orange – SoraNews24 —Japan News— https://soranews24.com Bringing you yesterday's news from Japan and Asia, today. Thu, 23 Jul 2026 05:00:30 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.1.4 https://soranews24.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/05/en_rocket_1024.png?w=32 orange – SoraNews24 —Japan News— https://soranews24.com 32 32 176746664 Starbucks Japan adds a new summer Frappuccino to the menu, but is it as refreshing as it looks? https://soranews24.com/2026/07/23/starbucks-japan-adds-a-new-summer-frappuccino-to-the-menu-but-is-it-as-refreshing-as-it-looks/ https://soranews24.com/2026/07/23/starbucks-japan-adds-a-new-summer-frappuccino-to-the-menu-but-is-it-as-refreshing-as-it-looks/#comments Thu, 23 Jul 2026 05:00:26 +0000 https://soranews24.com/?p=740008 
Limited-edition “gyugyutto” beverage features a fruit combo rarely seen at Starbucks.
After a succesion of brutally hot days in Japan, this summer is already testing our limits, even though the season has barely begun. Thankfully, there’s now some much-needed respite to be had, in the form of a new Starbucks Frappuccino to help keep us cool and calm as we enter the hottest days of the year.
Called the “Gyugyutto Orange & Mango Frappuccino” (“gyugyutto” means to be “packed full”), this icy beverage is the crowning glory of a new three-piece range that includes the “Chillax Soda Orange & Mango” (from 590 yen) and the “Craft Juicy Orange & Mango Tea” (630 yen).
While orange and mango have long been a popular flavour combination, it’s rare for them to partner up in a Starbucks Frappuccino, so our reporter K. Masami was especially excited to try the new drink when it was released on 22 July.
▼ It certainly looked beautiful when she received it, with its bright orange hues immediately lifting her spirit.
Lying in wait for her in the base was a mixture of mango juice, orange pieces – four different varieties with different levels of sweetness, acidity and aroma – and blood orange jelly.
▼ Up top, the drink was finished with honey blood orange sauce and whipped cream.
With no milk component in the main body of the drink, the Frappuccino looked like it would be extra icy and refreshing, so Masami braced herself for brain freeze and took a big slurp of the drink.
Thankfully there was no sudden brain freeze, so Masami was able to enjoy the delicious flavour of orange, which the drink was definitely “packed full” of. It was sweet and fruity, but with a refreshing acidity that Masami absolutely loved – so much so that she was quick to declare it her favourite new Frappuccino out of all the ones released this year.
At first, the orange flavour came through strong, but then the mango gradually appeared, adding extra sweetness. The juicy, smooth texture of the jelly provided a beautiful mouthfeel, helping to highlight the pulpiness of the oranges, making Masami feel as if she was drinking a whole piece of fruit.
The orange flavour was even more refreshing than she’d expected, and it went down incredibly easily, making it the perfect drink for a hot summer’s day. Mixing the whipped cream into the drink also worked well to transform it, giving it a slightly richer and smoother flavour.
The new Frappuccino proves yet again that Starbucks knows what it’s doing when it comes to summer refreshment. After already giving us peaches, pineapple, and muscat this season, the new Orange & Mango Frappuccino is perfectly timed for the hottest days of summer, and Masami says she’ll be returning for more before it disappears from the menu like a summer sunset.
Images ©SoraNews24
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]]> https://soranews24.com/2026/07/23/starbucks-japan-adds-a-new-summer-frappuccino-to-the-menu-but-is-it-as-refreshing-as-it-looks/feed/ 0 740008 Starbucks Japan Frappuccino Gyugyutto Orange & Mango limited edition exclusive drinks menu craft tea chillax soda summer fruit news Starbucks Japan adds new Frappuccino, Tea, and Chillax Soda to its limited-edition summer menu https://soranews24.com/2026/07/16/starbucks-japan-adds-new-frappuccino-tea-and-chillax-soda-to-its-limited-edition-summer-menu/ https://soranews24.com/2026/07/16/starbucks-japan-adds-new-frappuccino-tea-and-chillax-soda-to-its-limited-edition-summer-menu/#comments Thu, 16 Jul 2026 03:00:04 +0000 https://soranews24.com/?p=739068 
Exclusive drinks showcase two fruits, done three ways.
