5 Treats That Prove That Japan in Autumn 2020 Is a Sweet Potato Wonderland

Starting with the product likely to be purchased by the largest number of people, this new seasonal frappuccino from Starbucks is based on the flavor of "daigakuimo" (大学芋)―a Japanese dish of sweet potatoes fried in oil, glazed in a syrup of sugar, mirin, and soy sauce, and topped with sesame seeds. The drink features a good dose of sweet potato flavor, and is topped with black sesame seeds and a drizzle of syrup.

Available 9/23 - 10/31

Donuts are the perfect canvas for weird cream flavors and silly decorations, so it's no surprise that more than one donut shop in Japan is getting in on the fall sweet potato fun. The Krispy Kreme Muchi Mochi Purple Sweet Potato Mont Blanc Donut has a name that's quite a mouthful, but a bite of the actual donut will feature an especially chewy dough, topped with mont-blanc-style strings of sweet potato frosting, and powdered-sugar-coated chunks of sweet potato.

Available 9/16 - 11/1

This year, Mister Donut is going for a less cutesy, more flavor-focused sweet potato donut, their "Satsumaimo-do," which literally means "sweet potato do(nut)." The donut itself is infused with multiple varieties of sweet potato flour, and toppings include purple sweet potato frosting, sweet potato fry-bits, and daigakuimo-style glaze. If you really love sweet potatoes, these donuts are for you. They suggest warming them before digging in for an even more delicious experience.

Available 9/4 - 11/?

The term "mitsuimo" refers to Japanese sweet potatoes that have such high sugar content that, when baked and sliced open, they just about overflow with a natural sweet potato syrup. This Haagen-Dazs ice cream attempts to replecate that luscious roast sweet potato experience in chilled form by taking their sweet potato ice cream and swirling in a sauce and chunks of popular "beni-haruka" (紅はるか) sweet potato.

Not just one, or two, but at least three different tapioca bubble tea chains around Japan are getting in on the fall trend this year. Chun Shui Tang is offering a refined Sweet Potato Milk Tea (left), made with "fragrant" sweet potato and topped with whipped cream and sweet potato chips. (Available 9/16~) Tapista's twist on the flavor comes in two versions (center): a Japanese-style smoothie topped with sweet potato karinto, and a creamy Western-style drink finished with a layer of sweet potato mont blanc (similar to the Krispy Kreme donut). (Available 9/9~) Coco is going even further with the concept, and instead of mixing in special syrups or toppings, they're changing up the tapioca pearls themselves (right)! For a limited time, their QQ line of drinks is replacing the black balls of tapioca with orange and pale purple versions, made with sweet potato and taro respectively. Not only do they have a fun new flavor, but the sweet potato pearls are sure to be an insta-bae hit on social media. (Available 9/18~)

Had enough of all the sweet potato syrups, creams, frostings, and crumbles? The sweet potato mille crepe at reasonably-priced Japanese coffee chain Doutor is topped with a satisfying pile of real sweet potato chunks. Of course, spread between the thin crepes that make up the body of the cake is a custard cream infused with sweet potato, as well.

Available 10/1~