Ministop, a popular convenience store chain in Japan, has announced the launch of its new dessert, the "Premium Soft - Rich Uji Matcha," which will hit the shelves starting March 21, 2025. This delightful addition to their menu comes under the expert oversight of a "Tea Master Tenth Dan," the highest rank in the Japanese tea industry, ensuring a top-notch product that showcases the rich flavors of carefully selected matcha.
This creamy dessert is crafted using matcha sourced from Uji, Kyoto, known for its distinguished tea heritage. The result is a soft-serve ice cream that not only gives patrons a taste of this high-quality matcha but also highlights its rich aroma and deep flavor profile. Customers can expect an indulgent experience as they savor each spoonful, blending the essence of traditional tea culture with modern dessert appeal.
The "Premium Soft - Rich Uji Matcha" is priced at 490 yen (tax included: 529.20 yen) and will be available at over 1,800 Ministop locations across Japan. What's more, the dessert packs a caloric punch of 310 kcal when served in a waffle cone and 203 kcal in a cup format, offering a sweet treat that satisfies taste buds while being mindful of dessert portions.
Alongside this, customers can enjoy the "Matcha Latte Soft" and "Matcha Latte Mix Soft" options, which will also be available starting from March 21, 2025. Priced at 350 yen each (tax included: 378 yen), these matcha-infused desserts feature a harmonious fusion of flavors with a light sweetness that complements the robust matcha.
Ministop is committed to exploring unique and flavorful products that celebrate Japanese tea. Each dessert features Uji matcha sourced directly from Kyoto Prefecture, a choice that highlights not only the flavor but also the cultural significance of the region. The "Tea Master Tenth Dan" designation that oversees this launch is a prestigious certification awarded to elite tea experts in Japan, emphasizing a commitment to quality.
For the upcoming matcha product line, the soft-serve creations integrate a uniquely formulated "Matcha Latte Soft," boasting a composition of 0.52% Uji matcha from Kyoto and 0.50% supplementary Uji matcha, ensuring that each serving is rich in taste and authenticity. To enhance the experience, the convenience store chain has also taken special care to include a customized spoon for each dessert, ensuring that accessibility is prioritized for all customers, including those with allergies.
As part of the launch, the Ministop app will offer an exclusive promotion, providing customers with a 30 yen discount coupon for the "Premium Soft - Rich Uji Matcha" from March 21 to April 3, 2025, encouraging more consumers to indulge in this latest offering. The app also supports a mobile ordering feature that provides an additional 20 yen discount during the same period, making it easier for customers to enjoy their treats while saving a little money.
Moreover, a variety of matching beverages such as matcha lattes and other tea-based drinks will accompany these desserts, creating a full sensory experience for patrons. The commitment of Ministop to quality ingredients and expert supervision is evident in their new offerings, as they fuse traditional Japanese elements with contemporary tastes.
In addition to the matcha line, Ministop is elevating customer experience with new product introductions across their stores. For instance, Nissin Cisco will launch "Coconut Sable Mini Matcha Tiramisu Flavor" on March 17, 2025, and Seven-Eleven will feature a "Mochiri Crepe Bean Paste & Uji Matcha Cream" on March 18, 2025. These new products demonstrate a growing trend in Japanese convenience stores toward innovative confections and dessert options.
Supporting the trend, other treats like the "Nameraka Uji Matcha Pudding" from Pasteel will also be available beginning on March 18, showcasing how convenience stores continue to expand their offerings to include traditional flavors.
With frequent and varied introductions of matcha-flavored treats, Ministop and its competitors are catering to a broad consumer base that appreciates high-quality, culturally rooted flavors. This strategy enhances the appeal of convenience stores in Japan as destinations not only for quick snacks but also for specialty desserts that foster a deeper appreciation for Japanese tea heritage.
As the debut of the "Premium Soft - Rich Uji Matcha" approaches, the excitement around this new offering demonstrates how Japanese convenience stores are redefining the dessert landscape, making it easy for consumers to enjoy premium flavors on-the-go.
