Available in two varieties, the sweet fillings aren’t entirely unhealthy, as they contain anko, a sweet red bean paste made from adzuki beans, which are packed with protein, fiber, complex carbs and antioxidants. The bean paste is also packed with sugar but that’s something that’s often overlooked, given that it’s loaded with so many health benefits.

The two new sweet sandwiches coming our way include the Tsubuan (coarse sweet red bean paste), which retails for 130 yen (US$1.20). This item contains a red bean paste made using small red beans from Hokkaido, an area renowned for its high-quality adzuki. The beans are carefully cooked so that the paste retains just the right amount of coarseness, and the sweet paste is then sandwiched in a between a fluffy white bread roll.

The second sweet sandwich in the lineup is the Anko and Mascarpone (170 yen), which contains the same red bean paste as the Tsubuan, but adds a generous dollop of mascarpone on top. This combination of ingredients is said to create a sweet yet tart and refreshing flavor, all brought together nicely with the soft white bread that encases it.

Subway is clearly attempting to capture the afternoon teatime market with their new sweet sandwich offerings, as the two menu items will only be available after 2 p.m. each day. The new sandwiches go on sale at Subway branches across Japan from October 9.

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