By KAZUMI TAKO/ Staff Writer
July 5, 2021 at 07:20 JST
A new Starbucks "47 Jimoto Frappuccino" only available in Miyagi Prefecture infuses "zunda-an" sweetened mashed edamame paste and matcha green tea. (Provided by Starbucks Coffee Japan)
Move over, Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino.
For a limited time this summer, Starbucks Coffee Japan will debut 47 new Frappuccino drinks, one for each prefecture, made with local ingredients such as "Hyuganatsu" citrus and "Kakinotane" rice confectionery.
The Seattle-based coffee chain unveiled its lineup of photogenic frozen drinks, each sold in its corresponding prefecture, to celebrate the 25th anniversary of its first foray into Japan.
Starbucks baristas across the country came up with ideas for the ingredients, presentation and naming of each prefecture’s drink.
By using local products in Starbucks’ signature beverage, the company said it hopes to strengthen its ties with local communities.
The special lineup is called “47 Jimoto (hometown) Frappuccino” and will be available from June 30 to Aug. 3, in a tall size only, priced at 682 yen ($6) including tax, or 669 yen to go.
The Frappuccino for southern Miyazaki Prefecture uses mango sauce and Hyuganatsu citrus, while baristas in central Yamanashi Prefecture dreamed up a drink featuring grapes, which are a local specialty, and white chocolate cream.
Baristas in Tottori Prefecture went for photographic perfection, creating a creamy caramel drink that looks like the prefecture’s famous sand dunes.
In Tochigi Prefecture, baristas chose to have fun with a natural phenomenon. The prefecture is prone to lightning strikes, so they came up with the idea of replicating the sound and image of lightning by infusing popping candy into a chocolate Frappuccino.
For a more adventurous taste, baristas in Miyagi Prefecture decided to blend “zunda-an” (sweet edamame bean paste) and matcha green tea.
Niigata Prefecture’s special drink features a beloved snack, Kakinotane, in a chocolate-based Frappuccino.
In Aichi Prefecture, baristas were inspired by a locally popular dish: thick toast topped with azuki bean paste.
The first Starbucks store in the country was opened in Tokyo’s posh Ginza district in 1996.
By 2015, all 47 prefectures had at least one Starbucks. Currently, about 1,600 Starbucks are operating in Japan.
The company is expected to open 100 new stores every year, aiming for a total of 2,000 Starbucks in 2024.
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