Starbucks Japan Osaka Celebrates 20th Anniversary With Meccha Matcha Latte & Frappuccino

06.November.2018 | FOOD

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of Starbucks Japan setting up shop in Osaka, the coffee chain is holding a 10-day event titled Osaka 20th Thanks Week at 105 branches across Osaka Prefecture.

 

The celebration will see community activities taking place at each branch along with the serving of the new Osaka Meccha Matcha Latte and Osaka Meccha Matcha Frappuccino, two beverages crafted by the Osakan baristas of Starbucks for the Osakan locals.

The first Starbucks branch to open in Western Japan was at HEP FIVE in Umeda, Osaka on November 28, 1998. The keyword for these beverages is omoroi, a word in Kansai dialect that means ‘interesting’ and ‘amusing,’ and one that is intended to warm the hearts of those who drink these new beverages. Matcha is used as the base flavour for both of these drinks. It should also tickle the fancy of those who know that Osaka was the birthplace of Sen no Rikyū, one of the most influential figures on the Japanese way of tea.

 

The three matcha beverages―the hot or iced latte and frappuccino―uses 1.5 times more matcha powder than Starbucks’ regular matcha drinks. This explains the meccha in the title of the beverages which in Japanese means ‘very’ or in this case ‘a lot.’

Osaka Meccha Matcha Frappuccino®: Short ¥550/Tall ¥590/Grande ¥630/Venti® ¥670 (Pre-Tax)

The base of the Osaka Meccha Matcha Frappuccino® is refreshing vanilla ice cream on top of which sits colourful matcha, creating a contrast of white and green. Squirted on top is a fluffy serving of whipped cream drizzled in caramel sauce, chocolate sauce and extra matcha powder. Not only is this beverage made to look like Osaka Castle’s main keep, it’s also made to reflect the vim and vigour of the Osakan spirit that always wants to try “this and that.”

 

Osaka Meccha Matcha Latte (Hot/Iced): Short ¥440/Tall ¥480/Grande ¥520/Venti® ¥560 (Pre-Tax)

The iced version of the Osaka Meccha Matcha Latte is based on the popular matcha tea latte while the hot version is the perfect accompaniment to warm you up during the cold season.

 

If you’re in Osaka later this month then be sure to enjoy these meccha matcha drinks conceived from the minds of the baristas of Osaka!

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  • Starbucks Japan’s Chilled Espresso & Matcha Tea Latte Gets Renewed

    24.August.2018 | FOOD

    Starbucks’ chilled cup line of beverages is renowned in the chilled cup coffee market. Two of their drinks, the Starbucks Espresso and Starbucks Matcha Latte, are being renewed.

     

    Starbucks Espresso
    The new espresso loses none of its rich flavour so its consumers can enjoy the taste of strong and full-bodied coffee for the coming autumn season. The cup also has a new coffee cherry stylish design inspired by the strength of the beverage.

     

    Starbucks Matcha Tea Latte
    This luxurious latte combines lots of milk with matcha from Uji, Kyoto. Tencha, another kind of matcha, is also added to strengthen the authentic tea’s richness and sweetness. The cup has a traditional Japanese design with tea leaves.

     

     

    Enjoy a coffee break with the new and improved Starbucks Espresso and Matcha Tea Latte.

     

    ■Information

    Starbucks Espresso & Starbucks Matcha Tea Latte

    Available: Most convenience stores and supermarkets across Japan

    Release Date: September 4, 2018

    Product Information (Japanese): http://www.starbucks.co.jp/rtd/

    *New product information will be released on September 4.

  • Starbucks Japan to Release Strawberry Cake Frappuccino for Christmastime

    27.October.2018 | FOOD

    This year’s holiday season at Starbucks Japan begins on November 1.

     

    2018’s theme is “STARBUCKS® THE Blend IS THE MAGIC.” It’s the season for loving one another, and it’s this heartwarming occasion that Starbucks is set to deliver to its customers.

