Sho Sakurai from boyband Arashi is also well known as the advertising figure associated with Morinaga’s scrumptious cocoa, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. On November 27, 2019, a video was uploaded of Sakurai hilariously attempting to make 3D latte art for a cup of Morinaga’s delicious hot chocolate.
As an avid panda-lover, Sakurai rose confidently to the challenge of creating a so-called “Sakurai Special Cocoa”, which is a cup of Morinaga’s hot chocolate decorated with a 3D panda made from milk foam.
He got off to a smooth start, making the hot chocolate successfully without breaking a sweat. He then proceeded to step two: whisking the milk, which he also finished gracefully. Full of confidence, he moved onto the final step, all the while boasting about seizing the chance to show off his skills. Unfortunately, things didn’t go quite to plan. His hands were shaking nervously and the puzzled Sakurai couldn’t stop the surprise from escaping his mouth as his Panda sunk slowly. Watching him was just as nerve-wracking.
Before the filming, he said to the staff: “I’m not good at latte art so the video is bound to be amusing. When the final image of his creation was revealed, it was certainly full of character to say the least.
Post Shoot Interview
Q. How did you feel after the filming?
A. This is the first time I’ve ever challenged myself to latte art so I was wondering how it was going to go. In the end it went really well.
Q. What was your best highlight?
A. I made a panda out of milk and cocoa powder. Now that’s an achievement in itself. I was also really surprised at how easy it was.
Q.Is this the first time you’ve ever challenged yourself to latte art?
A. Yes.
Q. What are your feelings towards your creation?
A. The finished art didn’t look exactly like the model I was copying but I’m happy that I managed to recreate my own version in my own style.
Q. Are there any hints or pointers that you learned today that you could share with us?
A. I whisked the milk until soft peaks formed but it just wouldn’t hold. It’s a race against time to get it done before it loses shape. 3D latte art is a craze on social media so naturally you’d want to take your time when taking a photo, however there is just not enough time for this because your creation is collapsing in on itself by the second. My advice is to take your photos as quickly as possible. I actually did this challenge twice on the day and the difference between my two attempts is significant. My skills have obviously improved a lot in between attempts.
Q. If you could rate your creation, what would you give it?
A. Full marks of course.
I got lots of compliments for how surprisingly well my art turned out. I received very good guidance on how to do it and I even made sure to carefully monitor the temperature of the milk: 60°C to 70° C seems to be the perfect temperature. Although my panda may not look like the panda that everyone watching had in mind but my version looks exactly how I intended it to look so I can’t give myself anything less than full marks.
Information
Morinaga Milk Cocoa
Currently available to purchase from supermarkets and shops across Japan.
RRP: ¥520 (Before Tax)
Morinaga Cocoa Official Website: https://www.morinaga.co.jp/cocoa/ (Japanese Only)
RECOMMENDED ENTRIES
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Sho Sakurai will appear in a new television promo ad on November 21 for Morinaga & Company’s “Morinaga Milk Cocoa” beverage which celebrates its 100th anniversary this year.
The commercial sees Sakurai challenging himself to pretty rigorous ways of relaxing, like yoga and bouldering, before he pours himself a nice cup of of Morinaga Milk Cocoa. A behind-the-scenes video is set to appear on the product’s official website on November 18 where Sakurai discusses the making of the commercial.
Post-Shoot Interview
Q: Please tell us your thoughts on how the commercial went.
A: I ended up doing some pretty intense moves in it, like yoga and bouldering, so I think it turned out to be a pretty funny commercial.
Q: Tell us which part in particular to look out for.
A: Things like the yoga moves I couldn’t do too well, or the hardcore bouldering exercises. The commercial makes free use of the latest technology, so I hope people catch on to that.
Q: In the commercial, you showcase bizarre ways to relax. Tell us of a way you like to relax that’s different to other people.
A: When I take a bath at home, I sink myself down into the water this far <laughs> [places his hand to the side of his face and gestures how far]. Everything from my ears to my hair are dunked in. It’s not something I want people to see <laughs>.
Q: How long have you been doing that for?
A: You want to know what started it, right? I think I’ve been doing it about 10 years now. I think the first time was probably when I had a bunch of product in my hair for work and I wanted to rinse my hair completely before showering. I think that’s when it started. Then after that it just unexpectedly became a thing. Can you say it’s like when you’re still in the waters [in the womb]? <laughs>. So I ended up just loving relaxing like that. But just so you know, I don’t do it in places like hot springs! Never in public places! Only at home! I do it alone in my own bath.
Information
Milk Cocoa Yarisugi (15 Sec. Commercial)
Initial Broadcast: November 21, 2019
Region: Japan*The commercial w ill also be available to watch on the Morinaga Milk Cocoa official website on November 18 at 10:00 (JST)
Morinaga Milk Cocoa
Available: Japan
Price: ¥520 (Before Tax)
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Since being founded in 1845, Lindt has carried its reputation as a Swiss brand of chocolate throughout the centuries, capturing the hearts of chocoholics in over 120 countries across the world. Lindt will be releasing a brand new chocolate drink on December 1, 2019 across Japan. The chocolate drink will be available in hot and cold and is made using an irresistible Gianduia chocolate hazelnut spread.
