Starbucks Honors 25 Years In Japan With 47 Frappuccinos, One For Each Prefecture
Image via Starbucks Japan / PR Times
2021 marks the 25th year since US coffee chain Starbucks opened its first store abroad, in Tokyo’s Ginza district. To celebrate the milestone, Starbucks Japan has unveiled a staggering 47 new frappuccinos, one for each of the country’s 47 prefectures.
According to SoraNews24, Starbucks drew on its local expertise throughout the country to design these flavors, each of which are unique to the prefecture’s local tastes.
Starbucks Japan said the new release is “packed with 47 stories” as the company expresses its gratitude to citizens across Japan for the last 25 years.
Each frappuccino was designed using ideas developed by Starbucks employees in each prefecture.
Here are some with unique backstories, per SoraNews24.
Tokyo
Image via Starbucks Japan
Beginning with Japan’s capital, where the country’s first Starbucks store was located, this frappuccino incorporates the brand’s premium Tokyo Roast blend with pieces of coffee jelly for an added bite. Topped with whipped cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce, the bittersweet flavors complement each other perfectly.
Kanagawa
Image via Starbucks Japan
To the south of Tokyo is Kanagawa prefecture, a seaside paradise known for its blue sky and sea. Using butterfly pea tea syrup, the frappuccino takes on the prefecture’s blue hue, with citrus pulp added on top for a sunny, fruity flavor to its creamy base.
Hokkaido
Image via Starbucks Japan
Japan’s northernmost prefecture, Hokkaido, is home to some of the country’s most well-known ingredients: milk, sugarcane, and corn. The Hokkaido-inspired frappuccino incorporates corn in the form of corn flakes, added to a sweet, creamy base. The drink’s bright yellow and white colors are also said to portray the island’s snow and bright sunshine.
Yamanashi
Image via Starbucks Japan
The frappuccino representing Yamanashi Prefecture comes in the most vibrant pink hue, inspired by the area’s prized Japanese grape. The drink features grape syrup throughout, paired with delectable white chocolate for an oh-so-sweet sip.
Aichi
Image via Starbucks Japan
For Aichi Prefecture, the frappuccino drew inspiration from its famous local delicacy, the Ogura toast – a thick toast paired with butter and a sweet Azuki red bean paste. Mixing Azuki sauce with coffee, chocolate chips, and whipped cream, the drink recreates the famous Nagoya toast in a drink.
Kyoto
Image via Starbucks Japan
Undoubtedly Japan’s most famous food destination, Kyoto’s frappuccino highlights the area’s obanzai, a traditional style of Japanese cuisine that uses half or more of its ingredients produced in the prefecture. The drink follows the traditional style too, combining locally sourced matcha with roasted soybean flour for an elevated mix.
Osaka
Image via Starbucks Japan
Neighboring Kyoto is Osaka Prefecture, where Starbucks designed a drink in ode of the region’s “mixed juice,” a milk-based drink with fruits such as banana and orange. Its frappuccino takes a spin on the concoction, mixing bananas, apples, peaches, and oranges with mango and passion fruit for the ultimate combo.
Hiroshima
Image via Starbucks Japan
Acknowledging the hardship the prefecture’s faced in the past, Hiroshima’s frappuccino features a bright red passionfruit tea color, representing the love of the region and its people. Topped with whipped cream and honey, the drink is finished with a touch of lemon, as Hiroshima is home to the largest lemon output in Japan.
Okinawa
Image via Starbucks Japan
Japan’s southernmost prefecture is Okinawa, where its frappuccino is inspired by chinsuko, a traditional confectionery that’s been around since the Ryukyu dynasty (1429 - 1879). Similar to a shortbread-like biscuit that’s slightly salty, Starbucks actually features chinsuko in the drink, crushing the biscuit to form small pieces mixed with the vanilla-flavored drink.
[via SoraNews24, images from various sources]
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