A Culinary Bridge: Italy Meets Kyoto in Venchi’s New Matcha Gelato
Venchi, the celebrated Italian chocolatier and gelateria known for embodying the ‘Shared Togetherness’ Italian lifestyle, is about to enchant palates with its first-ever Japan-exclusive flavor: Matcha. Starting December 1, 2025, this innovative gelato will be available at all Venchi directly managed stores, offering a unique blend of Italian artistry and Japanese tradition.
The Essence of Kyoto in Every Scoop
Venchi’s commitment to selecting the finest ingredients led them to Kyoto’s venerable Ippodo Tea Co. (一保堂茶舖) for their inaugural Japanese gelato flavor. Ippodo Tea Co., established in 1717, is a specialist in Japanese tea, maintaining its legacy of delivering consistently exquisite flavors, particularly its mild and mellow “Kyo Meicha.”
This exceptional matcha is then transformed into an authentic Italian gelato using Venchi’s signature approach. The process respects the inherent structure and robustness of the tea leaves, accentuating their sharp bitterness, profound umami, and their characteristic vibrant green hue without any artificial coloring.
To ensure the matcha’s true essence shines through, the gelato base is crafted with reduced sweetness, allowing the natural sweetness and subtle bitterness of the tea to deliver a rich, deep flavor. This dedication to natural ingredients is a hallmark of Venchi’s gelato, which eschews preservatives and artificial colors, focusing instead on maximizing the appeal of carefully selected raw materials.
A Legacy of Quality and Innovation
Venchi’s story began in the 1800s in Piedmont, Italy, fueled by Silviano Venchi’s passion for chocolate. The company, officially founded in 1878, has a rich 145-year history, preserving classic Italian recipes like Gianduiotto and Nougatine while continuously innovating with adventurous new flavors. Gelato recipe development started in 2007, with a focus on natural ingredients and fresh preparation.
Today, Venchi boasts over 175 directly managed stores globally, spanning major cities from London to New York, Hong Kong, and Dubai, with exports to over 70 countries. The introduction of the Matcha flavor marks a significant step in their journey, embracing local traditions with their distinctive Italian flair.
“This collaboration with Ippodo Tea Co. is a testament to our commitment to honoring local traditions while infusing them with our authentic Italian craftsmanship,” a representative from Venchi-Japan stated. “We believe this Matcha gelato will offer a unique and memorable experience to our customers.”
Where to Savor the New Flavor
The Japan-exclusive Matcha gelato will be available at Venchi’s directly managed stores across Japan. For more details on store locations and operating hours, please visit the official website.
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Venchi Official Website & Online Store: https://venchi.co.jp
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Instagram: @venchi_jp
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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VenchiJP/
This innovative collaboration between Italian gelato mastery and Japan’s revered tea tradition is more than just a new flavor; it’s a cultural dialogue. It highlights how the ‘Kawaii Japan Lifestyle’ continues to inspire and integrate with global culinary arts, creating unique experiences that resonate across borders and surely will bring a smile to many faces worldwide.
