Only in Winter! 5 Recommended Limited Edition Sweets and Drinks

Japan's four seasons inspire a great variety of seasonal foods and snacks. For instance, in the winter you will notice tasty treats hitting the supermarket shelves, which can only be enjoyed during the colder months. Just walk into any supermarket and you will be blown away by the sheer variety of snacks on offer that appear and disappear as the weather changes. Popular brands in Japan release new limited edition flavors each season. Some snacks become popular turning into instant classics, and will return to the shelves every year.

Enjoying the "taste of the season" thinking that it's available only for a limited period of time is one of the reasons why season limited special items are so loved by everyone. In this article we will introduce to you five winter limited edition items that are available during the cold season at the Japanese supermarkets.

Galbo Ball Chocolates

Made by the famous chocolate brand Meiji, Galbo Ball is a popular Japanese snack. The ball shaped chocolates contain finely ground biscuit pieces which create a crunchy texture.

The limited edition winter version has crunchy chocolate biscuits wrapped in a thick chocolate layer and sprinkled with cocoa powder. The slogan of the Galbo chocolate balls is “luxury for the mouth”, and true to this description, this snack is a pleasure to eat. About ten pieces in a package, they are tasty and filling. Moreover, the package with a winter motif is cute and fashionable, conveying the festive spirit of the season. You will surely find the Galbo Balls quite indulging.

Melty Kiss Premium Chocolate

One of the most popular winter snacks are the Melty Kiss chocolates by Meiji. This snack is described as “Gently melting in your mouth, like a snowflake”. The small cube size snack contains a smooth semi-solid center that is covered in a rich dark chocolate and dusted with unsweetened cocoa powder. The great taste of these sweets have many fans, and no wonder since they truly melt in one's mouth with the rich taste of creamy chocolate.

The winter limited Melty Kiss come in three kinds of beautiful winter themed boxes. They can only be found from November through February. If you're in Japan and looking for a unique souvenir, we warmly recommend the Melty Kiss winter limited editions!

Kit Kat Winter Strawberry

Kit Kat is another brand that always has in store something new each season. This year's winter limited edition is a full bar called “Winter Strawberry”, with a sweet and powerful flavor and a fresh aroma. This Kit Kat is made with quality strawberries of a variety praised for its fine balance of sweetness and tartness. It looks and smells amazing, with the aroma of the strawberries more prominent than you would expect. Taste it and I bet you won’t stop after having just one.

Sapporo Fuyu Monogatari Beer

Fuyu Monogatari is a winter limited edition of the popular beer label Sapporo. This winter only beer has a lovely golden color and an alluring malt aroma. Velvety on the tongue, Fuyu Monogatari stays true to its lineage, and is a wonderfully rich winter brew full of flavor.

Appearance: Clear gold brew with a fizzy white head.

Aroma: Decent malt and even a little hop presence. Crisp.

Taste: Solid malt flavor accompanied by a herbal hop flavor. Very refreshing!

Mt. Rainier Cocoa Cappuccino

Mt. Rainier Coffee and their popular lattes are available all throughout the year in supermarkets. However, the winter limited edition “Cocoa Cappuccino” is most popular during the cold season. The Cocoa Cappuccino is sweet and has the fine texture of chocolate. If you love your hot chocolate more than your coffee, but still enjoy the kick of coffee, this edition is for you. Available from December to February, this cup tends to disappear from the shelves sooner than anything else, so make sure you get one!

In Conclusion

Japanese winters are often described as harsh, but they are in fact pretty exciting and far from dull, with many things and activities that can be enjoyed only during this season. Get a taste of this season by enjoying the winter limited edition of sweets and drinks. Their elaborate, winter-only tastes will make you appreciate the features of the season even more!