Most people love a good cup of coffee and it is an important part of their day. In Japan, you can find coffee everywhere, in many forms. The most convenient type is canned coffee which you can buy in vending machines, convenience stores, and supermarkets. They usually are available in steel cans with a pull tab, but sometimes come in an aluminum bottle with a twist off cap. The standard can size is 185 grams which is equivalent to a small cup.
There are a half dozen major manufacturers within Japan. The most popular brands are Georgia (Coca Cola), BOSS (Suntory), and Fire (Asahi.) Each company releases colorful and uniquely shaped cans that contain different blends. The basic is BLACK which is just that... no calories as there is no sugar or milk added. Other offerings include Cafe Au Lait, Regular Blend, Strong Blend, Extra Caffeine, Low Sugar etc... The sweetness and creaminess level varies depending on the type. At napaJapan we carry many varieties!
You can drink these hot or cold. To heat, place the entire sealed can in a pot of hot (not boiling) water, for a few minutes. The steel can transfers the heat to the coffee very quickly. In most Japanese stores they have a small hot cabinet where you can select hot canned coffee from. The vending machines have both hot and cold options too! I find that the taste difference between brands is hard to distinguish but they are all very tasty. The cool can designs add to the drinking experience.
The Japanese have been drinking canned coffee for nearly a half century but only recently we have seen world brands enter the fold such as Starbucks and Tully's. It seems that the packaging is the main selling point and the colorful cans back this theory up. Many companies even attach free cheap gifts to the top of the cans or bottles. I once collected pull-back Mario Cart mini car toys from a bunch of cans many years ago.
Now that Japanese convenience stores have added self-serve brewed coffee machines to their line-up, the canned coffee market has taken a big hit. Freshly brewed coffee does taste more authentic but it isn't as portable and convenient. Let's hope this special canned coffee market continues to thrive and new releases and taste appear for years to come!
Please check out the coffee selection we offer HERE.
Thank you for always considering napaJapan for your Japanese candy, snacks, and treats. We list new products weekly!
