Canned coffee facts for kids
Canned coffee is a popular drink that comes ready-made in a can. You can find it in many places, especially in countries like Japan and South Korea. It's sold in different styles and made by many companies. You can buy canned coffee in supermarkets and convenience stores. Many cans are also sold in vending machines. These machines offer hot cans in autumn and winter, and cold cans in warmer months.
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The Story of Canned Coffee
Canned coffee was first invented in Japan. The Japanese term for it, kan kōhī, actually means "can coffee" in English.
A company called UCC Ueshima Coffee Co. is famous in Japan. They were pioneers in making canned coffee with milk in 1969. Before that, in 1965, a drink called Mira Coffee appeared in Shimane Prefecture, Japan. Some say it was the world's first canned coffee, but it didn't last long.
A big step forward happened in 1973. That's when Pokka Coffee introduced vending machines that could sell drinks both hot and cold. By 1983, companies were shipping over 100 million cases of canned coffee!
Over time, the way coffee cans looked changed a lot. The first cans had simple designs. Later, cans with straight sides appeared. Now, most cans have a more modern shape. Most canned coffee uses steel cans. Aluminum coffee cans are not very common, but UCC Black is one example.
Who Makes Canned Coffee?
Many big Japanese companies make canned coffee. These include beer, soda, and other drink companies. Here are some of the most popular brands:
- Boss Coffee (made by Suntory)
- Fire (Kirin Beverage)
- Dydo
- Georgia (from Coca-Cola of Japan)
- Nescafe
- Roots (now owned by Suntory)
- Wonda (Asahi)
Other brands include Kissui, Itoen, Sangaria, Coffee Time, BG, and Cafe La Mode. Sometimes, bigger companies even make special versions of their coffee just for certain regions.
Different Kinds of Canned Coffee
There are many different types of canned coffee in Japan. Most companies offer a variety of choices.
- Milk coffee is very common. It usually has milk and is quite sweet.
- Black coffee is also popular.
- You can find low sugar (error: {{nihongo}}: Japanese or romaji text required (help)) options.
- Cafe au lait and milk coffee without sugar are also available.
- Sometimes, companies offer special flavors like hazelnut, but these are rare.
- Seasonal coffees are also made. For example, iced coffee often appears during the summer.
Many coffee types are sold so you can enjoy them either hot or cold.
Can Sizes and Designs
The first UCC can held 250 ml of coffee. In the 1970s, smaller 190 ml cans appeared. Both of these sizes are still common today. The size of the can doesn't usually tell you what flavor it is. However, iced coffee cans are often shorter and wider, holding 280 ml.
Larger American-sized (350 ml) cans are very rare. But Dydo makes one called "American Coffee" that size. Some cans are shaped like barrels, which are quite popular. Roots coffee has a unique "waist-shaped" can as part of its marketing.
In recent years, a new type of can has appeared. It has a twist-off cap, making it easy to open and close. Many companies now offer at least one of their coffees in this kind of container.
Commemorative cans are also very common in Japan. These are special cans made for big events. You might see them for things like the Tokyo Motor Show, sports teams, sporting events, or even popular manga characters.
Canned Coffee on TV
Boss Coffee uses famous actor Tommy Lee Jones in their TV commercials. Since 2006, Jones has appeared in over 30 TV ads for Boss. He plays a character called "Alien Jones."