It was just the other day when Starbucks Japan unveiled the final peach drink in its early summer lineup, but now the chain is already moving on, with the announcement that a trio of new drinks will soon be on its way.
This time, two fruits will be sharing the spotlight, appearing as the main ingredients in three very different beverages.
▼ The star of the show is the “Gyugyutto Orange & Mango Frappuccino” (Tall size only; 707 yen [US$4.75] for takeout or 720 yen for dine-in).
In Japanese, “gyugyutto” means to be packed full of something, and in the case of this drink, that something is the pulpiness of oranges and the richness of mangoes. This blend is crafted from rich mango juice and four varieties of orange, chosen for their different levels of sweetness, acidity and aroma. Layered with chunky orange pieces, blood orange jelly and mango juice, the beverage is topped with whipped cream and a honey blood orange sauce for a smooth finish. According to Starbucks, customers can dial up the flavours by customising the drink with white mocha syrup for extra richness or citrus pulp for a brighter taste.
▼ The “Chillax Soda Orange & Mango” (Tall through to Venti, from 579 yen for takeout)
Those who prefer sparkling summer drinks will want to try the new Chillax Soda, which combines orange pieces, mango juice and blood orange jelly with carbonated soda. The Chillax range contains a signature green citrus-flavoured syrup, which works well with the new flavour to add a sparkly, citrus zing to the mix. Adding extra citrus pulp as a customisation is said to create an even more refreshing flavour profile.
▼ The “Craft Juicy Orange & Mango Tea” (Tall through to Venti, from 618 yen for takeout)
Rounding out the collection is a fruity tea, which blends juicy orange pieces, blood orange jelly and mango with black tea. The tea’s gentle bitterness balances the fruit’s natural sweetness, creating a more refined taste, and you can make the switch from black tea to passionfruit tea as a customisation for brighter colour and even fruitier flavour.
Whether you prefer to enjoy orange and mango in a rich Frappuccino, a refreshing soda or a refined iced tea, these drinks are bound to quench your thirst as we enter the harshest, hottest days of summer. Available from 22 July, all three drinks will be on the menu at Starbucks stores across Japan for a limited time.
Source, photos: Press release
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]]> https://soranews24.com/2026/07/16/starbucks-japan-adds-new-frappuccino-tea-and-chillax-soda-to-its-limited-edition-summer-menu/feed/ 0 739068 Starbucks Japan Frappuccino new limited edition exclusive drinks menu chillax soda craft juicy orange mango tea summer fruit news 1 Starbucks Japan sells Valencia Flavoured Syrup, and here are four ways to use it this summer https://soranews24.com/2026/06/22/starbucks-japan-sells-valencia-flavoured-syrup-and-here-are-four-ways-to-use-it-this-summer/ https://soranews24.com/2026/06/22/starbucks-japan-sells-valencia-flavoured-syrup-and-here-are-four-ways-to-use-it-this-summer/#comments Mon, 22 Jun 2026 13:00:06 +0000 https://soranews24.com/?p=736108 
These syrups aren’t only designed for coffee.
As much as we love Starbucks drinks, there are times when we just can’t be bothered to leave the house to buy one. This happens more often in summer, when stepping outside is like opening the door to a humid, relentless, steamed-up sauna, so we’re glad to know there’s a way to get a quick fix of Starbucks from the comfort of our air-conditioned homes.
This quick fix comes in the form of flavoured syrups, which are sold in stores and at the chain’s online shop. Though you might’ve seen them before, people tend to mistakenly assume they can only be used with coffees, but in actual fact there are other ways to use them, and we’ve got four tips that will show you just how versatile they are.
▼ The syrups currently come in four flavours – hazelnut, caramel, vanilla, and valenica – priced at 842 yen (US$5.22) per 375-millilitres (12.6-ounce) bottle.
Our top picks are Hazelnut and Valencia, the latter of which is particularly good in summer, due to its refreshing orange flavour. No matter which flavour you choose, the first, and most obvious way to use it is to add a splash to your coffee. Roughly one-to-two teaspoons is recommended, and though you can use it with iced or hot drinks, it works especially well with milk-based drinks like lattes. Although you might think a flavour like Valencia orange might clash with coffee, they actually go really well together, enhancing each other in deliciously exciting ways.
