Beat the Heat! Here Are the “Best Ice Creams” Selected by Experts for Their Taste and Value! [Ice Cream Category]
The Midsummer Cold Treat Battle [Part 1]
Experts Engage in an In-Depth Discussion on “Exquisite Ice Cream”!
“With the Japan Meteorological Agency deciding in April of this year to designate days with maximum temperatures of 40°C or higher as ‘extreme heat days,’ coping with intense heat has become a societal issue.
This impact is also evident in the ice cream market, where approximately 1,100 varieties are sold annually; among the new products companies have launched for this summer, there has been an increase in refreshing options such as ice pops.
“This suggests that manufacturers are actively developing products with the intense heat in mind,” says Shizurina Arai, an ice cream researcher.
Ice cream is classified into four categories based on the amount of milk solids and milk fat: “Ice Cream” (15% or more milk solids, of which 8% or more is milk fat) →“Ice Milk” (10% or more milk solids, of which 3% or more is milk fat) → “Lacto Ice” (3% or more milk solids) → “Ice Candy” (all others).
It seems that companies are focusing on light-tasting ice confections in preparation for the expected intense heat.
So, which “exquisite ice cream” will help you beat the sweltering heat this summer with its taste and value? Based on scores from three experts, FRIDAY has compiled a ranking of the best products in three categories: “Ice Cream,” “Ice Milk & Lacto Ice,” and “Frozen Treats.”
Let’s take a look at the “Ice Cream Category.”
“I recommend Morinaga Milk Industry’s ‘MOW Vanilla.’ ‘MOW’ uses dairy ingredients—such as domestically produced skimmed milk concentrate and fresh cream—that are also found in premium-tier ice creams.
The other day, I ate Sujata’s ‘Vanilla’ on the Shinkansen, and its flavor is quite similar to ‘MOW.’It’s surprising that while Sujata costs around 380 yen, ‘MOW’ can be bought for around 150 yen at actual retail prices. ‘Haagen-Dazs Vanilla’ is certainly delicious too, but at around 350 yen per serving, it can’t really be called good value for money” (ibid.).
“The perfect harmony of chocolate and ice cream” makes this the ultimate treat
In contrast to the well-received “MOW,” Mr. Arai says of Ezaki Glico’s “Farm-Fresh Milk” that it’s “a close call…”
“It uses milk that’s been milked within three days and is characterized by a rich flavor and a smooth aftertaste. It’s certainly delicious, but even though the packaging prominently features the word ‘Milk,’ the vanilla aroma is very strong. It leaves you thinking, ‘But I wanted to eat milk ice cream…’
This has to do with the milk pasteurization method. Standard-tier ice creams like ‘Farm-Fresh,’ which sell for around 150 yen, often use high-pressure pasteurization, which can sterilize large volumes of milk quickly. While this keeps costs down, it leaves a milky odor in the milk. Vanilla is used to mask that odor.”
So, is the winner in the ice cream category, as expected, “MOW”? No—Dai Takemura, a frozen food expert, recommends a different ice cream sold by the same company, Morinaga Milk Industry.
“‘Palm Chocolate’ is probably the best. It’s made with the concept of ‘a simple, slightly luxurious chocolate bar ice cream that satisfies adults.’
With other chocolate bar ice creams, the outer chocolate is crispy, and it doesn’t blend well with the ice cream inside. However, with ‘Palm,’ the focus is on melt-in-the-mouth texture rather than crunch, so it melts away pleasantly in your mouth at the same time as the ice cream. Since you can enjoy this for an actual price of around 160 yen, its satisfaction level is a cut above the rest.”
Confectionery market researcher Chihiro Matsubayashi also casts his vote for “Palm.”
“The product name comes from ‘Palma,’ the Italian word for ‘palm.’ Its rounded shape, which makes it easy to hold, also helps ensure an even chocolate coating. The ice cream inside is also exceptional; rapid freezing minimizes ice crystals, resulting in a smooth mouthfeel.”
While “Palm” took the top spot in the Ice Cream category, “Coolish” claimed first place in the “Ice Milk & Lacto Ice” category, and “Ice no Mi” took the top spot in the “Frozen Dessert” category (*see ranking image at the bottom of the article). Why not compare and contrast the “exquisite ice creams” in each category to enjoy a cool and delicious summer this year?
From the July 31, 2026 issue of *FRIDAY*
PHOTO： Hiroyuki Komatsu