There's only so many flavors for limited-time konbini items to play with. Rare does something boasting a radically rare taste come along. More often than not, it's more about familiar sweet and savory sensations being packaged in new ways, ideally with a cute character or J-pop idol slapped on the wrapper.

Family Mart's new collaboration with tea chain Afternoon Tea serves up a genuinely novel flavor across an assortment of breads, desserts and snacks. The majority of the 26 items within utilize Earl Grey tea taste, a choice that especially works wonders with the baked goods in this series. The crispy sandwich cookie, for example, offers a nice, slightly bitter experience in a not-too-filling treat.

That's all dandy, but there's one item adding another element that reveals a truly revelatory combination of tastes. The Orange And Earl Grey Milk Tea Ice Bar already would have been a winner if it just leaned into the latter part of its title, as the Earl Grey flavor works especially well with the soft texture of the ice cream. Yet as you get to the middle you hit a big pocket of orange flavor, a splash of tart that matches just right with the tea around it.  A true rarity worth enjoying while it is around.