There's something slightly intimidating about the latest special flavor put out by Haagen-Dazs Japan. This is not simply a pumpkin-flavored ice cream. It is a pa-pa-pa-pumpkin-flavored ice cream, one with an added tart dimension that really ups the stakes of what to expect from this fall-themed dessert.
Available only at Family Mart, it leans in heavily on the pumpkin. The base is pumpkin ice cream but with "pumpkin sauce" swirled into it, doubling up on its autumnal theme. On top of that are two types of cookie crumbles — big crispy white bits along with smaller orange chunks. Again, a lot going on here, even if it's mostly just adding a lot of the same idea on top of itself.
It all comes together though. Either the two pumpkin elements balance out or one of them just isn't getting through, because the taste of that gourd is not overwhelming, offering a nice richness enhanced by the sweetness of the ice cream. And those cookies...fantastic, offering a nice textural change of pace AND welcome crunch to every bite.
