Photo: PR Times
new products

Classic azuki ice cream bar gets a new twist with amazake

3 Comments
By Ben K, grape Japan

Ice cream bars made from azuki red beans are one of Japan's classic iced treats. While many other iced selections come and go, the Azuki Bar made by Imuraya Co Ltd, is usually a permanent fixture in the freezer box or ice cream section of any convenience store, grocery store, or supermarket in Japan. Cheap and delicious, the company sells 250 million of them every year (2019 numbers)

But Imuraya hasn't been resting on their laurels. In addition to the original Azuki Bar, they've also introduced other versions, ones coated with green tea, milk, coffee and yuzu, for example. They even have an organic version of their Azuki Bar.

Now, they're turning to another sweet traditional Japanese ingredient, and one which has been gaining renewed attention lately: amazake.

Chock full of enzymes and amino acids, B-vitamins and fiber, amazake, particularly amazake made with koji and rice has so many health and nutritional benefits that it is often called a "drinkable IV." Imuraya found that the taste of amazake goes very well with azuki, so they were inspired to create a new ice cream bar featuring it.

The amazake coating of the Amazake Azuki bar is a blend of amazake ice cream with 25% double-concentrated Marukome koji amazake to create an unmistakable amazake flavor profile without any alcohol. Moreover, Imuraya slightly adjusted the flavor and hardness of the azuki ice cream center to make the perfect match for the amazake coating.

Price: 70 yen + tax

Availability: Stores nationwide

For more information about Imuraya Coand their products, visit their official website here.

Read more stories from grape Japan.

-- Japanese artist makes realistic flower ornaments from cloth with traditional craft technique

-- Haagen Dazs selects Japanese fall favourite honey sweet potato for their autumn ice cream release

-- Harajuku’s Kawaii Monster Cafe celebrate anniversary with cutely grotesque supersize food challenges

© grape Japan

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

3 Comments
Login to comment

At last a product that won’t break the bank...

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Azuki is not as popular over here in the States as it is in Japan, but I am a big fan. Whether in breads, ice cream, or as part of an espresso-azuki drink, I am on board. I first had an espresso drink with azuki, cinnamon, and chocolate a few years ago at a Korean coffee-bar cum bakery, and fell in love.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

With milk as an ingredient. That's a shame. The classic azuki bar is non-dairy, and very nice.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Login to leave a comment

Facebook users

Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday. By doing so, you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts.

Facebook Connect

Login with your JapanToday account

User registration

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites