UCC Ueshima Coffee Co., Ltd. UCC makes coffee even more delicious with “hydrogen roasting”! ~Limited sale starting October for the world’s first mass production~

[UCC Ueshima Coffee Co., Ltd.] UCC makes coffee even more delicious with “hydrogen roasting”! ~Limited sale starting October for the world’s first mass production~ ​
UCC Ueshima Coffee Co., Ltd. Press release: October 1, 2024 UCC makes coffee even more delicious with “hydrogen roasting”! ~Limited sale starting October for the world’s first mass production~ UCC Ueshima Coffee Co., Ltd. (Headquarters/Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture, Capital: 1 billion yen, President/Fumihiko Asada, hereinafter referred to as UCC) is a company that combines roasting using hydrogen as a heat source with the roasting know-how it has cultivated over the years. We succeeded in creating the
deliciousness unique to hydrogen roasting, which cannot be achieved with conventional heat sources. We have applied for a patent based on this matter. In order to deliver the deliciousness of hydrogen roasting ahead of the world’s first mass production*1, which is approaching April 2025, we will be opening UCC Café, a coffee bean sales format directly managed by UCC, from October 9th (Wednesday). One drip coffee products and roasted bean products will be sold in limited quantities at some Mercado stores, the UCC official online store, and at events.
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With the UCC Group’s purpose of “unleashing the power of coffee for a better world,” we are pursuing new possibilities for coffee and taking on the challenge of creating unprecedented coffee value. In addition, we have established the UCC Sustainability Guidelines and Achieving carbon neutrality by 2040 *2 As one of our initiatives towards Challenge to realize hydrogen roasting I’m doing it. Natural gas is generally used as a heat source for the coffee bean roasting process, but CO2 emissions are a major issue in achieving carbon neutrality. UCC started research and development in 2022, focusing on hydrogen roasting that uses a hydrogen flame as a heat source, which does not emit CO2 during combustion, and is currently conducting empirical research using a small test roasting machine. In April 2025, at the main factory for regular coffee production, “UCC Fuji Factory”, Mass production of hydrogen-roasted coffee using a large-scale hydrogen roaster for the first time in the world *1 , Full-fledged sales I plan to do so. We have now succeeded in creating the “tastiness unique to hydrogen roasting” and will be selling hydrogen roasted coffee* in limited quantities ahead of the full-scale rollout next spring. (* Roasted using a small test roaster) We will introduce you to the “tastiness unique to hydrogen roasting” and how to achieve it. Utilizing UCC Group’s roasting technology, we have established a unique roasting method called hydrogen roasting (patent pending) When roasting coffee, it is important to control the roasting temperature by delicately adjusting the heat in order to bring out the unique taste and aroma of coffee. One of the challenges in hydrogen roasting is the difficulty in handling hydrogen, as it is the lightest substance on earth, easily disperses in the air, and easily burns when reacting with oxygen. The UCC Group has strengths in roasting technology, and by leveraging this, last year we developed a roasting device that uses a hydrogen co-fired burner and applied for a patent. Stable production is possible using this roaster. It is possible to create a variety of tastes. “Deliciousness unique to hydrogen roasting” In further pursuit of the possibilities of hydrogen roasting, UCC’s production department, research and development department, and innovation center played a central role in repeatedly conducting roasting, tasting, and equipment analysis. In the process, if hydrogen is used as a heat source, The range of heat power adjustment is wider than existing heat sources We confirmed that it is possible to roast at a wide range of hot air temperatures, and that it has a roasting profile and taste that can only be produced with hydrogen.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/74056/190/74056-190-a0635854830dd953bc558b56f34f3a7d-1703×973.jpg By combining these characteristics of hydrogen with the roasting know-how that UCC has cultivated over the years, such as knowledge of temperature control and taste formation, beans can be roasted under conditions that were previously impossible, making it possible to roast beans using existing heat sources. than Possible to create a variety of tastes It becomes. i.e. It has been established as a roasting method that expands the range of tastes of coffee that UCC can offer. , Succeeded in creating “the deliciousness unique to hydrogen roasting” I did. (Patent pending) The characteristics that can be brought out through hydrogen roasting vary depending on the type of coffee beans (where they are produced). We have experimented with hydrogen roasting coffee from various regions, and as a result of taking advantage of the characteristics of hydrogen and controlling the temperature so that it slowly passes through the temperature range that is important for sourness formation, we have created a fruitier coffee in terms of flavor and acidity.・We will be selling Ethiopia’s highest grade G1 grade coffee from the Yirgacheffe region, which has a significant floral difference and is able to create the deliciousness unique to hydrogen roasting. Coffee produced in the Yirgacheffe region is originally known for its gorgeous Ethiopian flavor, but hydrogen roasting brings out the floral aroma of orange blossoms and the fruity flavor of ripe berries. The result is a rich and sweet finish. From October 9th (Wednesday), we will be selling a limited number of one-drop coffee products and roasted bean products at our directly managed coffee bean stores and official online store. It will also be sold at the UCC booth at SCAJ2024*3, Asia’s largest specialty coffee event, which opens on the same day. Please take this opportunity to try it. ●Sales location ・UCC Cafe Mercado 13 stores *List of sales stores is listed separately ・UCC official online store