    Christmas Strawberry Cake Frappuccino®: Tall ¥590 (Pre-Tax)

    Christmas Strawberry Cake Milk: Short ¥450 / Tall ¥490 / Grande ¥530 / Venti® ¥570 (Pre-Tax)

    The first of several Christmas-y beverages hitting the coffee chain this holiday are the Christmas Strawberry Cake Frappuccino® and Christmas Strawberry Cake Milk.

     

    To ensure you get that full strawberry texture, both delicious drinks are made with a sweet ‘n sour strawberry sauce that leaves in plenty of the strawberry pieces. The standout feature of both is their gentle flavour which has that feeling of comfort milk has. They are also made to look like sponge cake. An enjoyable texture is also made by adding well-baked biscuits.

     

    Available: November 1, 2018 – December 4, 2018

    Gingerbread Latte (Hot/Iced): Short ¥420 / Tall ¥460 / Grande ¥500 / Venti® ¥540 (Pre-Tax)

    Joyful Medley Tea Latte (Hot Only): Short ¥380 / Tall ¥420 / Grande ¥460 / Venti® ¥500 (Pre-Tax)

    Also on the list is the Gingerbread Latte―a classic during the holiday season at Starbucks―and the Joyful Medley Tea Latte. A range of Christmas merchandise is also up for grabs including the always-popular tumblers, ‘bearistas’ (stuffed bear baristas) and ornaments. Snow globes are arriving this year too. All of this will let you bask in that Christmas spirit nice and early.

    And of course it wouldn’t be Christmas at Starbucks without their Starbucks® Christmas Blend. It’s a flavour you can only enjoy during this season so pick up a bag for yourself.

     

    Available: November 1, 2018 – December 25, 2018

    Yule Log: ¥460 (Pre-Tax)

    Cranberry Bliss Bar: ¥270 (Pre-Tax)

     

    On the food menu come the mini-sized yule logs. It uses an original chocolate that goes perfect with coffee and raspberry jam for added accent. The Cranberry Bliss Bars also pair perfectly with the Christmas Blend.

     

    Available: November 1, 2018 – December 25, 2018

     

    There’s no better place to warm yourself up this holiday season than Starbucks!

  • Starbucks Releases Stylish Glass Mugs in Collaboration with Fragment Design

    07.August.2018 | FASHION

    Starbucks Coffee Japan has teamed up with design project Fragment Design led by designer and musician Hiroshi Fujiwara to release two glass mugs under the ‘Fire-King’ brand. The product will go on sale from August 21, 2018 at select Starbucks branches across Japan as well as the Japanese Starbucks online store.

    This is Starbucks’ first collaboration with glass tableware brand Fire-King. The company was established in the US in 1942. They create thick, long-lasting glass products. Their milky white coloured ‘milk glass’ range are noted for their gentle colour and round form and are described as very much being old-fashioned American items. They are collected by fans of traditional American fashion and culture, many of which are also in Japan.

    The mugs come in grey and navy, typical colours of Fragment Design, offering a retro and modern look.

    Both mugs also stack on top of each other meaning you can buy them as a pair.

     

    Be on the lookout for these mugs at Starbucks Japan later this month.

     

    ■Information

    Glass Mug Fragment x FIREKING Grey (207ml)

    Glass Mug Fragment x FIREKING Navy (207ml)

    Price: ¥5,000 Each (Pre-Tax)

    On Sale: From August 21, 2018

    Available: Starbucks branches across Japan (select stores not stocking), Starbucks online store

    *Will discontinue once all have sold.

    *One of each colour purchasable per customer.

    Website: http://www.starbucks.co.jp/

     

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    <Comment from Sebastian Masuda>

    “In Brooklyn, New York in 2018, I wandered off to go to the restroom at a club. The male and female signs on the restroom doors had been smashed together, and the sign only said ‘non-gender.’ Bewildered by the unexpected instructions, I opened the door with the usual color and found a completely different sight than I was expecting. Shocked to realize that there were stereotypes hiding unconsciously within me, I returned to the club floor to find the space is as fun as ever. Since then, I’ve wondered if there is a way to break the stereotypes I have. I can’t stop thinking about it. 

    Is breaking down the walls the only shortcut?
    The right answer is inside all of us.
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