Recipes | July 15, 2025 | C. Yu

A Toasty Twist: Sobacha Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe

Sobacha, or roasted buckwheat tea, is loved not only for its comforting aroma and nutty flavor but also for its versatility in the kitchen. In this recipe, we’re bringing the earthy warmth of sobacha into a classic treat: vanilla ice cream. Whether you're feeling adventurous or simply want a quick way to elevate your dessert, we've included two variations—traditional and effortless—for enjoying this unique combination.

Why Sobacha?

Sobacha is naturally caffeine-free and full of wholesome goodness. When roasted, buckwheat kernels develop a toasty, slightly sweet aroma with notes reminiscent of caramelized nuts and smell like popcorn. It’s no surprise that sobacha pairs beautifully with creamy desserts like vanilla ice cream, balancing sweetness with depth and warmth.

Traditional Sobacha Vanilla Ice Cream (No-Churn)

This recipe infuses sobacha directly into the cream, giving the ice cream a deeply toasty, nutty undertone throughout every bite.

Ingredients:

1 ½ cups heavy cream
1 cup milk of choice
½ cup granulated sugar
⅓ cup Senbird Sobacha
1 tsp vanilla extract
Pinch of salt

Instructions:

Infuse the Milk: In a saucepan, bring the milk to a gentle simmer. Add sobacha and steep on low heat for 10 minutes. Turn off heat and let it sit for another 10 minutes for maximum flavor.
Strain & Cool: Strain out the sobacha kernels using a fine mesh strainer. Let the infused milk cool completely.
Whip the Cream: In a mixing bowl, whip the heavy cream until soft peaks form.
Mix & Freeze: Gently fold in the cooled sobacha-infused milk, sugar, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Pour into a container and freeze for at least 6 hours or overnight.
Serve: Scoop and serve with a sprinkle of whole sobacha kernels for texture and visual charm. Enjoy immediately!

Effortless Version: Vanilla Ice Cream with Sobacha Topping

No time to make ice cream from scratch? You can still enjoy the magic of sobacha with this quick and delightful twist.

Instructions:

Scoop Vanilla Ice Cream: Use your favorite store-bought or homemade vanilla ice cream.
Top with Sobacha: Sprinkle Senbird Sobacha kernels generously over the top like nutty sprinkles.
Optional Drizzle: Add a drizzle of honey or kuromitsu, a Japanese sugar syrup, for a more authentic Japanese dessert experience.

A Moment in Every Scoop

Whether you slowly steep sobacha into cream or simply sprinkle it over your dessert, this recipe brings out the harmony between tradition and simplicity. It’s a moment to appreciate warmth, balance, and joy during the warmer months, just as every cup of tea offers.

Let us know if you try this at home or add your own creative spin. We’d love to hear how sobacha adds flavor to your moments.