UCC Coffee Europe has launched a new coffee brand, backed by the UCC Group in Japan, a global coffee company with a €2.58 billion (about US$3.14 billion) annual sales revenue.
The launch of the Ueshima Coffee Company brand brings Japan’s number one coffee to the United Kingdom for the first time and challenges the European coffee brands that are currently driving the global coffee market.
Established in Kobe in 1933, Ueshima Coffee Company is on a mission to pioneer Japanese coffee culture across Europe. Driven by its founding principles of craftsmanship, innovation and sustainability, its launch range delivers a line-up of unique, sustainable, and premium coffees that represent an authentic taste of Japan.
Available now online at www.ueshimacoffeecompany.com, further products will be added to the range in Spring 2021, with plans to roll-out the brand in grocery retail and out of home. A phased launch in other European markets is also planned from late 2021 onwards.
“The Ueshima launch is a key move for UCC. We have capitalised on the rich experience of our Japanese coffee business to develop the brand; which having been honing its craft and expertise for over eight decades, has unrivalled heritage in Asian coffee. This is a single-minded launch that taps into the biggest growth opportunities in the market and will bring a new coffee experience to consumers who appreciate a distinctive cup of coffee,” says Paul Molyneux, CEO of UCC Coffee Europe.
“Japan is famed for its strong culture, rituals, craft and quality and globally, it ranks as the number one country brand. So, it’s the ideal time to bring Ueshima – and its visually striking, authentic brand identity – to UK retailers and consumers.”
The Ueshima launch range includes beans, roast and ground coffee, Nespresso compatible aluminium capsules, and coffee bags in three blends – Tokyo Roast, House Blend and Fuji Mountain.
Created by Japanese Q Graders, the blends have been developed using original recipes and modern roasting profiles to suit European tastes. The whole range is Rainforest Alliance certified, with recyclable packaging through local waste streams or via a partnership with TerraCycle.
Characteristically smooth, bold in flavour, and low in acidity, UCC says the Ueshima coffee offers consumers a different drinking experience. Its blends capture the heart of Japan’s unique coffee culture and the type of coffee enjoyed in coffeehouses and homes across the country.
Complementing Ueshima’s authentic flavours is its stylish, Japanese inspired packaging design, that firmly sets it apart from other coffee brands. Each illustration has been thoughtfully crafted by Japanese calligraphy artist Kashuū, in a style born out of traditional Shodo calligraphy to evoke the flavour of each of the coffee blends. Shodo is Kashuū’s lifelong practice – at the age of 19 she was awarded the highest title of ‘Professor’ by The Japan Calligraphy Foundation and given the calligrapher name ‘Kashuū’.
For more information, visit www.ueshimacoffeecompany.com
