TOKYO, Sept 12 — Coca-Cola Japan has announced plans to launch what it’s calling the world’s first self-heating, carbonated beverage: hot ginger ale.
Set to be released in time for fall, Canada Dry Hot Ginger Ale is different from the original recipe with the addition of cinnamon, apple flavourings, spices and punchier ginger extracts – a favourite autumnal flavour among Japanese consumers.
The self-heating can was the result of four years of research, the company says.
While self-heating cans of soup, coffee and tea have been readily available for years across the country, the innovation of the hot ginger ale lies in the fact that the beverage is carbonated.
In the US, smart packaging company Hot-Can also produces self-heating cans, which work by depressing a button on the bottom of the container, gently shaking the can for about 20 seconds to activate the process, and then waiting three minutes for the beverage to heat up.
The double chambered aluminium can works via an exothermic reaction involving water and calcium oxide. The result is a piping hot drink at 50-55°C.
According to Businessweek, Coca-Cola Japan beats Japanese beverage giant Kirin to the punch by a few weeks.
In November, Kirin will release a warm soda dubbed Kirin No Awa, a hot apple-flavoured drink that will sell at convenience stores for ¥130 (RM 4.30).
Canada Dry Hot Ginger Ale hits the Japanese market Oct 21 and will retail for ¥120. — AFP-Relaxnews
