Introducing Minimal's Limited Spring Chocolate Cake Featuring ZENBEI Farm's Ripe Lemons

A Taste of Spring: Minimal's Zesty Lemon Chocolate Cake

As the cherry blossoms bloom and the days grow warm, Minimal - Bean to Bar Chocolate - is ready to lift spirits with a delightful springtime offering. Launching on April 1, 2026, this special limited-edition cake, aptly named "Gâteau Chocolat Soft - Lemon," will be available exclusively at three locations: Yoyogi Uehara, Azabudai Hills, and Sengawa.

A Vibrant Culinary Experience

Upon opening the box, the fresh scent of lemons fills the air, instantly lifting your mood. This cake beautifully showcases the exquisite combination of ZENBEI Farm's ripe lemons and fruity chocolate, making a stunningly simple yet flavorful dessert. The star ingredient, the wood-ripened lemons from Wakayama's ZENBEI Farm, are skillfully blended into the cake batter, while the fruity chocolate ganache brims with lemon flavor, culminating in a visually appealing dessert crowned with dry lemon slices and edible flowers.

Each bite reveals the refreshing tartness of lemon melding harmoniously with the rich, deep nuances of cacao, striking the perfect balance between lightness and complexity. Its elegant presentation makes it an ideal gift for loved ones, ensuring any spring occasion is made even more special.

A Commitment to Craftsmanship

The unique lemons sourced from ZENBEI Farm are harvested around late March. These lemons are known for their invigorating scent and flavor. When left to mature on the tree throughout the winter, their sweetness develops, yielding a bolder taste profile. Minimal incorporates these special lemons into their cake and ganache, ensuring that the zesty essence bursts forth in every slice. The batter is infused with fresh lemon juice, and lemon peel is dried and powdered for added flavor intensity.

The ganache features Peruvian cacao renowned for its fruity notes reminiscent of apples and berries, enhancing the spring-themed cake. This chocolate's sweetness wonderfully complements the lemon's acidity. The cake boasts two layers of chocolate coating: a caramel-like blond chocolate and velvety white chocolate, adding a complex sweetness that brightens the sour notes of lemon.

Pricing and Availability

- Price: ¥3,990 (tax included)
- Release Date: April 1, 2026
- Sales Period: Expected until the end of May 2026
- Availability: Yoyogi Uehara, Azabudai Hills, and Sengawa stores

About the Artisan Team at Minimal

The master chocolatiers at Minimal dedicate themselves to crafting high-quality chocolates using meticulously selected cacao beans sourced from around the globe. With a philosophy that emphasizes simplicity, they aim to highlight the ingredients' natural flavors and aromas. Their talented team, featuring pastry chefs and chocolatiers who honed their skills at Michelin-starred restaurants and top pâtisseries, collaborates closely to create unique chocolate experiences.

Founded with a mission to support sustainable cacao farming, Minimal works directly with farmers, engaging in research and development to enhance the quality of cacao and increase its value. They aim for a self-sustaining cacao economy while ensuring fair and ethical practices within the industry. In 2019, Minimal participated in a JICA ODA project investigating cacao in Nicaragua to strengthen these efforts.

The brand's commitment to excellence has been recognized with 103 awards over a decade at international competitions. Their philosophy is rooted in tradition, yet embraces innovative approaches to enrich customers' lives with memorable chocolate that they will long to savor again.

Minimal Store Locations

Each store features a café space where guests can enjoy coffee, chocolates, and parfaits:

- Minimal Tomigaya Main Store

Address: 2-1-9 Tomigaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Access: 6-minute walk from Yoyogi Hachiman Station (Odakyu Line)
Hours: 11:30 AM - 7:00 PM (last orders at 6:30 PM)
Closed: No holidays

- Minimal The Baking Yoyogi Uehara

Address: 1-34-5 Uehara, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Access: 2-minute walk from Yoyogi Uehara Station
Hours: 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Closed: No holidays

- Patisserie Minimal Soshigaya-Okra

Address: 8-8-24 Kinuta, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo
Access: 3-minute walk from Soshigaya-Okra Station (Odakyu Line, South Exit)
Hours: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Closed: Irregular

- Minimal The Specialty Azabudai Hills

Address: 5-8-1 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Access: Directly connected to Kamiyacho Station (Hibiya Line, Exit 5)
Hours: 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Closed: No holidays

- Minimal The Edition Sengawa (Opening on March 28, 2026)

Address: 3-1-17 Sengawa-cho, Chofu City, Tokyo
Access: 2-minute walk from Sengawa Station (Keio Line)
Hours: 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Closed: No holidays

Company Overview: βace Inc.

- Company Name: βace Inc.
- CEO: Takashi Yamashita
- Location: Urban Terrace 21, 2-1-9 Tomigaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 151-0063
- Employees: 40 (including part-time staff)
- Business: Production and sale of chocolate products, operation of the specialty chocolate shop "Minimal - Bean to Bar Chocolate -"