This is the YBC Noir Zeitaku Chocolate Cream, a premium variant of the standard Noir line featuring 120% the usual cream content and a chocolate cream infused with almond (1.8%) and hazelnut (0.4%).
Each box contained one pack of eight sandwich biscuits, each approximately 4.5 cm in diameter and 1.2 cm in height, with the three layers—two cookies and a central cream layer—occupying roughly equal proportions. The biscuit shells had a deep brown-black hue, while the cream filling was a warm nutty brown. On opening, they released a bittersweet chocolate aroma with strong nutty notes reminiscent of a less sweet Nutella.
On tasting, the biscuits provided a crisp, clean snap. The cookie component was unsweetened and carried the familiar cocoa-rich, lightly savoury character of the regular Noir range. This contrasted well with the nut-infused cream filling, which delivered an unmistakably rich almond and hazelnut flavour. Although the cream texture was somewhat drier than the usual Noir buttercream, it quickly softened on the palate and melded with the fine crumb of the biscuit, producing a smooth, bittersweet, nutty chocolate finish. The overall balance between intensity, texture, and sweetness was highly refined.
The quality of the ingredients was immediately apparent, making this a worthwhile premium iteration of the standard Noir range.
This YBC Noir Zeitaku Chocolate Cream contained 89 g. It was produced in Japan and purchased in Sydney, Australia in 2025.