# Cold Soup Smoothies 7-Eleven Japan's New Smoothies Share Nourishing, Savory Meals in a Cup By Laura McQuarrie | Published 2026-07-31 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cold-soup-smoothies References: [soranews24](https://soranews24.com/2026/07/31/7-eleven-japan-adds-new-cold-soup-smoothies-to-its-convenience-store-drinks-range/)  Since 2024, [7-Eleven](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/springtime-beverage-lineup) has had smoothie machines in thousands of its stores across Japan, and beyond blended beverages made with coffee and matcha, the convenience chain recently introduced [Cold Soup](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cookies-n-peanut-butter-ice-cream-taco) Smoothies. Like 7-Eleven's other smoothies, the new Cold Soup Smoothies are sold frozen, in cups with chopped ingredients that are ready to blend on-site at customer-operated machines. To create each Cold Soup Smoothie, 7-Eleven worked with experts to support regenerative food practices that prevent edible by-products from going to waste. The Grilled Corn Smoothie, for instance, features fermented rice bran developed by [Fermenstation](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kombu-fermenstation), which makes use of a rice milling by-product for added gut health benefits. The Fruit Gazpacho Smoothie, inspired by a Spanish-style recipe, matches cherry tomatoes with paprika and watermelon juice blended with whole lemons. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 7.4/10 - Popularity: 75% | Activity: 63% | Freshness: 84% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Drinking](https://www.trendhunter.com/drinking) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Savory Smoothie Meals:** Convenience formats are expanding beyond sweet beverages as chilled, blended soups turn quick-service drinks into portable meal replacements with broader daypart potential. - **Upcycled Functional Ingredients:** Food brands are embedding by-products like fermented rice bran into mainstream offerings, creating premium nutrition narratives around waste reduction and digestive wellness. - **Self-serve Blending Retail:** Automated in-store smoothie machines are reshaping convenience retail by combining frozen inventory efficiency with freshly prepared customization at the point of sale. ### Where This Applies - **Convenience Retail:** Store chains are gaining new differentiation through compact foodservice systems that deliver freshly blended meals without full kitchen infrastructure. - **Functional Foods:** Gut health, fermentation, and regenerative sourcing are converging in everyday convenience products, signaling room for more accessible wellness-driven meal formats. - **Food Waste Innovation:** Ingredient developers are finding commercial value in edible processing by-products, linking sustainability claims with flavor, texture, and nutritional enhancement. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Beauty Brand Ice Cream Makers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/frost-x-huda-beauty.md) - [Chicken Protein Smoothies](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chicken-smoothie.md) - [Refreshing Citrus Protein Smoothies](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/proteinmaxxing-lemonade.md) - [Brain-Enhancing MCT Powders](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/brain-octane.md) - [Handcrafted Sandwich Expansions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/handcrafted-sandwich.md) - [Ultra-Filtered Protein Milks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ultra-filtered-protein-milk.md) - [Limited-Time Spicy Wrap Menus](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tiki-torch-wrap.md) - [Self-Service Smoothie Stations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/smoodi.md) - [Kid-Friendly Vacation Meals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/villa-bites.md)