The ways to enjoy coffee are expanding.

A culture of enjoying coffee with friends after exercise is gaining traction, particularly overseas. This trend resonates with movements like "run communities" that are becoming popular among younger generations.

On November 4th, UCC held a press conference at Yoyogi Park BE STAGE to announce the 2026 new products for its edible coffee, 'YOINED'. The central theme of the event was wellness, encompassing exercise and self-care.

Unique Manufacturing Method: Enjoying Whole Coffee Beans Without Cacao

Launched in 2023, YOINED is a coffee food product that employs a unique manufacturing method, pulverizing whole coffee beans into fine particles and then molding them.

While it resembles a chocolate bar, it contains no cacao beans whatsoever. The key is that its main ingredients are coffee beans, vegetable oil, sugar, and coffee oil, using coffee beans as the primary component instead of the cacao found in typical chocolate.

Sold in limited quantities each year, it became such a popular product that despite increasing shipments by over 120% year-on-year last year, it sold out within two days of release.

The new 'UCC YOINED Assortment 6P' is scheduled for release on November 9th, with pre-orders opening today, November 4th, on the official online store.

2026 New Products Feature Geisha and 100-Year-Old Red Bourbon

At the press conference, Tomoyo Kosaka, Brand Manager for 'YOINED' at UCC Japan, and Tamayu Yoda, who presides over the wellness community "THE WEEKEND WELLNESS CLUB", took the stage. They introduced the characteristics of the new products, which use rare coffee beans, and presented new ways to enjoy YOINED, distinct from its previously suggested role as a snack to accompany alcoholic beverages.

While typical coffee is brewed with hot water, YOINED is characterized by a method where roasted beans themselves are pulverized into fine particles, mixed with oil, and then molded. This patented technology originated from a researcher's idea to encapsulate coffee aroma and was commercialized after over 20 years of research and development.

In liquid coffee, water-soluble components are extracted. YOINED, however, uses the entire bean, allowing consumers to savor components that would not typically transfer into a beverage through standard extraction. Another characteristic is how the coffee aroma spreads as the oil melts in the mouth.

However, using the entire bean means that the quality of the raw material directly impacts the flavor. Since impurities and defects in coffee beans are more likely to remain, careful selection of raw materials is crucial. UCC leverages its innovation center's roasting research and the skills of master roasters, in addition to selecting sourcing partners, including its directly managed farms.

Given these product characteristics, the beans used are not common commodity beans but are selected for their quality and individuality. The price setting of 3,240 yen (tax included) for a box of six pieces also reflects its positioning as a product utilizing rare coffee beans.

For the 2026 products, two types of coffee beans have been adopted: Nicaraguan Geisha and Brazilian Red Bourbon. Both feature a bean content of 40%, allowing consumers to enjoy the distinct flavor profiles derived from their respective origins, varieties, and processing methods.

'Nicaraguan Geisha' uses beans cultivated at Las Delicias Farm. The farm's elevation ranges from 1260 to 1460m, with coffee trees planted on steep slopes. For processing, they employ 'Cold Anaerobic Natural,' which manages fermentation in a low-temperature storage room at 6-10°C. It begins with a floral aroma reminiscent of jasmine and a honey-lemon acidity, evolving into flavors suggestive of Earl Grey and apricot.

'Brazilian Red Bourbon' uses beans cultivated at Sertão Farm. Among the rare Red Bourbon trees, it utilizes fruits harvested from trees over 100 years old. The processing method is 'Natural Fermented,' incorporating a fermentation step. Its flavor is characterized by a transition from plum-like sweet-tartness to nutty notes and a brown sugar-like sweetness.

According to Kosaka, approximately 20 types of beans were prototyped during the selection process. The emphasis in selection was on the change in flavor as the product melts in the mouth.

Kosaka stated, "What we prioritize most with YOINED is the evolution of the aftertaste. Such a change wouldn't be possible without beans that have undergone a fermentation process. Precisely because it's an edible format, even distinctive beans that would yield strong acidity when brewed can be enjoyed as a mellow, profound flavor."

Incidentally, the roasting intensity is lighter than that for typical coffee beans intended for brewing, taking into account that the beans themselves are consumed. One reason for this is that over-roasting would result in excessive bitterness.

Conversely, if beans roasted for YOINED were brewed, they would be quite acidic. The ability to enjoy the differences in coffee bean varieties and processing methods without being influenced by brewing conditions is a unique characteristic of solidified coffee. The flavor design considers not only the individuality of each bean but also the process of it melting in the mouth.

From Accompaniment to Wellness: Proposing New Ways to Enjoy Coffee

Until now, YOINED has been proposed for enjoyment as a snack or accompaniment during evening bar times. This year, a new direction, "Coffee x Health & Wellness," was also introduced.

The backdrop to this is a community culture combining exercise and coffee, which is spreading in Europe, North America, and Australia. A style known as "Run Club & Coffee," where participants gather at cafes to socialize after enjoying activities like running or Pilates, is gaining popularity, especially among younger generations.

Kosaka cited an initiative by TOBY'S ESTATE, an Australian coffee brand and UCC group company, which provided approximately 2,300 cups of coffee at the 2026 Sydney Marathon. She commented, "Coffee is gaining global recognition not only as a weekday energy boost but also as a community hub for socializing with friends after exercise."

