This is the Coca-Cola Ayataka Cafe Kyūsu Kōhī Latte Hōjicha x Coffee. It was crafted in collaboration with Kyōto’s well-established tea shop, ‘Uebayashi Harumatsu Honten,’ and the specialty coffee shop, ‘Sarutahiko Kōhī.’ As part of the Ayataka Cafe range, this tea was produced using Japanese tea leaves, paying close attention to the brewing process inspired by the traditional method of making Japanese tea in a teapot. Matcha composed of 37% of the beverage.

The drink had an opaque tan hue and emitted a sweet yet subdued aroma reminiscent of coffee-flavored milk chocolate. When consumed chilled, the hōjicha notes took the forefront with their roasted aroma along with a well-balanced sweetness that accentuated the hōjicha quality. The hōjicha flavour occupied the first half of the sip, followed by the emergence of darker coffee notes in the latter part. This phase introduced a subtle cereal-like quality with the faintest hint of bitterness, which, combined with the sweetness of hōjicha, delivered a subtle cocoa flavour in the finish. Overall, it was a well-balanced beverage with a smooth, velvety mouthfeel that offered a unique fusion of hōjicha and coffee, a novel experience for us, resulting in a rich and enjoyable flavour without an overwhelming dairy presence.

This Coca-Cola Ayataka Cafe Kyūsu Kōhī Hōjicha x Coffee contained 280 mL. It was produced in Japan and purchased in Sydney, Australia in 2023.