McDonald's Japan has unveiled four new beverages that will go on sale from the company's McCafé by Barista chain from September 12 for a limited period. The drinks include Brown Sugar Syrup & Soybean Flour Matcha Frappe, Matcha Latte Frappe, Iced Matcha Latte and Matcha Latte.   Mcdonald's Japan's seasonal autumn-time matcha series of drinks is a huge hit every year. This year they are putting in even more matcha powder from Uji in each of the drinks to make the matcha flavour even more full-bodied.

Brown Sugar Syrup & Soybean Flour Matcha Frappe: M ¥490 / L ¥530

The popular Brown Sugar Syrup & Soybean Flour Matcha Frappe was first brought to McDonald's in Japan last year. It takes the classic matcha latte frappe made with delicious milk farmed in Japan and combines it with rich and flavoursome soybean flour as well as brown sugar syrup from Okinawa Prefecture. It's topped with chewy white rice flour dumplings and whipped cream. It's creamy and irresistible.

Matcha Latte Frappe: M ¥450 / L ¥490

By adding more Uji matcha to the Matcha Latte Frappe they have added an extra layer of richness of the drink. The whipped cream is sprinkled with matcha powder giving it a Japanese-style taste and appearance.  

Iced Matcha Latte: M ¥390 / L ¥430

The characteristic of the Iced Matcha Latte is the full-bodied flavour created by the bitter Uji matcha and milk. Like the Matcha Latte Frappe, the whipped cream is complemented by powdered matcha which gives a Japanese flavour to this dessert drink.

Matcha Latte: S ¥350 / M ¥390

  The Matcha Latte is decaffinated and combines the flavourful taste of Uji matcha and subtly sweet milk.   Try McDonald's new matcha drinks while in Japan this autumn.  

Hiroo's popular café CANVAS TOKYO opened its second branch in Daikanyama in November last year, ink. by CANVAS TOKYO. The café released a new iced beverage menu titled "ink. LATTE" on August 3, 2018 which includes 6 different lattes. The new menu is an iced version of their already popular colourful ink. LATTE hot beverage selection which is hugely popular for its use of natural ingredients. Since opening in November 2017 the café planned to sell the hot ink. LATTE drinks until spring 2018, but due to their immense popularity, they have extended the sales period. There's also been an increase in requests for iced versions, so CANVAS TOKYO got to work and has delivered for its customers. The drink line-up for the iced drinks, just like the hot ones, includes: Matcha Latte which uses handpicked matcha from Magouemon, Kyoto matcha farmers with a 222 year history, Red Velvet Latte which uses beetroots grown in Japan, Purple Sweet Potato Latte, Pumpkin Latte, and finally Japanese Latte which is made using bamboo charcoal and black sesame seeds. Each latte is handcrafted by experts with their eye-catching colours made to look like ink.   The café also plants to collaborate with artists and creators to help add colour to the outside and interior.   Which flavoured ink iced latte do you want to try this most?  

I rode the train on Keio line, Shinjuku station the hustle and bustle high building area on the back. For about 15 minutes, I was staring at the slowing changing view from the train. I got to the restaurant in Chitose-karasuyama that many girls from all over Japan come here to get “drinkable jewelry.”

I looked inside from the laced curtain looked like ribbon on the door. The toys that I used to play with when I was little looked like they were smiling at me as if they are saying “come inside.”

 

When I opened the door, I felt like I leaped back from Heisei era to Showa era. There are photographs of Seiko Matsuda, who is a popular pop idol in Showa era, and her songs were playing. It is such a nostalgic atmosphere. The person who runs this café which is like a full of dreams and admires when she was little is Naomi Kanai. “I opened this café, “Kissa Housekibako” since I love too much about the Japanese pop idols and goods in Showa era. I mainly collect the music and items from 1970 to late 80s. I am very happy when the girls who don't even know about this era visit here and say it is cool or cute about the stuff in this café,” she gently told us.

 

Anyway, the main purpose of this visit is “drinkable jewelry” as known as “cream soba” which was everyone’s favorite food when they are little.

 

The standard color of cream soda is supposed to be green, but the one in “Kissa Housekibako” appeared in a very girly color. They appeared in cute and shiny spring colors.

Peach flavored one named “rose quarts(550yen include tax)” taste sweet and sour. This drink goes with the strong love songs sung by “candies” which was a famous Japanese idol group take light steps.

Strawberry flavored one named “Ruby(550yen include tax)” is like a sweet taste of love. This clear spring color reminds me of Seiko Matsuda’s hit song, “Red sweet pea.”

The grape flavored one named “Amethyst(550yen include tax)” taste of matured love. The sexy form of the cup reminds me of “Pinklady”, the famous Japanese pop idol group who  dances gorgeously.

You may be able to encounter limited flavor and refreshing idol songs in this summer!

You cannot miss the spaghetti Neapolitan(600yen include tax)  if you want to enjoy Showa taste. It has chewy spaghetti noodle and bacon, onions and bell pepper chopped in large sizes. The texture of soft noodles and the sour taste of tomato ketchup took me into the nostalgic world.

It has been 8 years since the opening. “Thanks to social media, people even from other countries visit here to get the colorful cream soda. This café is made of Showa era culture, but Heisei era culture support us as well.” Not only young people but also people from other countries have been attracted by their music and items. “Hosekibako” (Jewelry box) that is made by Naomi-San has full of smiles from all over the world.

 

Ueki　Yuriko（food writer)

 

 

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