
Beloved flavors from different parts of the globe combine in dessert drink that promises to taste out of this world.
While Japan has been happily sipping green tea for centuries, it’s only within the last decade or so that matcha has really taken off as a dessert flavor. The movement’s modernity has made culinary creators willing to experiment with blending matcha with ingredients not indigenous to Japan, which is to all our benefit because matcha goes great with chocolate.
The latest embodiment of this international marriage of flavors is coming on June 14, when Starbucks Japan releases the Chocolate Cake Top Frappuccino with Matcha Shot. There’s actually a third taste involved too, since the blended ice beverage uses an almond cream for its base, but the real attention-grabbers are the toppings.
Sitting atop the almond cream is an entire chocolate mini cake with matcha sauce drizzled over it. Covering that is a swirl of whipped cream, and for the finishing touch, the barista sprinkles matcha powder over the whole thing.
Meanwhile, if you’re of the opinion that the “coffee” part of the Starbucks Coffee name shouldn’t be forgotten, there’s also the Chocolate Cake Top Frappuccino with Coffee Shot, which is pretty much the same thing with coffee flavors subbing for the matcha elements.
▼ The new Frappuccinos will be available until July 13
Both drinks are identically priced at 620 yen (US$5.60) and available only in the tall size. As for how to enjoy that cake topping, Starbucks recommends breaking it up with your straw and drinking it, the same tactic it suggested for its American Cherry Pie Frappuccino. Whether drinkable cake is the gastronomic development that ruins human society or enables it to reach the glorious next step in its evolution is something we’ll have to wait until June 14, when the Chocolate Cake Top Frappuccino with Matcha Shot goes on sale, or June 23, when the coffee version debuts, to find out.
Source: Starbucks Japan via Entabe
Images: Starbucks Japan
Follow Casey on Twitter, where anything that contains the description “matcha chocolate” has his complete attention.


Starbucks promises “new world of matcha” with green tea cheese Frappuccino, citrus green tea
Starbucks Japan releases matcha scones and doughnuts with their new matcha Frappuccino
Starbucks Japan’s new melon Frappuccino is part of a Japanese pun-themed dessert menu
Starbucks’ brand-new Meccha Matcha Frappuccino: 20 years in the making, 50 percent more green tea
Chocolate Brownie Matcha Frappuccinos make their glorious return to Starbucks Japan
Japan now has human refrigerators inspired by Japanese vending machines
Hatsune Miku collaborates with Hokusai’s art in new Vocaloid ukiyo-e illustration series [Pics]
Studio Ghibli releases anime T-shirts that pay homage to one of Hayao Miyazaki’s most personal films
Starbucks Japan releases exclusive new Bearista collection…with beary cute details
Family Mart’s new Tokyo flagship convenience store doesn’t feel convenient, but is that a problem?
Starbucks Japan releases new Discovery Series collection celebrating local regions and traditions
Tokyo’s viral 90-yen cafe pop-up returns to Harajuku with yogurt coffee
Defacing the Japanese flag is now a crime, says government, punishable by up to two years in jail
Japan’s ultracompact kei car taxis are now ready for travelers to ride, if you know where to find them
Teen girl in Japan refuses to be victim, personally escorts train pervert to police for arrest
Cup Noodle unveils first-ever cold-water instant ramen in Japan
Japanese government ID card and app to be required for certain Pokémon card purchases next month
Is Japan’s tourism boom slowing down? Foreign visitor numbers fall for first time in five years
Evangelion beautifully reimagined as iconic classical Japanese folding screen art series [Photos]
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Japan triples departure tax, foreign tourists and locals now must pay more to leave country
Japan launches first overnight Shinkansen bullet train between Tokyo and Osaka this summer
Family Mart opens new “Famima” flagship store in Tokyo that’s like a tourist attraction
Sanrio Character Poll announces winners, Hello Kitty absent from top 10 in many countries
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Merry matcha! Starbucks Japan adds two subtly changed, deliciously different green tea beverages
Starbucks matcha marches into the Via lineup with new, Japan-exclusive green tea drink mix
New Starbucks “stems-only” roasted green tea Frappuccino is everything we need in a dessert drink
Starbucks Japan releases a surprise Chocolate Tea Cake Frappuccino【Taste Test】
Starbucks Japan tells us what we’re getting for Christmas: matcha green tea brownie Frappuccinos!
Seaweed in your green tea Frappuccino? Starbucks Japan has a bold idea for its New Year’s drink
Starbucks Japan made an exclusive five-green tea blend for its new Hojicha Frappuccino
Starbucks Japan’s new Valentine’s Day Frappuccino is like a drinkable opera cake
Starbucks Japan’s Matcha & Crushed Almond Milk Tea Latte tastes better as a float
The real star of Starbucks’ new Matcha S’more Frappuccino is its huge matcha powder boost
Starbucks unveils new Gohobi Frappuccino in Japan
Starbucks Japan gives Kyoto and Hyogo their very own Frappuccinos for a very limited time
Starbucks Japan’s new cake Frappuccino brings sunshine to our taste buds
Starbucks Japan finally makes the iced Matcha Tea Latte a permanent part of its menu
Is Starbucks Japan’s new Valentine’s Day Frappuccino worth the calories?
Starbucks celebrates Christmas in Japan with a festive matcha Frappuccino
Is Starbucks Japan’s new Gohobi Melon Frappuccino really the ultimate melon Frappuccino?