When served hot, the orange aroma rises gently with the steam, and when iced, the refreshing citrus notes stand out even more clearly. Add a bit of sweetness to taste, and your everyday latte is instantly transformed into something way more special.
The flavoured syrups aren’t just for coffees, as they also work well with hot or iced teas. Add it to milk tea – again, milky drinks work best – and you get a gentle, subtle finish that’ll instantly elevate your milk tea into a splendid brew. Another way to enjoy the syrup is in sparkling water, and it’s one of our favourite ways to have it in summer, as the lightly sweet orange flavour turns it into a refreshing flavoured soda that’s absolutely bursting with citrus fizz.
The final way we recommend using the syrup is by adding it to plain yoghurt.The result is simply amazing, with the fresh sweetness working to round out the tartness of the yoghurt, making it even more delicious.
Once you start using the syrups, you’ll be amazed at how versatile they are…and you’ll find yourself looking to experiment by adding them to all sorts of things. The only problem is, we could do with a larger bottle because ours tends to run out very quickly, and the orange Starbucks gummies just won’t do when we need our Valencia fix.
Images©SoraNews24
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]]> https://soranews24.com/2026/06/22/starbucks-japan-sells-valencia-flavoured-syrup-and-here-are-four-ways-to-use-it-this-summer/feed/ 0 736108 Starbucks Japan flavoured syrup latte drinks menu milk tea Valencia taste hazelnut orange Caramel Vanilla news First episode trailer for Trigun reboot released, series starts January 17 https://soranews24.com/2022/12/29/first-episode-trailer-for-trigun-reboot-released-series-starts-january-17/ https://soranews24.com/2022/12/29/first-episode-trailer-for-trigun-reboot-released-series-starts-january-17/#comments Thu, 29 Dec 2022 13:00:07 +0000 https://soranews24.com/?p=611915 
Thankfully, they didn’t try to make it live-action.
The year was 1998: A small startup by the name of Google was founded and Weird Al Yankovic shocked the world by shaving his mustache. It was also the year that the anime version of the Yasuhiro Nightow manga Trigun first aired on TV in Japan.
▼ The opening to the original Trigun anime
Although it was largely overshadowed by the more commercially successful Cowboy Bebop, which had similar sci-fi Western themes and came out at the same time, Trigun received widespread critical acclaim and can be found on more than a few “greatest anime of all time” lists.
And on 17 January 2023, a reboot of the series titled Trigun Stampede will have its first episode aired on TV Tokyo. This new series is being made by Orange, known for its unique use of CG, and will have considerably different visuals, as seen in the first trailer for the first episode which came out on 27 December.
▼ Episode #1 trailer
▼ The trailers for the entire series that came out earlier this year are more elaborate
The character designs have clearly gotten updates from ’90s anime aesthetics, with Vash’s spiky hair noticeably relaxed and his prosthetic arm prominently revealed right off the bat. The plot too seems to be a mix of old and new elements, according to the synopsis of the first episode.
#01 Noman’s Land
A scorching planet, Noman’s Land…
Humans live on a barren, sandstorm-blown landscape, relying only on bio-powered furnaces called “Plants” to produce water, food, and other resources.
In this harsh world, there is a troublemaker with a 60 billion double-dollar bounty on his head whom people call the “Humanoid Typhoon” because anyone he gets involved with is always hit with disaster. His name is Vash The Stampede.
Bernardelli News Agency’s veteran reporter Robert DeNiro and rookie reporter Meryl Stryfe are assigned to uncover the truth about a series of Plant robberies and encounter a man calling himself Vash, but…?!
Granted, changing Bernardelli from an insurance agency to a news agency does make more sense, and changing the character of Milly Thompson to someone named “Robert DeNiro” is certainly…interesting. Otherwise, it’s hard to tell whether the general plot will mirror the original or go off in a totally different direction, but the glimpses that can be seen in the trailer seem to suggest the latter.
