Starbucks Launches Matcha Latte With Hojicha in Japan, Unveils Global Sustainability Hub in Costa Rica

Starbucks is expanding its Japanese 'chilled cup' offerings with a new Matcha Latte with Honnori Hojicha while concurrently unveiling plans to create a global sustainability learning and innovation hub at Hacienda Alsacia in Costa Rica, providing a comprehensive approach to coffee sustainability.

This new latte is the latest addition to the chain's "chilled cup" series, a selection of pre-made drinks exclusive to convenience stores since 2005, aiming to reach more customers. The gorgeous design of the cup, with its blend of gold and green hues, topped off with foam to represent freshly whipped matcha, is a sight to behold.

Inside this majestic cup, you will find a tea latte that boasts the largest amount of Uji matcha ever used in a blend compared to previous matcha-flavored chilled cup releases. Additionally, it contains creamy milk and a hint of hojicha (roasted green tea) for a unique accent flavor.

Produced by Suntory Beverage and Food Company, these cups provide you with a perfect opportunity to add a bit of relaxing matcha zen to your day. At a recommended retail price of 230 yen, each 180-milliliter cup will be available at convenience stores around Japan.

The coffee giant is gearing up to build a new sustainability learning and innovation lab at Hacienda Alsacia, its worldwide research and development agronomy headquarters in Costa Rica. But this lab isn't just for Starbucks employees - it'll be a space for researchers, students, and industry leaders to come together and drive sustainable solutions for some of the world's most pressing social and environmental problems, like agricultural economics and climate change.

According to Laxman Narasimhan, Starbucks CEO, this is an opportunity for them to advance Starbucks' environmental promise and their farmer's promise to ensure coffee's future for all. He added that they know they can't achieve this alone, and the possibilities to partner with thought leaders and serve as a global hub for innovation are limitless.

Starting this fall, select Arizona State University students and Starbucks partners will have access to the first round of educational programming. Through study abroad opportunities and a world-class faculty curriculum, students will earn degrees in Sustainability, Sustainable Food Systems, Global Agribusiness, Environmental and Resource management, and other degree programs.

Photo: Hamza Inayat/Unsplash