2. Sauce Using Ethiopian Mocha The espresso sauce blends coffee beans from Ethiopian Mocha. Furthermore, “coffee extract,” which concentrates the aroma of roasting, has been added. This creates a deep bitterness and aroma that stands up to the sweetness of the vanilla.
Balancing “Health” and “Luxury”
The current trend for ice cream in Japanese Konbini is balancing “healthiness” with “rich taste.” Eating cold ice cream in a warm room is a particular pleasure for Japanese people from winter to spring.
For those who hesitate to eat ice cream with high milk fat content every day, this plant-based milk ice cream is the perfect choice. The gentle flavor of soy milk and the sharp bitterness of espresso make it a dessert for adults. It is perfect for relaxing after work or after a bath.
Product Details
If you plan to visit Japan or live in Japan, please check your local convenience store or supermarket on the release date. Since it is a limited-time product, we recommend purchasing it early.
- Product Name: Haagen-Dazs GREEN CRAFT Mini Cup “Affogato: Scented Espresso”
- Type: Frozen Dessert (Classified as “Hyoka” in Japan due to plant-based ingredients, but the taste is rich)
- Ingredients: Soy milk (manufactured in Japan), sugar, espresso coffee sauce, starch syrup, egg yolk, salt / vanilla flavoring, stabilizer (pectin), (contains eggs and soybeans in part)
- Volume: 110ml (approx. 3.7 fl oz)
- Price: 351 yen (tax included)
- Release Date: Tuesday, February 3, 2026
- Sales Locations: Convenience stores, supermarkets, and department stores nationwide in Japan
Visit a Japanese Convenience Store on February 3rd
Sweet vanilla and bittersweet espresso. “Affogato: Scented Espresso,” which finishes this classic combination lightly with a soy milk base, is also recommended for those trying plant-based milk ice cream for the first time.
If you visit a Japanese convenience store on or after February 3, 2026, please look for this package in the ice cream section.
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