▼ The plot seems to focus a lot more on the Plants than before
All the voice actors appear to be different as well, with Yoshitsugu Matsuoka taking over from Masaya Onosaka as Vash and Sakura Ando taking over the role of Meryl from Hiromi Tsuru who passed away in 2017. The show also announced the addition of seasoned voice actor Tomokazu Sugita (Gintoki Sakata in Gintama) to the cast playing the part of Chuck Lee, the head of a paramilitary group who wants to face off with Vash.
▼ A look at Chuck Lee
【新キャラ&キャスト情報】
チャック・リー(ジュライ憲兵隊上官)
CV:#杉田智和各地で人を殺し、プラントを強奪して回る凶悪犯・ヒューマノイドタイフーンの情報を聞きつけ、辺境の西部の町ジェネオラ・ロック付近まで捜索に来ていた。ロベルトの挑発に乗って、ヴァッシュと決闘することに...#TRIGUN pic.twitter.com/u6CL7qf98o
— 『TRIGUN STAMPEDE』アニメ公式／トライガン・スタンピード (@trigun_anime) December 27, 2022
Despite the alterations, fans of the series online seem to have no shortage of anticipation for the debut in a couple of weeks.
“The voices and hairstyles are different…but I’m happy just to have something new from it.”
”I NEED IT NOW GRAHHHHHHHHGHGHHHHHHHH”
“Finally!!!”
”They changed the insurance agency to a news agency, lol.”
“Will love and peace save the world?”
“Trigun!!! It’s Triguuuuuuuuuun!”
“They mentioned July. Is that ‘Lost July?’”
“It’s certainly different.”
Even the soundtrack of the Trigun Stampede is a departure from the original, replacing Tsueno Imahori’s guitar-driven soundtrack with rapper-singer-songwriter Kvi Baba handling the opening theme and Salyu singing over the end credits.
In the end it would probably be good to make Trigun Stampede an orange to Trigun’s apple. There’s no point in emulating the original since we can always just watch that, and as long as the core concepts that made it great are intact it could turn out to be really good and interesting in its own right. We’ll just have to wait and see when it arrives on 17 January.
Source: Trigun Stampede, Twitter/@trigun_anime, Otaku.com
Top image: YouTube/TOHO animation チャンネル
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]]> https://soranews24.com/2022/12/29/first-episode-trailer-for-trigun-reboot-released-series-starts-january-17/feed/ 0 611915 We try fresh orange juice squeezed for us by a vending machine in Saitama【Taste test】 https://soranews24.com/2021/09/17/we-try-fresh-orange-juice-squeezed-for-us-by-a-vending-machine-in-saitama%e3%80%90taste-test%e3%80%91/ https://soranews24.com/2021/09/17/we-try-fresh-orange-juice-squeezed-for-us-by-a-vending-machine-in-saitama%e3%80%90taste-test%e3%80%91/#comments Fri, 17 Sep 2021 04:00:22 +0000 https://soranews24.com/?p=556456 
Does fresh OJ taste even sweeter when it’s squeezed by a machine?
Vending machines are ubiquitous here in Japan and especially in the hot summer months, finding a machine stocked with cool, refreshing beverages while you’re out walking in the sweltering heat is similar to finding an oasis in a desert. Of course, Japan being Japan, you’ll sometimes stumble across vending machines selling some rather odd wares, and we’ve tried out some of the weirdest and wackiest vending machine drinks on offer.
Our Japanese language reporter Tasuku Egawa is no stranger to weird and wacky beverages, but he recently came across a different kind of vending machine making waves on Japanese social media — a vending machine selling nothing but orange juice. Not only that, but the orange juice is freshly squeezed on the spot.
The vending machine comes from a company called ‘Feed Me Orange’, who installed their first vending machines in Japan earlier this month, and Tasuku was keen to try it out. Being the first of its kind nationwide and being as popular as it was on social media, Tasuku expected the machines to be located in the middle of Tokyo, but was pleasantly surprised to discover that one was actually set up in a shopping mall in Saitama, just outside of Tokyo, and near Tasuku’s house.
“Why here?” he couldn’t help but think, but Tasuku is not one to look a gift horse in the mouth, and so he set off to grab a cup of fresh OJ.
