# Global surge in cold food and beverage trends > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/german-ice-cream-market-faces-rising-scrutiny-over-additives-and-plantbased-flavors > Updated: 2026-08-22T14:55:37.000Z. Sources: 63. Developments: 22. The cold‑food wave that began in late May 2026 with the additive‑free deep‑blue “Europa” ice‑cream in Leimen has continued to expand across cuisines and markets. In Japan, the trend has intensified through significant product innovations. On July 20, Nissin Foods launched its “Hiyashi Cup Noodle” line, featuring “Spicy Kimchi” and “Chicken Salt Lemon” flavors. Using a patented “Cold Rehydrate Method,” these noodles soften in five minutes using only chilled water (5–10°C) and explicitly prohibit hot water for safety. The product has seen rapid success, with high demand leading to online sell-outs; consumers have even noted that mixing the two flavors creates a unique third flavor profile. While popular among older male consumers, Nissin has stated no plans to export this specific line outside Japan. Nissin has also expanded its portfolio with the July 26 launch of “Curry Misokine” products, including a cup noodle with large potato pieces and a “Curry Misokine Meshi” cup‑rice option. Other Japanese developments include Marugame Seimen’s summer cold udon menu and various “staff‑style” quick-cook summer recipes from Kyoto chefs. As the season shifts, Nissin Foods Frozen is preparing for an autumn and winter push to enter a “Frozen 3.0” era. On September 1, the company plans to launch nine new products and six renewals, including a Kyoto-style back-fat soy sauce ramen. Simultaneously, FamilyMart is expanding its frozen offerings with a new “Famimaru KITCHEN” garlic rice. Globally, the trend persists with North American interest in frozen blended drinks. Rich Products’ f’real brand introduced a high-tech connected blender and new summer flavors, including an Orange Creamsicle Milkshake and a non‑dairy frozen lemonade. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-22: Nissin Foods launches cold-water instant noodles Nissin Foods has released “Hiyashi Cup Noodle,” a new instant noodle line that prepares in five minutes using only cold water. The product sold out within a week of its July 2026 launch. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nissin-foods-launches-cold-water-instant-noodles ### 2026-08-21: Nissin Foods and FamilyMart expand frozen food offerings Nissin Foods Frozen and FamilyMart are expanding their frozen food offerings in Japan, focusing on high-value products and new flavors to meet consumer demand. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nissin-foods-and-familymart-expand-frozen-food-offerings ### 2026-08-12: Nissin Foods releases cold-water rehydratable Cup Noodles Nissin Foods released ‘Hiyashi Cup Noodle’ in Japan, featuring a patented cold-water rehydration method. The popular flavors include Spicy Kimchi and Chicken Salt Lemon. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nissin-foods-releases-cold-water-rehydratable-cup-noodles ### 2026-08-06: Nissin introduces Curry Misokine cup noodles in Japan Nissin launched two Curry Misokine products on July 26, 2026: a ¥299 cup noodle and a ¥328 cup‑rice, both featuring white miso‑curry broth and large potato pieces. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nissin-introduces-curry-misokine-cup-noodles-in-japan ### 2026-08-02: Nissin Foods Chilled and Tablemark Roll Out New Frozen Noodle Lines for 2026 Nissin Foods Chilled and Tablemark are launching expanded frozen‑noodle ranges for Japan's 2026 autumn‑winter season, targeting younger buyers and busy households with new flavors, collaborations, and microwave 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nissin-foods-chilled-and-tablemark-roll-out-new-frozen-noodle-lines-for-2026 ### 2026-07-30: Nissin Foods' Cold Cup Noodle Gains Rapid Market Share in Japan Nissin Foods' Cold Cup Noodle, a cold‑water‑only instant ramen launched on July 20, boosted its brand share from 7.6% to 12.3% and lifted overall cup‑noodle sales 15% in Japan within a week. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nissin-foods-cold-cup-noodle-gains-rapid-market-share-in-japan ### 2026-07-24: Nissin launches Japan's first cold‑water cup noodle, no overseas sales planned Nissin unveiled Japan's first cold‑water cup noodle, a five‑minute soak product with two flavours, priced slightly higher, and not slated for export amid rising summer heat. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nissin-launches-japans-first-coldwater-cup-noodle-no-overseas-sales-planned ### 2026-07-20: Nissin launches first cold‑water only Cup Noodles in Japan Nissin released two cold‑water only Cup Noodles (kimchi and chicken‑lemon) on 20 July, using patented tech to hydrate noodles in chilled water. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nissin-launches-first-coldwater-only-cup-noodles-in-japan ### 2026-07-17: Nissin launches cold‑water “Cold‑Rehydrate” cup noodle for summer Nissin's new Cold‑Rehydrate cup noodle, developed over five years, can be made in five minutes with chilled water, debuting 20 July 2026 in spicy kimchi and chicken‑lemon flavors. