Starbucks Japan releases new seasonal chilled cup tea latte with surprising accents in flavour

Limited-edition drink serves up a new taste of autumn.

Starbucks’ chilled cup range was first released in Japan ahead of the globe over 20 years ago, and since then it’s undergone many transformations, with limited-edition exclusives capturing the taste of the season.

Now, as we stride through autumn, the chain is giving us a new limited-edition release called the Joyful Harmony Tea Latte, which delivers chill autumn vibes with some interesting accents in flavour.

At the heart of the drink is black tea, with oolong and jasmine tea adding extra layers of complexity, combined with a good serving of milk for a creamy finish. The surprise flavour, however, is apricot, which is said to balance well with the fuller body of tea and creamy milk. Though fruity accents tend to act as a mellow counterpart in a lot of teas, Starbucks says this drink has a distinctive rich apricot aroma and a fruity taste reminiscent of perfectly ripe apricots, so you can truly enjoy the taste of the fruit.

The autumn theme is beautifully captured in the design on the cup, which features jasmine flowers, tea leaves and apricots, in gold and warm-toned hues to represent the layers of flavour and fragrance in the beverage.

While the drink can be enjoyed on its own, it’s said to pair particularly well with desserts like Sweet Potato Mont Blanc. According to the chain, the gentle sweetness and smooth texture of this dessert complements the creamy milk and fragrant tea flavours in the latte.

The chilled cup is a quick and easy way to enjoy Starbucks without having to stop by the chain, and it can be purchased at 7-Eleven stores and other retailers nationwide for a limited time from 13 October, priced at 230 yen (US$1.46).