This is the Meiji Essel SuperCup Zunda, a limited edition flavour selected by fans as part of the Super Cup’s 30th anniversary crowdsourcing campaign, inspired by the traditional Sendai confection made from sweetened crushed edamame.
The ice cream presented with an off-white, almost grey hue with fine green flecks dispersed throughout. Aroma opened with immediate notes of grassy vanilla, characteristic of zunda.
Initial contact delivered creamy vanilla sweetness accented by delicate grassy notes, with a sweetness level comparable to a zunda shake. The ice cream possessed a light, fluffy texture, containing minuscule ice crystals that melted almost instantly on the tongue to create a thick, creamy, melt-in-the-mouth sensation reminiscent of the frozen zunda beverage. Through the mid-palate, as the creamy base melted away, the small flecks of zunda became more prominent, introducing a tender chew and a more concentrated expression of sweetened edamame flavour. Much like traditional zunda paste itself, the subtle coarseness of the crushed beans provided gentle textural interest without disrupting the smoothness of the ice cream. The restrained sweetness allowed the distinctive grassy, nutty profile of the edamame to remain clearly defined throughout.
Towards the finish, the zunda pieces became the dominant textural element, extending the sweet, grassy flavour long after the creamy base had melted. Aftertaste carried lingering vanilla and sweet edamame notes with a mellow nuttiness that remained true to the flavour of zunda. The balance between creaminess, texture and sweetness resulted in a particularly convincing frozen interpretation of the traditional confection.
Overall, a premium-style ice cream with a layered flavour progression and thoughtfully integrated textural contrast, resulting in an exceptionally successful translation of zunda into frozen form.
This Meiji Essel SuperCup Zunda contained 200 mL. It was produced in Japan and purchased in Sydney, Australia in 2026.