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/nissin-launches-coldwater-coldrehydrate-cup-noodle-for-summer ### 2026-07-17: Rich Products launches new high‑tech blender and summer frozen drink flavors Rich Products unveiled a connected blender for restaurants and added two summer frozen drinks—Orange Creamsicle Milkshake and non‑dairy lemon‑ade—catering to rising consumer demand for customizable frozen blurs 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/rich-products-launches-new-hightech-blender-and-summer-frozen-drink-flavors ### 2026-07-15: Marugame Seimen rolls out summer cold udon menu with new TV ad Marugame Seimen introduced a summer line of cold udon, including sea‑food and neba‑toro versions, promoted by Aya Ueto in a new TV commercial airing from July 21 across Japan. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/marugame-seimen-rolls-out-summer-cold-udon-menu-with-new-tv-ad ### 2026-07-15: Japanese chefs showcase easy meat‑miso topping and quick‑cook noodle recipes Japanese guides feature a coarse‑ground meat miso topping for cold noodles and a set of quick, chef‑inspired summer recipes—including tomato pork udon, egg sandwich, Shanghai yakisoba and Cantonese fried rice—s 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/japanese-chefs-showcase-easy-meatmiso-topping-and-quickcook-noodle-recipes ### 2026-07-03: Japan's Kura Sushi and Tokuzuru Maru unveil new summer food products Kura Sushi starts a summer eel‑tuna menu on June 26, while Tokuzuru Maru rolls out six fish‑mayo condiments nationwide, both in Japan. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/japans-kura-sushi-and-tokuzuru-maru-unveil-new-summer-food-products ### 2026-06-29: Summer kitchen trends: ice‑cream makers and grape recipes Home ice‑cream makers and fresh California grape recipes are promoted as easy, refreshing options for summer cooking and entertaining. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/summer-kitchen-trends-icecream-makers-and-grape-recipes ### 2026-06-29: Japanese eateries debut limited-time cold noodle dishes for summer Dootonbori Kamiza serves a chilled ramen with ice and specialty broth until Sep 17, while Tokyo’s JigeMon offers a cold chanpon‑style noodle dish until Sep 30, both as summer limited‑time menus. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/japanese-eateries-debut-limited-time-cold-noodle-dishes-for-summer ### 2026-06-27: Summer Ice Cream Trends: Watercolor Tutorials and Slushie Machine Sale Online posts showcase summer ice‑cream ideas: a watercolor tutorial series and a discounted slushie‑maker sale for making frozen drinks at home. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/summer-ice-cream-trends-watercolor-tutorials-and-slushie-machine-sale ### 2026-06-24: Cold drinks gain popularity in France and Pakistan Iced coffee sales soar year‑round in France while flavored water spikes over 110 % during Pakistani heat waves, reflecting a broader shift toward convenient, chilled drinks. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cold-drinks-gain-popularity-in-france-and-pakistan ### 2026-06-24: Summer Food, Drink and Lifestyle Trends Drive New Products and Health Tips Summer brings dental sensitivity from cold foods, new beverage ideas, heatwave‑friendly diets, Turkish stretchy ice cream, UV‑blocking umbrellas, Dairy Queen World‑Cup Blizzards, 80s soda nostalgia, and Vitamix 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/1980s-discontinued-sodas-and-new-vitamix-summer-recipes-spotlight-beverage-trends ### 2026-06-24: Cold Noodle Dishes Popular Worldwide in Summer Cold noodle dishes—from Japanese soba and udon to Korean somen, Vietnamese bún chả and Italian pasta fredda—are served chilled with light sauces and fresh toppings, offering a quick, refreshing meal for hot,湿夏. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cold-noodle-dishes-popular-worldwide-in-summer ### 2026-06-14: Cold Food Trends Surge as Summer Heat Intensifies Worldwide Global heat drives a surge in cold, hydrating foods and no‑cook meals, while Evanston, US, sees a boom in ice‑cream and gelato shops catering to summer cooling needs. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cold-food-trends-surge-as-summer-heat-intensifies-worldwide ### 2026-05-19: Vegetable Ice Creams and Frozen Hugo Spritz Spark New Icy Food Trends Chefs roll out vegetable ice creams while the Frozen Hugo Spritz becomes the new summer cocktail; consumers warned about hidden ice‑cream additives. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/german-ice-cream-shops-under-scrutiny-as-veggie-flavored-scoops-rise ### 2026-05-11: Leimen unveils blue 'Europa' ice cream amid consumer warnings on additives Leimen debuts blue 'Europa' ice cream while consumers are warned about hidden additives in ice‑cream shops. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/leimen-unveils-blue-europa-ice-cream-amid-consumer-warnings-on-additives --- Cite as: Global surge in cold food and beverage trends. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/german-ice-cream-market-faces-rising-scrutiny-over-additives-and-plantbased-flavors