▼ A lot of oranges can be seen from the outside of the machine.
As Tasuku arrived at the location, he noticed a few other people who had clearly also seen the vending machine on social media and were keen to try it out, but other than that the mall was pretty much empty, giving him free reign to live out his Vitamin C fantasy.
One cup of fresh orange juice costs 500 yen (US$4.50). A lot of people online complained that this was a little pricey, but considering the price of an orange at the supermarket, Tasuku thought he was getting a pretty good deal, so he popped in a 500-yen coin and waited with bated breath.
▼ It’s cash only, so be sure to bring along some change.
The vending machine promises ‘three or four oranges worth of juice in one cup!’ and Tasuku watched as oranges rolled down from the top, got cut in half and were squeezed. There was a plastic bag underneath for the remnants of the squeezed orange to fall into, and the juice was funnelled down into a cup below.
▼ The machine has a clear panel on the side so you can watch the whole squeezing process.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CTrNYEzJWr2/
▼ The finished product!
500 yen will get you 200 millilitres (6.8 grams) of freshly squeezed orange juice in a cup with a plastic lid on top to stop it spilling. Pretty nifty!
▼ Here’s the cup next to a pen for size comparison.
▼ The vending machine also has straws so you can drink the juice without taking off the lid.
As Tasuku took his first sip, he immediately noticed the difference between this and regular store-bought orange juice. This was a cup of chilled, refreshing orange juice, and it tasted much more delicious than he was expecting. This tasted… well, really fresh, and you’d be hard-pressed to find other drinks that taste like it.
Tasuku decided to stick around the vending machine for a while and check out the kind of people who were using it. It seemed to be attracting more kids than adults, probably because they were interested in the inner workings of the machine. Tasuku reckons this would be a huge hit at a theme park or somewhere with a lot of children, but if you’re interested in trying it out, there are currently three vending machines dotted around Japan, at Aeon Town Fujimino and Mami Mart Tokorozawa Yamaguchi (both in Saitama) and Shibuya Marui in Tokyo.
Alternatively, if orange juice just isn’t your thing, why not give this apple juice vending machine a try instead?
Photos: ©SoraNews24
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]]> https://soranews24.com/2021/09/17/we-try-fresh-orange-juice-squeezed-for-us-by-a-vending-machine-in-saitama%e3%80%90taste-test%e3%80%91/feed/ 0 556456 DSC_1434-copy-2 Your favorite sparkling orange juice is becoming a sweet snack you can eat any time https://soranews24.com/2016/03/18/your-favorite-sparkling-orange-juice-is-becoming-a-sweet-snack-you-can-eat-any-time/ https://soranews24.com/2016/03/18/your-favorite-sparkling-orange-juice-is-becoming-a-sweet-snack-you-can-eat-any-time/#comments Fri, 18 Mar 2016 13:00:08 +0000 http://en.rocketnews24.com/?p=309304 
Orangina fans in Japan are soon going to have a chewy reason to celebrate.
What was born at a trade fair in France lives on to this day as the carbonated citrus drink we all know as Orangina. The drink has gained popularity in Japan after the beverage giant Suntory acquired the beverage back in 2009, and, Starting on March 29, you’ll be able to carry around the brilliant taste in your pocket in gummy form!
Produced by Tokyo-based food company Lotte, these tasty little treats are shaped like the classic bottle the drink comes in and will contain a hint of orange peel to enhance the flavor. You’ll be able to find a pouch at your local convenience store and supermarkets for only 180 yen (US$1.60).
You can never get enough Orangina, so feel free to double-fist with a bottle in one hand and a few gummies in the other. Orange you glad we brought this to your attention?
Source: Entabe
Images: PR Times
]]> https://soranews24.com/2016/03/18/your-favorite-sparkling-orange-juice-is-becoming-a-sweet-snack-you-can-eat-any-time/feed/ 0 309304 orangina 1 d2360-618-844820-2 Next time you eat an orange, why not make it into an orange caterpillar first? https://soranews24.com/2015/01/07/next-time-you-eat-an-orange-why-not-make-it-into-an-orange-caterpillar-first/ https://soranews24.com/2015/01/07/next-time-you-eat-an-orange-why-not-make-it-into-an-orange-caterpillar-first/#comments Wed, 07 Jan 2015 08:30:46 +0000 http://en.rocketnews24.com/?p=207550 
During the winter months Japanese people often like to relax under their heated tables (kotatsu) and enjoy a nice mikan tangerine. Its juicy sweetness and vitamin C is a great compliment to these chilly nights. But really, anywhere in the world, anytime is a good time to enjoy some variation of orange, isn’t it?
