Product Development
Mt. RAINIER CAFFÈ LATTE
Appreciated for over a quarter of a centuryHistory of the pioneering efforts to develop chilled coffee beverages in cups
Authentic taste of coffee
– convenient & easy to drink
– for the first time in Japan
In the early 1990s, when the development of Mt. RAINIER CAFFÈ LATTE began, coffee shops were the main outlets for coffee in Japan. Cafe au lait and American-style coffee were common. In the RTD* market for coffee, there were only drinks such as coffee-flavored milk and canned coffee which were popularly consumed after taking a bath. Inspired by caffè latte, which was a blend of steamed milk and espresso coffee popular at the time mainly in Seattle on the west coast of North America, Morinaga Milk started a project to create a new style, easy-to-drink and easy-to-hold coffee beverages. In 1993, we launched Mt. RAINIER CAFFÈ LATTE, a chilled coffee drink in a plastic cup.
*RTD (Ready to Drink): A pre-packaged beverage that can be consumed immediately after opening.
Mt. RAINIER CAFFÈ LATTE at the time of its release in 1993. Types: Mild (on the left); Bitter (on the right)
In 1985, we launched Japan's first chilled cup beverage produced by a long-life manufacturing method already used to manufacture Morinaga Milk’s cup-type beverages.
At that time, however, the essential component - espresso coffee -, which had originated in Italy, had not yet become popular among the general public in Japan. It was therefore necessary to start marketing the product by educating customers about consuming espresso coffee with milk. In other words, we needed to introduce the concept of caffè latte.
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Morinaga Milk’s unique long-life manufacturing method
If you look at the expiration date of Morinaga Milk products, you will see that some products have a shelf life of more than one month. Many of these products are manufactured in sterile conditions and are made possible by our unique long-life manufacturing method. The long-life manufacturing method is a technology that sterilizes food and their containers separately, without using preservatives or antiseptic agents, and achieves both deliciousness and long shelf life. Currently, this production method is used to produce various Morinaga Milk products such as milk, soft drinks, desserts, and liquid foods. The long-life manufacturing method reduces food waste in the home and provides products that are convenient for keeping on hand in the event of disasters or other emergencies.
Multi-layered cup for Mt. RAINIER CAFFÈ LATTE
Mt. RAINIER CAFFÈ LATTE is packaged in multi-layered plastic cups with high barrier properties that ensure a shelf life of at least two months. It is possible to extend the expiration date of the product by filling the heat-sterilized caffè latte in an aseptic environment into plastic cups with such multi-layered barriers as doing so prevents oxygen permeation.
Mt. RAINIER CAFFÈ LATTE is packaged in multi-layered plastic cups with high barrier properties that ensure a shelf life of at least two months. It is possible to extend the expiration date of the product by filling the heat-sterilized caffè latte in an aseptic environment into plastic cups with such multi-layered barriers as doing so prevents oxygen permeation. In addition, by replacing oxygen in the headspace with nitrogen then filling and sealing, flavor deterioration due to oxidation is suppressed. Consumers can enjoy the product without losing the flavor of high quality ingredients.
In addition, by replacing oxygen in the headspace with nitrogen then filling and sealing, flavor deterioration due to oxidation is suppressed. Consumers can enjoy the product without losing the flavor of high quality ingredients.
Morinaga Milk’s commitment to make Mt. RAINIER CAFFÈ LATTE taste like hand-brewed coffee
～Focus on manufacturing method～
At the time our Mt. RAINIER CAFFÈ LATTE was being developed, popular canned coffee was mainly produced by the retort sterilizing method. Retort sterilization is a method in which milk and coffee are mixed, sealed in a container, and then pressurized and heat sterilized. Due to the harsh sterilization conditions, it was difficult to maintain the original flavors of the milk and coffee. On the other hand, we adopted the ultra-high temperature sterilization (UHT) method to minimize the effect of heating on the flavor of the ingredients. In addition, we developed our own original after-blend manufacturing method*, which sterilizes the milk and coffee separately, then mixes and fills them in a tank giving us a beverage which is as close as possible to the delicious hand-brewed coffee you drink at a coffee shop. Objective aroma analysis and sensory evaluation also confirm that coffee made with this after-blend manufacturing method is indeed closer to the taste of hand-brewed coffee.
*The after-blend manufacturing method is used to produce some of the products in the Mt. RAINIER series.
～Persistent efforts to bring out the deliciousness～
Mt. RAINIER CAFFÈ LATTE contains only carefully selected ingredients. At the time of development, we had only a limited understanding of coffee. Now, after much research we have accumulated considerable knowledge of ingredients and extraction methods needed for producing a delicious cup of coffee. Our in-house coffee appraisers ensure that we use only carefully selected high quality Arabica coffee beans for our Mt. RAINIER CAFFÈ LATTE.
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Development team – qualified coffee professionals
The Mt. RAINIER development team comprises experts with various coffee-related qualifications. On the team are a Brazilian coffee appraiser "Clasificador de Cafè", 1st and 2nd grade coffee instructors, IIAC Italian espresso taster, CQI certified Q Arabica grader, and others who bring together extensive knowledge from the multiple perspectives needed to conduct the day-to-day research and development aimed at creating truly delicious coffee.
Kobe Plant where Mt. RAINIER CAFFÈ LATTE is produced
We are also particular about the manufacturing process at the manufacturing plant. The roasted coffee beans are ground while they are still fresh, and then immediately brewed in-house using a large pressurized extractor (espresso machine) that we have developed ourselves.
After extraction, the espresso is immediately blended with milk to preserve its fresh coffee aroma.
This milk is also an important point. Taking advantage of Morinaga Milk's extensive milk know-how, we exerted considerable effort to discover the optimum combination of ingredients to bring out the body of the espresso.
Product lineup evolving to meet the needs of the times
Mt. RAINIER CAFFÈ LATTE has been well received by customers for its distinctive taste and new cup style. The product line has maintained the top share* in the chilled cup coffee market even now after more than 25 years following its introduction to the market.
In addition to the standard original product, we create specialty Mt. RAINIER coffees produced with carefully selected ingredients that add peak-of-the season flavors to the line giving customers the choice of 13 to 14 coffee drinks throughout the year.
We sincerely hope customers will thoroughly enjoy their coffee drinking experience with the Mt. RAINIER series. *Intage SRI+ Chilled Cup Coffee Beverage Market, April 2020-March 2021 cumulative sales amount
