Beat the Heat with Delicious Treats! The Ultimate “Exquisite Ice Cream” [Ice Milk & Lacto Ice Cream Category / Frozen Dessert Category]
The Midsummer Cold Dessert Battle [Part 2]
“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 trend 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 across three categories: “Ice Cream,” “Ice Milk & Lacto Ice,” and “Frozen Treats.”Let’s take a look at the “Ice Milk & Lacto-Ice Category” and the “Frozen Treats Category.”
Meiji, Morinaga, Lotte… A Lineup of Popular Products from Leading Brands
Chihiro Matsubayashi, a confectionery market researcher, says, “In the Ice Milk & Lacto Ice Cream category, Meiji’s ‘Essel Super Cup Super Vanilla’ is the ultimate choice.”
“Even though it doesn’t have as much milk fat as regular ice cream, it has a rich, full-bodied flavor and a clean finish. It’s been so hot lately that eating authentic ice cream makes you crave water. It can even feel a bit heavy in the height of summer. With ‘Super Cup,’ though, its crisp finish means you can enjoy it on its own.It’s also great that it comes in a large 200-ml serving for a market price of around 150 yen (‘MOW’ is only 14 ml).”
Other products in this category include Ezaki Glico’s “Giant Cone Chocolate Nut” (actual price around 160 yen),Morinaga Confectionery’s “Choco Monaka Jumbo” (actual price around 160 yen), and Lotte’s “Sō Vanilla” (actual price around 110 yen).
While this category features a lineup of long-standing bestsellers from various companies, frozen food expert Dai Takemura and Mr. Arai, mentioned earlier, recommend Lotte’s “Coolish Vanilla” (actual price around 150 yen) as the top choice.
“The concept is ‘ice cream you drink at -8°C,’ and it was the first ice cream product to adopt the portable pouch packaging typically used for jelly drinks. Since you can simply close the lid to avoid getting your hands sticky, it’s a product that fits perfectly with today’s trend of walking while holding a smartphone,” said Mr. Takemura.
Mr. Arai highly praises the minor seasonal adjustments made to “Coolish.”
“To create a refreshing texture, the product contains fine ice crystals, and their size is adjusted for each season. For example, in summer, the ice crystals are made larger to enhance the cooling sensation, while in winter, they’re made smaller to emphasize richness. Additionally, in winter, milk fat is added to enhance the milky flavor.It’s wonderful that, despite being a popular product, they don’t rest on their laurels but continue to make these subtle adjustments.”
Which “No. 1 Ice Candy” Tops the List of Classic Favorites?
Let’s finally turn our attention to the last category: ice treats. When it comes to the quintessential summer treat, Akagi Dairy’s “Gari-Gari-Kun Soda” (actual price around 85 yen) is the first thing that comes to mind. Mr. Matsubayashi, mentioned earlier, ranks this ice cream—which you can’t help but reach for on hot days—as his top pick.
“People tend to focus on the low price, but I want you to pay attention to how they use ‘pure ice’—ice free of impurities.The outside is coated with a firm layer, while the inside hides coarsely shaved ice with a crunchy texture. That unique, satisfying mouthfeel comes from this two-layer structure. With the 2023 relaunch, the proportion of larger ice chunks increased, evolving into an even more refreshing flavor.”
Mr. Takemura, mentioned earlier, casts his vote for another classic ice treat: Imuraya’s “Azuki Bar” (actual price around 75 yen).
“I love the aroma of the azuki beans—there are about 100 beans per bar, so they’re used generously—and the subtle sweetness. The downside is that it’s hard enough to be a weapon (laughs). It’s so hard it feels like it might break your teeth, but fans who are used to it eat it by licking it until it melts.”
However, there is one product that beat out these two classic, long-standing bestsellers to take the top spot in the frozen dessert category: Ezaki Glico’s “Ice no Mi Grape Muscat” (actual price around 150 yen).
“A thin layer of fruit-infused ice coats the entire treat, so your hands don’t get dirty when you eat it. Inside is a gelato with a rich, fruity flavor, offering a juicy, succulent texture.
By using the gelato-making method, the ice crystals are finer than in regular ice cream, and the air content is lower. Since the fruit’s aroma is firmly locked in, the grape flavor explodes in your mouth the moment you take a bite.
“To bring out the full potential of ‘Ice no Mi,’ move it from the freezer to the refrigerator and let it thaw slightly before eating. My recommendation is 23 minutes after transferring it to the fridge. At that point, ‘Ice no Mi’ is absolutely delicious,” (Mr. Arai, mentioned earlier)
“Coolish” in the Ice Milk & Lacto Ice Cream category, “Ice no Mi” in the Frozen Dessert category, and “Palm” in the Ice Cream category. Why not compare these “exquisite ice creams” from each genre and enjoy a cool, delicious way to get through this summer?
From the July 31, 2026 issue of *FRIDAY*
PHOTO： Hiroyuki Komatsu