Baskin-Robbins and Godiva are two brands that usually sit far apart on the sweets spectrum, with the former serving up affordable ice creams and cakes, and the latter catering to customers with deeper wallets, where a single bite-sized chocolate can set you back at least 500 yen.
However, the vastly different customer bases is actually a good reason for the two to collaborate, and that’s what’s happening right now in Japan, with a new “forbidden collaboration” giving birth to a new ice cream that’s said to be so good it’s on track to be a sell-out hit.
According to Baskin-Robbins, which goes by the name “31” in Japan, the new collaboration has been in the works for a while, with repeated testing and improvements leading to the creation of a new Chocolat Hazelnut ice cream under the supervision of Godiva’s executive chef chocolatier Yannick Chevolleau.
Dubbed 31 Chocolaterie, the new series of tie-up menu items includes a cup, cone, tub, and an ice cream cake, all featuring the new Chocolat Hazelnut ice cream.
Our reporter P.K. Sanjun stopped by on release day to try the Premium Chocolat Sundae, which gets you two scoops of the new ice cream, along with whipped cream and a variety of Godiva chocolate treats — a crunchy chocolate cookie, bitter chocolate pieces with a high-cacao content, fried cacao nibs rich in cacao aromas, a chocolate piece decorated with the collaboration logo, and a premium chocolate sauce.
▼ A lot of Godiva goodies, all for 980 yen.
As he was most curious to try the new ice cream, P.K. dipped into this first, stopping briefly to admire the swirls in the rich combination of chocolate ice cream and hazelnut ice cream.
Upon tasting it, P.K. could immediately sense the high quality of the chocolate, which displayed a bitter cacao flavour you don’t usually get at Baskin-Robbins. The hazelnut ice cream was equally luxurious, adding sweetness to balance out the bitterness of the chocolate.
▼ The crunchy texture of the chocolates on top added an exquisite accent to the ice cream.
This pairing of chocolate and hazelnut is as impressive as the pairing of the companies behind it, and P.K. reckons it’s so good it’ll sell out in a short period of time, as there are only limited stocks available.
So if you’re a fan of chocolate or ice cream, or both put together, be sure to head on over to Baskin-Robbins before this collaboration sells out.
Photos © SoraNews24
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4 Comments
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Gene Hennigh
Oh, I could hold myself back from this. After about 10 servings. The look, the taste description, the very idea is astonishing. Godiva is great chocolate, and even Americans like Baskin-Robbins. I'm leaving the site now for a couple of pieces of Godiva. It depends on how much I eat as to whether I'm back in 10 minutes or an hour and a half. Japanese people are so lucky.
1glenn
As so often happens, after reading about the latest food or drink option available in Japan, I am left jealous and watering at the mouth.
Over the years I have been fortunate enough to discover a few delicious drinks or desserts available at Japanese, Thai, or Korean establishments here in South Cal that were not generally available anywhere else. To then read in Japantoday about things that I will never be able to taste seems like cruel and unusual punishment.
I am not generally in favor of overreaching government intervention in business practices, but perhaps it would be kinder for the government to forbid news stories about the latest delicacies from Japan unless there are plans in the works to make them available over here as well?
PepeZ
@1glenn
I can appreciate your perspective on this particular gourmet creation. The JT website is for publishing info about what is happening in Japan as well as major global news that may affect Japan.
While reading the article, I had rhe idea that I would be able to create a similar experience where I am by mixing in some Nutella hazelnut spread with a good chocolate ice cream. Then, shaving dark chocolate on top with whipped cream and, possibly, chocolate cookie crumbs.
For now, this homestyle creation may satisfy your curiosity for this Godiva and 31 mashup where you live.
Jim
The only positive thing about this is at least we can be sure it’s a new item in the freezer instead of one which is months ( if not years ) old! Japan doesn’t require expiry dates on ice-cream so most of the ice creams ( including Lady Borden, Hagaan Dazs, Meiji ) doesn’t have expiry dates on them and this makes it impossible to know how long it’s been sitting in the shops freezers!