In Japan, you don’t have to visit a Starbucks branch to try one of their limited-edition beverages, as the chain has been teaming up with beverage giant Suntory to produce a series of “chilled cups” that are sold at Japanese supermarkets and convenience stores. The latest limited-edition flavor coming our way is a refreshing blend for summer called the Chilled Matcha Brulee Latte. Since their 2005 debut, the cups have been sold with domed lids to mimic the ones used on drinks served at the chain, but in March this year, the lids were discontinued, effectively reducing the amount of plastic in the range by roughly 15 percent.
That doesn’t mean the drinks are any less recognizable, though, as the green mermaid features prominently on the design, and this new release depicts “the deep flavor of matcha spreading against a gradated background based on refreshing green“. Mosaic-style elements represent the burnt sugar seen on the surface of creme brulee desserts, capturing the main characteristics of the popular sweet. ▼ Like drinking a matcha brulee.
The new flavor is said to be a luxurious blend of Uji matcha and milk, balanced out with a fragrant creme brulee accent that adds just the right amount of sweetness to the mix. While it’s said to taste great on its own, Erin Marinan, the product development manager at Starbucks Research and Development, has worked hard to ensure the drink pairs well with food too. Her top food pairing is cheesecake, as the matcha is a .
