One thing I do at least once a week without fail is treat myself out to some delicious food or dessert. It's very important time well spent to ensure happiness. I’ve been working relatively hard as of late. I had some spare time before a business meeting, so I took advantage of the occasion to treat myself to some desserts. My destination: ATELIER de GODIVA located inside Seibu Ikebukuro. GODIVA has numerous stores throughout Tokyo, but Ikebukuro’s concept store branch has an eat-in space that’s perfect for that tea or coffee break.   ATELIER de GODIVA boasts that same level of quality when it comes to their desserts, some of which are exclusive to this branch. There are only three branches: this one in Seibu Ikebukuro (Tokyo), another in Daimaru Kyoto (Kyoto), and the last in Hakata Hankyu (Fukuoka). The cake I am showing you today is a special dessert sold only in these three branches (and is takeout only at Hakata Hankyu).   The first delight I ordered was the Mousse Matcha Cherry.

Mousse Matcha Cherry: Eat in ¥980 / Takeout ¥780 (*Matcha Ice Cream is eat-in only)

Available: Until November 26, 2019 while supplies last

The shiny cake is served on a round white plate with a dollop of matcha ice cream. The pink berry sauce is drizzled around the plate to make the plating even cuter. Time to tuck in. This extravagant cake is supported by a fluffy matcha mousse topped with a crunchy chocolate sable. On top of that still are juicy cherries, adding a hint of freshness to the cake. The matcha glaze on the mousse has just the right amount of bitterness, which when coupled with the subtly sweet matcha mousse makes for a heavenly balance of flavours. Lined around the base of the mousse are sweet and sour dried raspberries which elevated the matcha-ness of the matcha mousse. The matcha ice cream which it comes with when you order to eat in is rich and creamy. I was full up after my dessert, but since I’d taken the time to come here I wanted to order a drink too... so I got a takeout Chocolixir Uji Matcha Kiwami from a shop adjoining ATELIER de GODIVA.

Chocolixir Uji Matcha Kiwami - ¥602 (*Takeout only at the GODIVA Seibu Ikebukuro branch)

This new drink is part of GODIVA’s chocolate and tea pairing series. The chefs at GODIVA have carefully selected the best varieties of tea to combine with chocolate. This one is an iced drink made with white chocolate and matcha. It’s a mix of GODIVA’s popular smooth and sweet white chocolate and rich Uji matcha. It’s crowned with a sprinkling of bitter Uji matcha powder. All of the flavours are highlighted in this sweet drink. The crunchy white chocolate pieces you sip up as you drink are delicious. It’s the kind of drink where you’re sure to find something new each time you take a drink.   My 30-minute tea break is my little self-indulgence for the day. Spare minutes in my daily schedule affords me the chance to go and enjoy some delicious desserts. You should treat yourself to some special autumntime sweets too.   Today’s Presents

Matcha Adzuki ATELIER Tablet - ¥800

It’s important to share the happiness between family and colleagues on when you get the chance to enjoy something tasty. The present I bought today was a tablet chocolate handmade in the shop. The matcha white chocolate has almonds in it as well as Japanese-style chocolate mixed with adzuki. It has a strong matcha flavour and isn’t overly-sweet. You can also request for a ribbon to be tied around it for gift-giving. It’s a chocolate that’s sure to bring anyone joy.   Writer：Sayuri Mizuno（MOSHI MOSHI NIPPON）Translator: Joshua Kitosi-Isanga

Ginza's luxury ice cream shop has released a new parfait flavour for the Halloween and autumn season. They have called it the "Akiiro Murasaki coi Parfait" (Autumn Colour Purple coi Parfait). Coloured like the vivid sumire plant―a species of violet―this mouth-watering parfait contains a jam made in-house with whole natsuhaze, a wild type of blueberry that has been used in Japan since ancient times. It's topped with a dollop of rich and milky ice cream, a puree made from in-season purple sweet potatoes, and assorted nuts for added crunch. Natsuhaze blueberries contain a lot of polyphenols, giving them an elegant sour flavour which goes unbelievably well with the taste of the milky ice cream and sweet potato. The parfait is served with a liqueur made from sumire extract. For the Halloween period between October 16 to 31, the parfait can also be topped with various spooky decorations at no extra cost, like chocolate ghosts, spiders and cobwebs.   If you're celebrating Halloween in Japan this year, or want to treat your date to a Halloween treat, then take them to Tokyo's high-class shopping district Ginza for a luxurious parfait.

Starbucks Coffee Japan has announced a new beverage called the Halloween Dark Night Frappuccino® which will be released at Starbucks branches (*1) across Japan from 17:22 (*2)―the time of sunset when night begins―on October 18, 2019. The coffee chain is also releasing its new "Halloween Masquerade" filter on Instagram (*3).   *1. Select branches not participating. *2. Roll out time may differ at select branches. *3. Instagram is a service owned by Facebook, Inc. The above-mentioned filter is not backed or managed by Instagram in any way nor is it affiliated with the service.The Halloween Dark Night Frappuccino® is themed on an evening masquerade party. It will go on sale when the sun sets at 17:22 on October 18. As the name suggests, the drink itself is black and mysterious like the night, blending together black cocoa powder with white chocolate brownie.   The jet black beverage also has a red hue to it which comes from a sweet and sour red berry sauce made from raspberries, cranberries and strawberries. It's topped with a squirt of fluffy whipped cream, sprinkled with black cocoa powder, and drizzled with more of that red berry sauce to create that Halloween aesthetic. The black cocoa adds a delicious bitterness to the sweetness of the brownie and the sweet and sour mixed berries, creating a mouth-watering flavour combination.   The Halloween Masquerade filter was developed by Starbucks for people's Instagram stories this Halloween. There are four masks to choose from which can be changed by just tapping on the screen. There are other cool Halloween effects on the filter to find too. Something might even pop out of your mouth if you open wide...Starbucks Japan will also sell the above-pictured Halloween cup stands when the drinks go on sale. Limited in stock, the stands come in black and white, titled Halloween Red Night Frappuccino® or the Halloween Dark Night Frappuccino® respectively. You can buy them separately or as a set.   Experience a spooky masquerade party at Starbucks this Halloween.