Both the hot and cold versions of the drink contain Lindt’s signature melt-in-the-mouth milk chocolate which is mixed with luxurious hazelnut praline paste. The praline paste is made from roasted hazelnuts fused into delicious caramel. Once the aroma of both roasted hazelnuts and caramel entices you to take a sip, the rich flavour will spread through your mouth and you won’t be able to stop.
The drinks are topped with a fluffy chocolate and whipped cream combination and chocolate flakes which add a wonderful texture. The finishing touches on the drink consist of a drizzle of hazelnut praline sauce and a sprinkle of chopped hazelnuts. The wavy water pattern that can be seen decorating the iced chocolate drink can be mixed into the drink and enjoyed. If you’re looking for a quick chocolatey refresh, the iced chocolate drink is perfect for you. For those of you who succumb to the winter chills, the hot chocolate drink will warm you up right away.
Once the fragrance of these drinks reaches your nose, no chocoholic will be able to resist.
Information
Lindt Iced Chocolate Drink Gianduia
Lindt Hot Chocolate Drink Gianduia
Price: ¥699 (After Tax)
Release: December 1, 2019 (to sell throughout the year)
Purchasable from all Lindt Chocolate Cafés in Japan.
Lindt Japan Official Website: https://www.lindt.jp/
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McDonald’s McCafé by Barista serves up delicious coffee around the clock. From November 27, a heart-warming, chocolatey lineup will be arriving in McDonald’s restaurants across the country which own a McCafé by Barista. The four new drinks to spice up your winter are: the Premium White Chocolate Frappé, Premium Chocolate Frappé, Premium Hot Chocolate and the Premium Iced Chocolate.
Whether it’s a frappé, hot drink or an iced drink, pick your favourite to match your mood.
The Premium White Chocolate Frappé consists of white chocolate sauce and milk mixed with smashed pieces of chocolate. The drink is topped with whipped cream and chocolate sauce made from high-quality couverture chocolate. Finally, two chocolate sticks garnish the drink.White chocolate shavings dust the drink, creating the wonderfully wintery image of snow. Take a sip of this high-quality, Instagram-worthy drink to enjoy the chocolate melt in your mouth. The pieces of chocolate floating in the drink will add a wonderful texture to your experience.
From the left: Premium Iced Chocolate, Premium White Chocolate Frappé, Premium Chocolate Frappé, Premium Hot Chocolate.
The Premium Chocolate Frappés, Premium Hot Chocolate and Premium Iced Chocolate drinks are just as luxurious as the Premium White Chocolate Frappé and enjoy the same beautiful toppings.
Get in the winter spirit with one of McCafé by Barista’s luxurious, winter-limited drinks.
*The above images are not real and are representations of what the drink will look like.
Information
Premium White Chocolate Frappé
Price: ¥490 (M), ¥530 (L)
Available: November 27 – mid December 2019 (Subject to change)
Premium Chocolate Frappé
Price: ¥490 (M), ¥530 (L)
Premium Hot Chocolate
Price: ¥450 (M)
Premium Iced Chocolate
Price: ¥450 (M)
Available: November 27 – mid January 2020 (Subject to change)
*All prices above are tax included.
*Available to purchase from McDonald’s restaurants across Japan which have a McCafé by Barista.
*Find out more information about McDonald’s restaurants on their official store locator: http://www.mcdonalds.co.jp/coffee/top.php
*The drinks can only be purchased during McCafé by Barista running times. The running times vary from restaurant to restaurant.
RELATED ENTRIES
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Sho Sakurai will appear in a new television promo ad on November 21 for Morinaga & Company’s “Morinaga Milk Cocoa” beverage which celebrates its 100th anniversary this year.
The commercial sees Sakurai challenging himself to pretty rigorous ways of relaxing, like yoga and bouldering, before he pours himself a nice cup of of Morinaga Milk Cocoa. A behind-the-scenes video is set to appear on the product’s official website on November 18 where Sakurai discusses the making of the commercial.
Post-Shoot Interview
Q: Please tell us your thoughts on how the commercial went.
A: I ended up doing some pretty intense moves in it, like yoga and bouldering, so I think it turned out to be a pretty funny commercial.
Q: Tell us which part in particular to look out for.
A: Things like the yoga moves I couldn’t do too well, or the hardcore bouldering exercises. The commercial makes free use of the latest technology, so I hope people catch on to that.
Q: In the commercial, you showcase bizarre ways to relax. Tell us of a way you like to relax that’s different to other people.
A: When I take a bath at home, I sink myself down into the water this far <laughs> [places his hand to the side of his face and gestures how far]. Everything from my ears to my hair are dunked in. It’s not something I want people to see <laughs>.
Q: How long have you been doing that for?
A: You want to know what started it, right? I think I’ve been doing it about 10 years now. I think the first time was probably when I had a bunch of product in my hair for work and I wanted to rinse my hair completely before showering. I think that’s when it started. Then after that it just unexpectedly became a thing. Can you say it’s like when you’re still in the waters [in the womb]? <laughs>. So I ended up just loving relaxing like that. But just so you know, I don’t do it in places like hot springs! Never in public places! Only at home! I do it alone in my own bath.
Information
Milk Cocoa Yarisugi (15 Sec. Commercial)
Initial Broadcast: November 21, 2019
Region: Japan*The commercial w ill also be available to watch on the Morinaga Milk Cocoa official website on November 18 at 10:00 (JST)
Morinaga Milk Cocoa
Available: Japan
Price: ¥520 (Before Tax)
