Rifts within the Chocomin Party

Diehard lovers of all things chocolate mint in Japan are sometimes referred to as チョコ民党 chocomintō, a portmanteau term jokingly alluding to politics by combining チョコミント chokominto meaning chocolate mint, and 民党 mintō, whch literally means "people's party."

Just like any party, political or otherwise, the Chocomin Party has variations in leanings among its members. When it comes to ice cream, for example, some like bars and others like cups, some like their mint strong, others mild, some prefer milk chocolate, others dark.

Finally, there are those who like their chocolate chunky and others who like it crumbled into smaller bits.

This final point is not as simple as it may seem. Not only does it change the texture of the ice cream but it also impacts the flavor profile, since the size of the pieces changes the ratio of mint to chocolate in each bite. Therefore, the "softies" and "hardliners" often can't agree on their favorite.

Chocomin Party pundits are cautiously hopeful, however, that a reconciliation is in sight, thanks to a new ice cream product.

Introducing 「日本初　自分で砕く！！チョコミント　セルフチョコレートクラッシュ！」 (nihon hatsu jibun de kudaku!! Chocominto serufu chocorēto kurasshu! | First in Japan - Crush it yourself!! Chocolate mint self-chocolate crush!!)

That's right. In a Japanese industry-first, Akagi Nyugyo Co., Ltd. has created a chocolate mint ice cream allowing you to customize the fineness of your chocolate chunks by crushing the chocolate yourself before eating it.

A thick layer of crunchy chocolate lines the inside of the cup. By squeezing the cup only a few times, you can enjoy the texture of larger pieces of crispy chocolate and refreshing chocolate mint ice cream. By squeezing it more, you can enjoy finer pieces of chocolate, creating more crunch in each bite and a more balanced mint ice cream to chocolate ratio. Depending on your mood or your Chocomin Party leanings, you can make your favorite cup of chocolate mint ice cream!

This ice cream will be available in Japan wherever ice cream is sold from November 15th, 2022, so why not vote with your wallet and give it a try!

Product information

• Name (JP): 「日本初　自分で砕く！！チョコミント　セルフチョコレートクラッシュ！」 (nihon hatsu jibun de kudaku!! Chocominto serufu chocorēto kurasshu!)
• Translation: First in Japan - Crush it yourself!! Chocolate mint self-chocolate crush!!
• Suggested Retail Price: 162 JPY (tax included)
• Type: Ice milk*
• Volume: 160 ml
• Energy: 296 kcal (per serving)
• Release Date: November 15th, 2022
• Sales area: Nationwide (Japan)

* According to the Japanese Ministry of Health and Welfare's "Ministerial Ordinance on Milk and Milk products Concerning Compositional Standards, etc.," the category of "ice milk" designates frozen dairy products containing a minimum 10% milk solids and 3% milk fat.