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The mochi ice cream series brings back an old favorite, and introduces an enticing new flavor!

Every year, world-renowned ice cream masters Häagen-Dazs come out with a number of unique and enticing seasonal flavors to keep us coming back for more. This year will be the third time that Häagen-Dazs will be releasing ice cream flavors in their “hana-mochi” series, which feature soft, milky ice cream paired with chewy mochi, a traditional Japanese rice cake that’s often the basis of sticky sweets.

It’s been over a year since the last releasees, one of which combined mochi ice cream with kinako soybean powder and kuromitsu (brown sugar syrup), and another which was a mix of walnut and mitarashi sweet soy sauce glaze, both of which were amazingly delicious. This year, on February 28, kinako with brown sugar syrup will be back, along with a new flavor pairing: walnut and black sesame!

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The new flavor, called goma kurumi, stars an ice cream base mixed with mellow white sesame paste and chunks of flavorful walnuts. The distinct aroma of black sesame in sweet syrupy form completes the nutty flavor combination, and the whole thing is topped with a slice of sticky mochi. To some of you, black sesame may not seem like a flavor that belongs in a sweet dessert, but it’s commonly found in many Japanese confections and is surprisingly delicious. We definitely can’t wait to try this one when it comes out!

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Much to our joy and anticipation, kinako kuromitsu will be back again for another round! The subtle nutty flavor of kinako (a slightly-sweet soybean powder) pairs well with the rich sweetness of kuromitsu brown sugar syrup. You may remember it from our previous taste test, but if you missed tasting it for yourself this is your chance! Both flavors will be sold for 272 yen (US$2.40) per cup from the end of February.

Source, images: Häagen-Dazs
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