So next time you get ready to peel a mandarin or clementine how about making it into a caterpillar first like many Twitter users in Japan have been doing in recent years? It’s super easy and we’re going to show you how.
Most of this process is simply making an “orange strip” as outlined by Sara at JewelPie. All it takes is a mikan or similar fruit and a knife. I recommend using the biggest knife you can find, because it’s like, cool.
First, just slice off the top and bottom portion of the peel. Be careful not to puncture the flesh inside!
Okay, now if your orange looks like this then STOP! I screwed it up at this point. Because I was preoccupied with not cutting too deep, I forgot to consider how wide it should be. When you go to make the incision yourself, be sure to cut at least 25 percent wider around the top and bottom. But since we love mikan, we’re going to push on with our experiment despite the less-than-ideal hole size.
Next, make another careful incision along the side.
When it’s complete, you just have to pull your mikan open. Since mine was destined for failure already it didn’t come apart smoothly because the peel was still holding the individual slices too tightly, causing it to break in two.
For the purposes of Sara’s recipe this is fine since it’s only meant to be a convenient way to enjoy an orange. But for making a caterpillar, it’s a complete wash. In half, it now looks more like an isopod than a caterpillar.
All that’s left to do is draw on the face of your caterpillar or isopod with a marker. I decided to draw on Mr. Sato‘s face.
And you’re done!
I know… Mine sucked, so here are some made by other mikan lovers that were posted on Twitter.
https://twitter.com/___000q/status/532044914490490880
冬眠いもむしみかん pic.twitter.com/uLI1IQzLWH
— コンブ (@3machico) January 25, 2014
いもむしみかん pic.twitter.com/ATXFOegMRw
— ゆーき (@m3simply) November 4, 2013
みかんいもむし pic.twitter.com/T2mfEEbmTX
— 福留茜 (@akanefukudome) January 8, 2014
Image: Twitpic
Image: Twitpic
Image: Twitpic
You might notice that a common pattern people drew belongs to a Spicebush Swallowtail caterpillar known for its bright orange coloring and two large markings that resemble eyes giving it the appearance of a snake to predators. But by all means draw whatever pops into your head when making your own, because for this caterpillar the only predator is you! We’ll now leave you with a little more of our Mr. Satopillar isopod.
Source: JewelPie, Naver Matome (Japanese)
Images: RocketNews24 unless otherwise noted
]]> https://soranews24.com/2015/01/07/next-time-you-eat-an-orange-why-not-make-it-into-an-orange-caterpillar-first/feed/ 1 207550 Orange-flavored rice balls: Japan’s newest way to fuse vitamin C and carbs https://soranews24.com/2014/05/19/orange-flavored-rice-balls-japans-newest-way-to-fuse-vitamin-c-and-carbs/ https://soranews24.com/2014/05/19/orange-flavored-rice-balls-japans-newest-way-to-fuse-vitamin-c-and-carbs/#comments Mon, 19 May 2014 05:30:58 +0000 http://en.rocketnews24.com/?p=149587 
Ehime Prefecture on the western coast of Shikoku is known all through Japan for its tasty mikan, or satsuma oranges. Although the fruit is delicious enough on its own, the people of Ehime love to think up new ways to enjoy the fresh taste of a local orange. In the past, we have seen funny-shaped oranges and even citrus-flavored fish, but now there’s a new way to get some vitamin C in your life: orange-flavored rice balls.
We dropped by a shop near the hot springs that inspired Hayao Miyazaki’s Spirited Away which sells the rice balls. But these little delicacies are only available for a limited time, so click below to find out more about this surprisingly delicious culinary creation!
