World Barista Champion Develops "Coffee for Lasagna," Ushering in an Era of Coffee and Cuisine Pairings; COLORS CAFE, UCC Coffee Academy, and Marukome to Host Food Pairing Event in July

Samurai Dream Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Chuo-ku, Osaka; Representative Director: Shinsaku Miyama), operator of "BARISTA MAP Coffee Roasters," and COLORS Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director: Seiya Hamada), which plans pairings of specialty coffee with various foods, have jointly developed "LASAGNA BLEND," the "world's best coffee for lasagna," in 2025. While food pairings with beverages like wine and sake are well-established, pairing coffee with cuisine is still in its early stages. Representative Miyama will speak at the "Coffee x Lasagna x Koji Milk" food pairing event, jointly hosted by COLORS Co., Ltd., UCC Coffee Academy, and Marukome Co., Ltd. on July 10 (Fri) and 11 (Sat), 2026.

Lasagna made with rare Hungarian Mangalica pork and "LASAGNA BLEND," the "world's best coffee for lasagna."

[Event Overview and Purpose]

BARISTA MAP Coffee Roasters aims to "achieve Michelin with coffee," promoting and providing not only the deliciousness of coffee but also its culture and hospitality both domestically and internationally. At this event, Representative Miyama, the 2016 Latte Art World Champion and the first Japanese to win the Australian Championship in 2018, will propose food pairings with the original blend "Lasagna Blend," developed under the concept of "designing coffee to match food."

On the day, "LASAGNA BLEND" will be served alongside "KOJI BARISTA EDITION (Koji Milk)" developed by Marukome Co., Ltd., lasagna made with rare Hungarian Mangalica pork, and koji milk cheesecake from the popular Fukuoka cheesecake specialty store "KAKA." This event aims to propose a new culinary culture that enjoys coffee not just as a post-meal drink but in conjunction with food.

[Event Highlights]

1 Experience the new possibilities of specialty coffee enjoyed with food.

2 A fusion of experts in coffee, fermentation, and cuisine, creating a cross-industry culinary experience.

3 Event-exclusive menu:

- Koji Milk Mangalica Lasagna (Lasagna using rare Hungarian Mangalica pork)

- Koji Milk Cheesecake (Jointly developed with Fukuoka cheesecake specialty store "KAKA cheesecake store")

4 Availability at COLORS CAFE, Ebisu

"LASAGNA BLEND" will be available year-round, and "Koji Milk Mangalica Lasagna" and "Koji Milk Cheesecake" will be offered in limited quantities at COLORS CAFE in Ebisu.

* The food pairing experience can be enjoyed not only on the event day but also at the actual stores.

[Speakers]

- Chef Daisuke Ichikawa, COLORS CAFE Food Supervisor

- Katsurou Doi, Full-time Lecturer, UCC Coffee Academy

- Junichi Gon, Developer of Marukome Co., Ltd.'s "KOJI BARISTA EDITION"

- Shinsaku Miyama, Representative, BARISTA MAP Coffee Roasters (Speaking on July 10)

- Ryuya Kinjo, One by one coffee (Speaking on July 11)

Event Outline

"Coffee x Lasagna x Koji Milk" Food Pairing Experience Event

Date and Time:

July 10 (Fri) "Media & Industry Professionals" Part 1: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM, Part 2: 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

July 11 (Sat) "General Public" Participation Fee: 5,500 yen (tax included)

* To apply for participation, please use the link below.

Part 1: 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM https://ucc-coffee-academy.resv.jp/direct.php?direct_id=4957

Part 2: 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM https://ucc-coffee-academy.resv.jp/direct.php?direct_id=4958

Venue:

UCC Coffee Academy Tokyo School

1F, Sumitomo Fudosan Aoyama Building West Wing, 8-5-26 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo

Organizers: COLORS Co., Ltd. / UCC Coffee Academy / Marukome Co., Ltd.

Cooperation: BARISTA MAP Coffee Roasters

The beans used in the blend were carefully roasted to maximize their acidity and sweetness, creating a "Lasagna Blend" with a gorgeous, clear acidity, sweetness, and texture.

"World's Best Coffee for Lasagna"!? Offering a New Culinary Experience

This original blend, with its gorgeous and clear acidity, sweetness, and texture, harmonizes with and enhances the textural layers of lasagna, the creaminess of the béchamel sauce, and the rich flavors of fragrant cheese and ingredients. The exquisite taste features the jasmine-like acidity of Colombia's Pink Bourbon variety and the light sweetness of Ethiopia, perfectly balanced to complement the creamy lasagna. Blending two carefully selected beans from different origins brings out a fruity and gorgeous flavor, making the taste richer when paired with lasagna. The latest Stronghold roaster was used for roasting, with efforts made to bring out sweetness and texture while maintaining the gorgeousness.

LASAGNA BLEND: 100g beans - 4,000 yen (tax included) / Drip bag 4-piece set - 1,600 yen (tax included)

* Now on sale at COLORS CAFE (Ebisu) store.

Comments from Representative Shinsaku Miyama

"The combination of coffee and lasagna pairing" is very novel, and I developed it while considering its compatibility with creamy lasagna. The beans used in the blend are crafted to bring out acidity and sweetness, with a delicate balance being its characteristic. I believe its gorgeousness and sweetness, enjoyable both hot and iced, will undoubtedly make it "a cup that further enhances the dining experience" regardless of the occasion.

Shinsaku Miyama Profile

Shinsaku Miyama

Born in 1983. Representative of BARISTA MAP Coffee Roasters. Winner of the 2016 Latte Art World Championship and the first Japanese to win the Australian Championship in 2018. After returning to Japan, he established Samurai Dream Co., Ltd., engaging in barista training, store management, and product development. In 2025, he will open a flagship shop in Shinsaibashi.

For detailed career information, click here: https://x.gd/D6Q2E

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shinsaku_samurai/

Images/Data: https://x.gd/MJlpa

BARISTA MAP Coffee Roasters Shinsaibashi Store

Address: 2-18-12 Nishi-Shinsaibashi, Chuo-ku, Osaka 542-0086

Access: 4-minute walk from Yotsubashi Station, 6-minute walk from Shinsaibashi Station

Cafe Hours: 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Closed: Mondays (Temporary closures will be announced on social media)

Barista School: Tuesdays - Fridays

Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/baristamap.coffee_shinsaibashi/

Company Overview

Company Name: Samurai Dream Co., Ltd.

Representative: Shinsaku Miyama, Representative Director

Location: 2-20-3-506 Nipponbashi, Chuo-ku, Osaka 542-0073

Established: August 2020

Capital: 6.5 million yen

Business Activities: Sales and wholesale of self-roasted specialty coffee, cafe management, and school operations.

Inquiries: Public Relations Representative, Kamimura, info@viola-pr.com, 080-3357-0880