Ice cream and gelato has been the go-to for cooling refreshments for centuries, evolving from the Romans eating fruit-juice flavored snow to the vanilla, chocolate chip and other popular dairy-rich products we see today. But who says we have to stick to the regular flavors? This summer, several limited-edition frozen desserts have been released just in time for Japan's soaring temperatures.
For those who love Japanese sake, Gelateria Marghera in Azabu-juban has teamed up with Aramasa Shuzo, one of Japan's oldest sake brands, to create a sake gelato, which it is offering by the cup, cone, in a crepe or — if you're in the mood for a bigger hit — as an affogato (the espresso is replaced with a shot of sake).
Aramasa Shuzo was founded in 1852 in Akita Prefecture and its sake contains no additives (some sakes have extra added alcohol and other ingredients). Such sake is believed to have many health benefits, including lowering high cholesterol and blood pressure levels — so this one of those rare occasions that you could try and claim that having dessert is a healthy option.