It seems like chocolate brands in Japan aren’t just battling it out to prove they can serve up the best chocolate, but they’re getting inspired by the local cuisine too. For one thing, these chocolatiers all seem to want to gain a foothold in one of the country’s most hotly contested dessert categories: matcha.

Godiva and Lindt have previously thrown their hat into the ring with matcha desserts and beverages, and now a newcomer, British brand Hotel Chocolat, have come up with some matcha treats of their own for their summer menu in 2022.

Two matcha items have been added to the cafe menu. First up is the ‘Matcha-cha Sundae’ (900 yen). It combines both matcha and Hotel Chocolate’s original cacao ice cream, ‘Ice Cream of the Gods’, for a match made in heaven. It also contains elements often found in traditional Japanese desserts such as kinako warabi mochi and sweet red bean paste, along with plenty of matcha powder of course. As you make your way down the sundae, you’ll also find brown sugar syrup and brown rice flakes.

And summer in Japan wouldn’t be the same without iced matcha drinks, so Hotel Chocolat has created the ‘Matcha-cha Choc’ (650 yen for regular size and 750 yen for large). The beverage is packed with Uji matcha and white chocolate, and matcha whipped cream is piled high on top.

These two matcha masterpieces are available at branches of Hotel Chocolat in Japan (not including Lalaport Fujimi).