From California! Experience eclipseco, a plant-based ice cream brand, as it makes its Japan debut at a limited-time pop-up store.
Hello everyone. My name is Yuki Ota from Social Relations Division 3.
This may be sudden, but did you know that the market for plant-based (non-dairy) ice cream has been gaining momentum since the start of this year?
| Plant-based refers to… something derived from plants, and “plant-based foods” is a general term for plant-based alternative foods. |
The catalyst was IKEA’s hugely popular soft-serve ice cream switching to a plant-based version in October 2023. Since then, many plant-based ice creams have been announced, including Morinaga’s rice ice cream “OKOMETO” in March 2024 and Häagen-Dazs’ GREEN CRAFT mini cup “Soy Milk Banana Chocolat,” made with plant-based milk, which went on sale in April.
Amid this momentum, the much-talked-about California startup Eclipse Foods has brought its remarkably creamy plant-based ice cream, “eclipseco,” to Japan for the first time!
SUNNY SIDE UP handled the launch PR in Japan, and on March 6 we invited media and influencers to a press event and advance tasting. In addition, a limited-time pop-up store is currently being held.
In this article, we will thoroughly report on the appeal of “eclipseco,” which is so delicious it will overturn your idea of plant-based ice cream.
Rich, creamy plant-based ice cream “eclipseco”
The three flavors making their Japan debut are “eclipseco Cookie Butter,” “eclipseco Chocolate,” and “eclipseco Mango Passion,” all especially popular in the U.S.
Cookie Butter offers an American-style taste with cinnamon-flavored cookie pieces; Chocolate tastes just like a chocolate brownie; and Mango Passion has a refreshing mango and passion fruit flavor that is irresistibly addictive.
Many plant-based ice creams inevitably retain the taste of ingredients such as soy milk or almond milk, but eclipseco does not rely on a single plant ingredient. By combining multiple plant-derived ingredients, it delivers a delicious finish right through the aftertaste.
With its dense, rich texture and vibrant, international-style flavors, it is an ice cream you can enjoy to the very last bite without getting tired of it—so much so that, if you tried it without being told, you would not even realize it is plant-based.
My top recommendation is “eclipseco Chocolate”!
The deep chocolate flavor and satisfying, brownie-like richness are simply irresistible. It is creamy with a strong milk-like taste, so the first time I tried it, even though I knew it was plant-based, I was shocked that it contains no dairy…!
Even before considering whether it is plant-based, it is exceptionally delicious as “ice cream,” and we would like as many people as possible to experience it.
From California! The buzzworthy startup “Eclipse Foods”
Eclipse Foods is a platform company that uses proprietary patented technology to create plant-based dairy alternatives from plant-derived ingredients. Founded in 2019 by alternative-protein expert Aylon Steinhart (left in the photo) and chef Thomas Bowman (right in the photo), who has earned Michelin stars, the company established its Japanese subsidiary as Eclipse Foods Japan, led by Kaori Omiyachi (center in the photo), in conjunction with this Japan launch.
The secret lies in a powder created by Eclipse Foods called the “eclipseco blend,” which resembles skim milk powder.
While the brand has made its Japan debut with ice cream, by combining multiple plant-derived ingredients rather than relying on a single plant component, it can produce not only ice cream but all dairy products in plant-based form.
We are very much looking forward to seeing what products Eclipse Foods will develop in the future.
Scenes from the Japan debut press event
Ahead of the March 12 launch, a media press event and advance tasting was held on March 6.
At the event, three speakers—Aylon Steinhart and Thomas Bowman of Eclipse Foods, and Kaori Omiyachi—took the stage. As members of the media sampled eclipseco, they discussed an overview of Eclipse Foods, the secret behind creating delicious plant-based ice cream, and the company’s future outlook. eclipseco was met with rave reviews from the media as well, with comments such as “I can’t believe it doesn’t use milk!” and “It’s delicious!” A plant-based milk café latte made using Eclipse Foods’ technology was also served exclusively at the event, and the media appeared unable to hide their surprise at how similar it tasted to dairy.
The venue was unified in a pop and cute world view that felt true to Eclipse Foods, with photo spots and capsule toys also prepared.
One area even featured a booth that looked just like an ice cream shop.
It was also said to be “too cute” by the media.
eclipseco now available at approximately 300 FamilyMart stores in Tokyo
“eclipseco Cookie Butter,” “eclipseco Chocolate,” and “eclipseco Mango Passion” have been on sale at FamilyMart stores in Tokyo since March 2024.
They are currently available at approximately 300 FamilyMart stores in Tokyo. The price is 325 yen for all three flavors (351 yen incl. tax). If you spot them, please give them a try.
For details on “eclipseco,” including “stores where it is available,” click here.
Limited-time pop-up store open until Sunday, September 29, 2024
For a limited time from Saturday, August 10 to Sunday, September 29, 2024, a pop-up store is being held at ITOCHU SDGs STUDIO RESTAURANT Hoshi no Kitchen Hanare in Kita-Aoyama, Tokyo, where you can enjoy a limited-time menu created in collaboration with a chef.
Until Saturday, August 31, we offered limited quantities of “Tsugaru Melon Summer Passion Mango,” created by Chef Wataru Yokota—an ingredient-focused chef without a restaurant of his own who works as a private chef (on-site catering) and provides food consulting for restaurants in Japan and abroad—using sweet and juicy “Tsugaru melon,” a specialty of Aomori, where he is based, as well as an eclipseco special shake, “Aomori Plum Cookie Butter w/BISCOFF® cookies,” made with “Aomori plums”!
In addition, as the second installment of the eclipseco special menu, we are offering a gourmet plant-based shake designed by Ben Roches, a chef with a Michelin background, which highlights seasonal fruits and creates a rich flavor, from Sunday, September 1 to Sunday, September 29!
The interior is a pop and cute space that feels just like eclipseco, with plenty of photo spots. There are also kid-friendly activities, such as original merchandise sales and capsule toys where you can get an ice cream keychain—so why not add it to your list of places to visit?
At SUNNY SIDE UP, we will continue to provide PR support as a partner of Eclipse Foods. Please keep an eye on this brand as it continues to gain momentum.