The presentation also touched upon research concerning coffee consumption after exercise and muscle glycogen recovery. While the efficacy has not yet been proven, UCC is paying attention to the fact that research exploring new possibilities for coffee, from the perspective of post-exercise nutritional supplementation, has begun.

It was also highlighted that YOINED, which uses whole coffee beans, contains more dietary fiber compared to regular liquid coffee. Figures presented at the press conference showed approximately six times more dietary fiber than liquid coffee. Furthermore, the caffeine content is about 33-36mg per piece, which is less than the approximately 70mg in a typical cup of coffee. Based on these characteristics, it is being proposed as a light post-exercise supplement or an option to enjoy coffee flavor on the go.

Being solid, it doesn't require brewing equipment or hot water, making it easily portable. This makes it convenient for situations where preparing a beverage is difficult, such as during running or hiking. It offers a different way to enjoy coffee, suitable for before or after exercise, or during outdoor activities.

Also in Wellness Settings Through Exercise

During the talk session, Tamayu Yoda, who presides over THE WEEKEND WELLNESS CLUB, took the stage. Her community hosts events such as yoga, running, and hiking twice a month. Yoda pointed out the increasing participation of younger generations in recent exercise culture.

Yoda stated, "Running used to have an image associated with middle-aged and older individuals, but now people in their early twenties are regularly running in Yoyogi Park. There's also an increase in those tackling full marathons, triathlons, and HYROX. The style of stopping by a cafe to socialize after exercise before dispersing has also become established."

She also shared how her own life changed after she started exercising. Previously, she drank about four days a week and slept around four hours a night, but by incorporating morning exercise into her routine, her daytime activities and sleep rhythm transformed. She reflected, "Exercising in the morning boosts my daytime performance, and I naturally feel sleepy by 11 PM. I feel my life has become comfortably well-ordered."

On the other hand, she also expressed caution about forcing people to practice early rising or exercise simply because they are considered good. This stems from her stance that wellness is about comfort, encompassing not only physical but also mental health.

Yoda said, "I don't want to impose ideas like 'early rising is virtuous' or 'staying up late is bad.' Enjoying drinks with friends is also a form of wellness. I believe it's important to choose what makes you feel best."

Wellness is not limited to specific lifestyle habits; it's about choosing how each individual feels most comfortable.

Savoring Coffee Through Breathing Exercises and Journaling

At the venue, attendees also experienced a breathing exercise lectured by Ms. Yoda. They practiced the "478 breathing method," inhaling for 4 seconds, holding for 7 seconds, and exhaling for 8 seconds.

After regulating their breathing, they sampled YOINED. Biting off a small piece and letting it slowly melt on the tongue allowed the coffee aroma to spread, with the flavor evolving over time. A key characteristic of this product is savoring it, including the time it takes to melt in the mouth, rather than consuming it all at once like a beverage.

Ms. Yoda, who has authored books on journaling (a method of introspection where one writes down emotions and thoughts in a notebook), proposed this use of time as a way to enjoy YOINED. She commented, "Of course, it's great to enjoy conversations with friends after exercise, but I also want people to eat it during quiet moments of self-reflection. Slowly melting YOINED while writing down your thoughts in a notebook – I believe having such time is another way to enjoy it."

THE WEEKEND WELLNESS CLUB also plans events where participants can experience these wellness concepts. In December 2026, there will be a hiking-themed event, and from January 2027 onwards, plans include initiatives combining yoga and journaling to practice both active and passive aspects of wellness, with details to be announced soon.

Supply and Sales Methods Pose Challenges for a Product Using Rare Beans

During the Q&A session, questions were raised regarding the reason for positioning 'YOINED' as a 'coffee food' rather than a confection, and future production and sales policies.

Kosaka explained that limiting it to the confectionery category would primarily restrict its use to snacks. YOINED is a product designed to enjoy the flavor of coffee itself, intended for use in various life scenarios such as an accompaniment to drinks, post-exercise replenishment, or during solitary moments.

Given that the product consistently sells out after its annual release, a question about expanding production volume was also posed. Kosaka cited the rarity (micro-lot status) of the beans used in YOINED, explaining the difficulty in balancing quality priorities. She stated that they are not considering switching to commodity beans solely for stable supply or mass production. Furthermore, there are challenges related to sales periods and distribution, such as the product being prone to melting in the summer. While addressing these issues, they aim to consider year-round sales in the future.

Regarding the coffee beans used, they have also shown interest in products using beans with a strong body, such as fine Robusta, whose quality has improved in recent years, and plan to explore developments that leverage the individuality of different varieties and beans.

YOINED is a product born from the idea of eating coffee beans themselves, rather than brewing them. The 2026 new products feature rare beans like Geisha and Red Bourbon from trees over 100 years old, expressing flavor differences based on variety and processing method. At the press conference, in addition to the traditional suggestion of enjoying it as an accompaniment to drinks, its expansion into wellness-related lifestyle scenes such as running, yoga, and journaling was also presented. How will the unique characteristic of enjoying coffee by eating it, not just drinking it, be expanded into various situations? With an eye not only on taste preferences but also on health maintenance, YOINED is a product that holds promise for how the 'coffee food' genre will evolve.