This isn’t the first time Ehime has thought about putting oranges in their rice, apparently some lucky kids are served rice cooked with fresh-squeezed satsuma juice as part of their school lunch for a special treat. This interesting rice habit has been reported in Japanese media where audiences were pretty shocked to see what Ehime is putting in their rice!
Recently, a shop near the famous Dogo Onsen hot springs in Matsuyama City started to sell special “Original Satsuma Rice Balls” and needless to say we had to check it out.
▼ “Dogo Tamaya,” the souvenir shop near the hot springs where you can find out how well oranges and rice mix
▼ The rice balls on display with a sign boasting “bloggers and Twitter users say we’re delicious!”
The rice balls are pretty much exactly what they sound like, rice flavored with locally grown oranges rolled up into a ball. At first look, they even look like a little orange. The rice balls are about the size of a satsuma and even have a real leaf attached to the top.
▼ One of these rice balls fits nicely into the palm of your hand, almost like a real Ehime satsuma
▼ A genuine orange leaf is attached to the packaging of each rice ball
So far the presentation was great for these little rice balls. It’s hard to get much cuter than a rice ball packaged up to look like an orange. But the time of judgement came—would the taste of rice and the tartness of an orange go together? The rice had such an orange tint and it was hard to believe that the tartness and acidity of an orange would translate well to rice.
▼ The rice ball smelled like freshly squeezed orange juice as soon as it was unwrapped
▼ Breaking apart the rice ball, you can see there is some chicken and fried tofu mixed in
Taking a few nibbles of the rice ball was a huge surprise for the tongue. First, there was the familiar taste of rice and then an intense blast of orange. Something about the sourness, sweetness and bitterness of the area’s famed satsumas really mixed well with the rice. It almost tasted like the rice was cooked with bits of the peel to give it that really strong citrus flavor. The chicken and the tofu pieces were actually pretty bland and the satsuma flavor takes over the whole rice ball.
The rice ball ultimately won us over and we definitely recommend you to try it out if your travels take you to the west end of Shikoku. The rice balls are only available for as long as they have enough satsumas, so make those travel plans ASAP. And since it’s a seasonal item, the price of one of these little treats can actually move around.
Does the idea of an orange-flavored rice ball make you drool or would you rather keep these two foods separate? Let us know in the comments below what you think of this Ehime speciality!
Shop info
Dogo Tamaya
Address: 6-13 Dogo-Yunomachi Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture
Hours: 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM, 7 days a week
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]]> https://soranews24.com/2014/05/19/orange-flavored-rice-balls-japans-newest-way-to-fuse-vitamin-c-and-carbs/feed/ 2 149587 2015.05.18 mikan 1 2015.05.18 mikan 3 2015.05.18 mikan 4 2015.05.18 mikan 5 2015.05.18 mikan 6 2015.05.18 mikan 7 2015.05.18 mikan 8 Double Drink Bottles a Hit in Korea, Especially with the Hopelessly Indecisive https://soranews24.com/2012/10/27/double-drink-bottles-a-hit-in-korea-especially-with-the-hopelessly-indecisive/ https://soranews24.com/2012/10/27/double-drink-bottles-a-hit-in-korea-especially-with-the-hopelessly-indecisive/#comments Fri, 26 Oct 2012 21:00:49 +0000 http://en.rocketnews24.com/?p=24667 
RocketNews’ ever faithful correspondent, Kuzo, stumbled upon a new type of drink while traveling abroad. The bottle is divided down the middle with one side containing 100% orange juice and the other holding grape juice.
The cap has two separate spouts and lids, so if you want a sweet treat of grape juice just do that side. If you feel a cold coming on then go the other way for a vitamin C boost.
Or if you want to really take a walk on the wild side, flip them both up for a very loosely mixed orange/grape blend.
The drink is sold in South Korea at 7-Eleven or other convenience stores. Having tried some, Kuzo reported that it was a little too sweet, but not syrupy. Overall it was enjoyably refreshing.
The real treat comes afterwards. You can reuse the bottle with any two drinks you want. Dr. Pepper and milk; coffee and tomato juice; the sky’s the limit! Apparently it’s what the youngsters in Korea are doing these days.
So if you’re in Korea, and especially if you don’t quite know what you want to drink, check out some Duet.
Original article: Kuzo
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