Starbucks rolled out its limited-time Sakura Matcha with Sakura Jelly drink at convenience stores in Japan early this month. (Juan King/Stars and Stripes)
It’s time again in Japan for Starbucks to roll out popular seasonal drinks to celebrate the cherry blossoms that herald spring.
This year’s blooms are expected March 24 in Tokyo and earlier in the southern portions of the country, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency.
Starbucks launched its limited-time Sakura Matcha with Sakura Jelly at convenience stores early this month, according to a company news release.
The drink is sold in an approximately 6-ounce cup for 248 yen, or about $1.70, tax included.
Starbucks rolled out its limited-time Sakura Matcha with Sakura Jelly drink at convenience stores in Japan early this month. (Juan King/Stars and Stripes)
This chilled, sweet-tasting beverage with the essence of the Japanese spring flower, sakura, is also infused with green tea and a surprise of sakura jelly bits on the bottom.
The small cup comes in vibrant colors and a straw to poke through the foil seal on top.
On the first sip, the blast of sweetness could be a little overwhelming but to my sweet tooth it was manageable.
Instead of the pink color associated with cherry blossoms, the drink takes on the hue of green tea with milk. It also includes 7% peach juice to enhance the flavor.
Starbucks rolled out its limited-time Sakura Matcha with Sakura Jelly drink at convenience stores in Japan early this month. (Juan King/Stars and Stripes)
Although I’m not huge a fan of the jelly that sometimes comes in drinks in Japan, the jelly bits in this drink went down easily. Beyond that, I did not relish the floral essence combined with matcha and would rather have my green tea by itself.
My conclusion is while this latest Starbucks offering is not something I would normally pick up, it is part of so many takes on the sakura theme found at convenience stores throughout Japan that it was worth a try.
Spring is on the way, and if you can handle this drink’s sugary sweetness, you may want to give it a go.
