A social media sensation! Berlin's 'Umami, Tobacco, Matcha' ice cream is heating up the world.

Berlin Dispatch: The Cutting Edge of Ice Cream in Summer 2025

—The Three "What!?" Flavors of Umami, Tobacco, and Matcha Captivating Food Geeks Worldwide

1 Berlin as a Testing Ground for "Bold Ice Cream"

Following craft beer and sourdough, Berlin is now introducing "bold ice cream" to the world. The local newspaper Berliner Zeitung features a special on "Umami, Tobacco, Matcha," declaring that "this year's ice cream is a taste revolution for Berliners who can't be satisfied with just 'sweet.'"berliner-zeitung.de

2 Trend ① Umami—A Trio of Miso × Black Sesame × Chili

• The star is Katchi Ice Cream (Mitte & Charlottenburg). The "Umami Ice Cream," exclusive to Berlin Ice Week, features a bold design with a miso base, black sesame sauce, and a finishing touch of chili sauce. Homemade rice crackers are added to complete the "sweet and salty" contrast.katchi-ice.com

• On social media, there are exclamations of surprise like "the shock since I first tried salted caramel" and "it's like turning Japanese red miso ramen into a dessert." The official IG of the shop has introduced a tag called "#UmamiChallenge," making it a buzzworthy treat that tests your palate.facebook.com

• Japanese Perspective—For those of us accustomed to the richness of fermented foods, the "salty-sweet" combination surprisingly works. Miso × black sesame is akin to the sesame miso dumplings in Japanese sweets, with zero discomfort. However, be cautious as the chili's spicy aftertaste calls for a summer beer!

3 Trend ② Tobacco—From "Smoking" to "Licking"

• The offering is from Cuore di Vetro (Mitte). The shop once invented "tobacco gelato" by encapsulating Cuban cigar smoke in cream for their tribute to the late David Bowie, "Black Star," and this year, they've updated it. A subtle smokiness is enhanced with a layer of dark chocolate ganache.cntraveler.com

• "At first, it feels like an ashtray!? But then the vanilla aroma of bourbon follows, and it's addictive," says a Berlin-based gourmet blogger. Comments like "jazz plays in my stomach" also add a poetic touch.

• Japanese Perspective—The fragrance of cigars is similar to the nuances of hojicha or smoked soy sauce, making it a viable adult sweet. However, it's not available for minors, and each shop has its own rules, such as providing it in smoking areas, so be sure to check.

4 Trend ③ Matcha—From "Tea Ice Cream" to "Matcha Waffles"

• The matcha boom that gradually spread around 2023 has peaked this year. Japanese-style "rich matcha" has become mainstream, with offerings like Katchi's and Tenzan Lab's shaved ice × matcha cream.mitvergnuegen.com

• On IG, there are many comments like "Finally found real matcha soft serve in Berlin! The bitterness is deep!" (@_matcha_mai).instagram.cominstagram.cominstagram.com

• Japanese Impressions—The blend, with its restrained sweetness and pronounced tea leaf flavor, is actually "stronger" than in Japan. In a city with a latte art culture, two-layer iced lattes with matcha layered over espresso are also popular.

5 What SNS Indicates as "Berlin-ness"

6 Expert Interview

Dr. Katharina Keppler, Food Chemistry, Technical University of Berlin

"Berlin's ice cream artisans see the 'longer summers due to global warming' as a business opportunity and are searching for the 'third pole' of taste. By adding 'complexity' such as fermentation (umami), smoked aroma (tobacco), and tea catechins (matcha) in addition to the pleasure of sugar × fat, the brain suddenly rewards with 'This is new!' As a result, it spreads on SNS, creating a virtuous cycle where supply is reinvested."

7 Japanese Guide to "Bold Ice Cream" Practices

1. Pairing

   • Umami Ice Cream × Japanese Sake Sparkling

   • Tobacco Ice Cream × Bourbon Highball

   • Matcha Ice Cream × Genmaicha Ice Brewer

2. Takeaway Tips: Always carry a cooler bag, as Berlin's subways have weak air conditioning, so reach your hotel within 30 minutes.

3. Photography Tips: The first three minutes before the ice cream melts are crucial. Including graffiti from the Berlin Wall or the TV tower in the background doubles the "local feel."

8 Conclusion

Ice cream in Berlin has transformed from a "sweet reward" to a "sensory cultural experience." While miso and matcha are familiar ingredients to Japanese people, the idea of combining them with chili or smoke is still rare. In the summer of 2025, your next reason to visit Germany might be "cold desserts."