https://store.ucc.co.jp/ ・UCC booth in “SCAJ2024” *3 days from October 9th to 11th ●Sales lineup UCC Hydrogen roasted coffee Ethiopia G1 Yirgachefe region coffee ・One drip coffee: 350 yen (excluding tax) ・Set of 5 cups of one drip coffee: 1,890 yen (excluding tax) ・100g of fried beans: 1,500 yen (excluding tax)
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/74056/190/74056-190-6b5affcd82238713c9730c2fa8abf036-1174×1473.jpg One drip coffee package *Fried beans will be sold only at 13 UCC Cafe Mercado stores. Also, the selling price of one-drop coffee at “SCAJ2024″ is different from the above. *Sales will end as soon as all products are sold out. In order to achieve “carbon neutrality by 2040” as set forth in the UCC Sustainability Guidelines, UCC will continue to take on the challenge of using hydrogen as a heat source, producing carbon-neutral coffee, and further pursuing the
deliciousness unique to hydrogen-roasted coffee. We will continue to take on challenges and move forward. *1 The world’s first large-scale hydrogen roaster to mass produce hydrogen roasted coffee ・UCC research ・We independently designed and developed the roasting machine itself to be compatible with hydrogen heat sources, and continuously produced and sold hydrogen-roasted coffee ・Annual capacity 3,000 tons or more *2 UCC Sustainability Guidelines: Achieving carbon neutrality by 2040 Established in April 2022. Based on our sustainability vision of “Creating positive change in the world through the power of coffee,” we have established two major areas to achieve this goal: “Helping to enrich nature” and “Helping to enrich people.” In terms of nature, we aim to achieve carbon neutrality and practice a nature positive approach by 2040, and set an interim goal of reducing Scope 1 & 2 greenhouse gases by 46% compared to 2019 by 2030. did. *3 SCAJ2024 Asia’s largest specialty coffee event hosted by the Japan Specialty Coffee Association, which aims to educate and popularize specialty coffee. The official name is “SCAJ World Specialty Coffee Conference and Exhibition 2024.” This year marks the 19th time the event has been held, and last year more than 69,000 people, mainly industry professionals from around the world, visited. This year, it will be held at Tokyo Big Sight for four days from October 9th (Wednesday) to October 12th (Saturday). Please see the event website for details. “SCAJ2024” HP: https://scajconference.jp/ [About “UCC Cafe Mercado” which sells hydrogen roasted coffee] UCC Café Mercado is a coffee bean sales business operated directly by UCC. 18 stores nationwide (as of the end of September 2024). We are a coffee specialty store that carries a wide variety of coffees, including coffee from UCC’s directly managed farms, contest-winning lots, coffee from designated production areas and farms, and blended coffee created using UCC’s wisdom and technology. At our stores, we work closely with each customer and help them find the coffee they like. ▼List of hydrogen roasted coffee stores (13 stores) Sales location Address TEL UCC Cafe Mercado Daimaru Sapporo store Daimaru Sapporo B1F, 4-7 Kitagojo Nishi, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 011-206-9970 UCC Cafe Mercado Sogo Chiba Store Sogo Chiba B1F, 1000 Shinmachi, Chuo-ku, Chiba City, Chiba Prefecture 043-238-5348 UCC Cafe Mercado Sogo Omiya store Sogo Omiya B1F, 1-6-2 Sakuragicho, Omiya-ku, Saitama City, Saitama Prefecture 048-648-1328 UCC Cafe Mercado Shinjuku Takashimaya store Shinjuku Takashimaya B1F, 5-24-2 Sendagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 03-5361-1365 UCC Cafe Mercado Sogo Yokohama store Sogo Yokohama B2F, 2-18-1 Takashima, Nishi-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 045-465-2694 UCC Cafe Mercado JR Kyoto Isetan store Kyoto Isetan B1F, 901 Higashi Shiokojicho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture 075-352-6256 UCC Cafe Mercado Hankyu Nishinomiya Store Hankyu Nishinomiya Gardens 1F, 14-1 Takamatsucho, Nishinomiya City, Hyogo Prefecture 0798-69-3850 UCC Cafe Mercado Daimaru Kobe store Daimaru Kobe Store B1F, 40 Akashicho, Chuo-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture 078-977-7820 UCC Cafe Mercado Sogo Hiroshima store Sogo Hiroshima Main Building B1F, 6-27 Motomachi, Naka-ku, Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture 082-512-7821 UCC Cafe Mercado Tenmaya Fukuyama store Tenmaya Fukuyama Store B1F, 1-1 Motomachi, Fukuyama City, Hiroshima Prefecture 084-928-4067 UCC Cafe Mercado Iyotetsu Takashimaya store Iyotetsu Takashimaya B1F, 5-1-1 Minato-cho, Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture 089-948-2450 UCC Cafe Mercado Hakata Daimaru store Hakata Daimaru Main Building B2F, 1-4-1 Tenjin, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture 092-762-7361 UCC Cafe Mercado Tsuruya Department Store Tsuruya Department Store B2F, 6-1 Tedorihonmachi, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture 096-327-3732 *Some stores may be closed or their business hours may change. UCC Cafe Mercado HP: https://www.ufs.co.jp/brand/cmc/ Related URL ・Distribution release on April 27, 2022/Establishment of “UCC Sustainability Guidelines”: https://www.ucc.co.jp/company/news/2022/rel220427.html ・Achieve carbon neutrality by 2040:
https://www.ucc.co.jp/company/sustainability/nature/carbon_neutral/ ・Released on May 22, 2023/First in Japan! UCC files patent application for invention related to hydrogen roasting:
https://www.ucc.co.jp/company/news/2023/rel230522a.html ・Released on September 25, 2023/UCC decides to introduce large roaster using hydrogen as heat source at Fuji factory:
https://www.ucc.co.jp/company/news/2023/rel230925a.html ・About hydrogen roasted coffee
https://www.ucc.co.jp/company/sustainability/nature/carbon_neutral/hydrogen_roasting [Contact information for inquiries from general customers regarding this matter] UCC Ueshima Coffee Co., Ltd. Customer Representative TEL: 078-304-8952 WEB： https://www.ucc.co.jp/customer/