Asahi Group Foods Proposes 'Ice Miso Soup Bowl' to Combat 2026 Summer Heat Issues

Asahi Group Foods, Ltd. (Headquarters: Tokyo; President: Hiroshi Kawahara) and its freeze-dried food brand 'Amano Foods' will propose a new way to enjoy freeze-dried miso soup called 'Ice Miso Soup Bowl' in the summer of 2026 as a solution to summer dietary challenges.

Starting May 18, web videos titled 'Ice Miso Soup Bowl in Hot Summer' and 'How to Make Ice Miso Soup Bowl' will be broadcast on the official YouTube channel.

### Survey on 'Summer Eating Habits'
The Japan Meteorological Agency officially announced on April 17, 2026, that days with maximum temperatures of 40°C or higher will be called 'Kokusho-bi' (extreme heat days). Record heat is expected throughout the 2026 summer.

According to a survey of 2,931 instant miso soup users conducted in April 2026:
- Over 70% have experienced summer fatigue, with symptoms like sluggishness, fatigue, and loss of appetite.
- Concerns during summer include food hygiene/poisoning, reluctance to cook in a hot kitchen, and nutritional imbalance.
- Many people stop eating instant miso soup in summer because they 'don't want to eat hot things' or 'lack the habit.'

### Amano Foods Proposes 'Ice Miso Soup Bowl'!
To address these challenges, Amano Foods proposes chilling freeze-dried miso soup with ice and pouring it over rice.

Features of 'Ice Miso Soup Bowl':
- **Convenience**: Ready in just 1 minute without using fire, a key advantage of freeze-dried foods.
- **Health**: Provides essential hydration and salt for the summer.
- **Satisfaction**: Amano Foods' ingredients provide a satisfying texture. Chilling makes the ingredients and rice firm, creating a refreshing texture perfect for summer.

### How to Make 'Ice Miso Soup Bowl' (1 serving)
**Ingredients**:
- 'Itsumo no Miso-shiru Nasu' (Eggplant): 1 pack
- Hot water: 50ml
- Ice: 90g (about 13 household ice cubes)
- Rice: 120g

**Directions**:
1. Pour hot water into the miso soup and stir to reconstitute. Prepare rice in a separate bowl.
2. Add ice and stir gently to chill thoroughly.
3. Pour the chilled miso soup over the rice.

### Key Highlights
1. **Refreshing Summer Flavor**: Chilling with ice firms up the rice and ingredients, providing a perfect texture for summer.
2. **Satisfying Ingredient Texture**: The eggplant is pre-fried before freeze-drying, offering a juicy texture and deep umami.
3. **Perfect Miso and Dashi Blend**: The blend is carefully selected to match the ingredients. The eggplant version uses a miso that enhances its sweetness.
4. **Retained Nutrition**: The freeze-drying process preserves heat-sensitive nutrients like Vitamin C.
5. **Hydration and Salt Replenishment**: A delicious way to stay healthy during the summer.