Japanese beverage innovations, November/​December 2009

Ito en has launched a slightly carbonated pink drink made with domestically grown ginger extract and apple vinegar. It contains 1,000mg of Vitamin C and 84 kcal per 450ml bottle. The PET bottle is made by Toyo Seikan.

Japan Tobacco’s Safari drinks has released this slightly carbonated zero calorie mix of ginger ale and grapefruit juice. The PET bottle is made by Yoshino Kogyosho.

Japan Tobacco have launched Kajitsutaikan Kuzushi Aka Budo, which contains 10% grape juice, cut pieces of grape and crushed jelly with 26 kcal per 100g. It is sold in a widemouthed aluminium bottle by Takeuchi Press Kogyo.

Nihon Milk Community has launched a drinking yogurt with Lactobacillus gasseri SBT2055. It is non-​fat with no sugar, containing 43 kcal and is sold in 110ml plastic bottles. Produced by Luna Bassan.

This drinkable low fat yogurt from Nihon Milk Community has 40g vegetable juice from carrots and eight other vegetables. Containing 20% juice content, each 190g carton has 139 kcal.

The result of a collaboration between Pokka, responsible for manufacturing and Meiji Confectionary, which looks after sales — CocoPresso targets 30–35 year old males. It combines cocoa and espresso and contains 41 kcal per 100g.

Coca-​Cola Japan has released a ‘black’ oolong-​based blend tea aimed specifically at males from 30–40 years. It is designed to be drunk in the morning and is sold in both 500ml and 280ml PET bottles.