This is the Kuki Sangyo Kuro Goma Latte, an instant powder mix for a black sesame latte.

The powder consisted of a blend of ground black sesame, kinako powder sugar with a hint of salt. The packaging boasted of having about 6,000 black sesame seeds in every 15 g of powder.

Mixing 1 part powder with 10 parts cold full cream milk, the resulting latte was an opaque charcoal colour with a fragrant, nutty aroma. Served chilled, black sesame notes were noticeable right from the start of each sip, with their nuttiness becoming more pronounced through the earthy warmth of the kinako in the body. A subtle hint of salt in the finish balanced the sweetness of the latte, allowing the distinctive nuttiness of the black sesame to take the spotlight. The finely ground black sesame and kinako were perceptible on the palate, yet they didn’t disrupt the latte’s smooth, creamy mouthfeel. At a ratio of 1:10, the milk’s dairy notes were effectively masked by the dominant black sesame flavour, becoming detectable only momentarily in the finish. Overall, this latte mix celebrated the warm nuttiness of black sesame with finesse, making it worth repurchasing.

This Kuki Sangyo Kuro Goma Latte contained 150 g. It was produced in Japan and purchased in Sydney, Australia in 2023.