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[ NEW TASTES ]

Green tea blend benefits uke fest

Starbucks' new Tazo Green Tea Frappuccino, available through Sept. 12, is a blend of green tea, melon flavoring and cream. Those who like more or less tea or melon flavor order the adjustments made.

The frappuccino is already a popular cold drink in Taiwan and Singapore, where it was introduced in 2001 -- likewise in Japan and other parts of Asia.

Free samples have been available at many Starbucks locations and various special events all month.

Grab a taste from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Sunday at the Starbucks Ukulele Festival at the Waikiki Bandstand. Special tall (12-ounce) sizes will be sold for $2 with all the proceeds benefiting the Ukulele Festival.

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[ GADGETS ]

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Tool makes natto eating nicer

Natto eaters take notice. A new utensil is available that promises to increase the slime quality of the infamous fermented soybeans. Why would you want to bring out more slime? To repulse those around you even further? To challenge your "Fear Factor" skills? Or perhaps you just love dining alone.

The Japanese-made quirky gadget is called Natto Friend and is used to mix the beans over and over to release the slimy goo that covers them.

Actually, the tool, which resembles a cross between a plastic rice paddle and a musical tuning fork, was developed because it is believed that natto's slime holds much of its nutritional value.

It is also designed to make eating and picking up the beans easier. The small bumps prevent the beans from sliding off and the two indentations act as mini scoopers. The Natto Friend is available at Marukai for about $2.