Japan to get green tea cola
2009-06-04 22:15
Tokyo - Forget "Classic" or "New" Coke. In Japan, you can soon have your cola flavoured with green tea or basil.
Green tea-flavoured Coca-Cola will hit Japanese stores on June 8, Coca Cola (Japan) Co spokesperson Katsuya Sato said on Thursday.
It contains tea antioxidants called catechins, leaves a slight green tea aftertaste and is mainly targeted at health-conscious women in their 20s and 30s, Sato said.
"We wanted to cater to people who are looking for something that tastes good but is also good for health and beauty," he said.
Coca Cola is the leader in Japan's cola market but faces stiff competition from non-carbonated bottled drinks such as tea, coffee and fruit juices.
Rival Pepsi Cola is countering with another exotic cola - Japanese basil-flavoured "Pepsi Shiso", which hits stores in late June.
- SAPA