Future-Creating Coffee: 'Seven Café Hydrogen-Roasted Coffee' Now Features a 'Refreshing' Iced Coffee! Jointly Developed by 7-Eleven Japan and UCC

UCC Ueshima Coffee Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Kobe, Hyogo; President: Hiroshi Shibatani; hereinafter 'UCC') and Seven-Eleven Japan Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Tomohiro Akutsu; hereinafter 'Seven-Eleven Japan') have jointly developed 'Seven Café Hydrogen-Roasted Coffee Iced R,' which uses 'hydrogen-roasted coffee' that brings out new flavors while emitting no CO2 during the roasting process, contributing to decarbonization. It will be released sequentially at 7-Eleven stores nationwide starting Tuesday, April 7.

The UCC Group, under its purpose of 'Unlocking the power of coffee for a better world,' is challenging itself to create unprecedented coffee value. As part of its efforts toward 'realizing carbon neutrality by 2040,' UCC has focused on the 'roasting' process—essential for delivering delicious coffee—and is taking on the challenge of hydrogen roasting, which emits no CO2. In April 2025, it became the first in the world to begin mass production of 'hydrogen-roasted coffee' using the large-scale hydrogen roaster 'HydroMaster,' and it will soon mark its first anniversary.

In the joint development of 'Seven Café Hydrogen-Roasted Coffee,' we aimed to realize a new coffee flavor that can be enjoyed even by those who do not usually drink coffee or are sensitive to bitterness. Leveraging the characteristics of hydrogen roasting—such as precise temperature control and a wider range of heat adjustment compared to conventional heat sources—we roasted the beans slowly over low heat. This resulted in a taste that is clear, satisfying, and fruity with mellow acidity. This led to the launch of 'Seven Café Hydrogen-Roasted Coffee Hot' in October 2025.

Now, as the weather warms up, an iced coffee version is joining the lineup.

'Refreshing' Hydrogen-Roasted Iced Coffee to Get a Head Start on Summer! 'Clear Taste with Minimal Off-flavors' Realized Through Hydrogen Roasting While maintaining the gorgeous aroma and fruity acidity of the hot version, we pursued a taste that can be enjoyed to the very last drop as an iced coffee. Through the precise temperature control of hydrogen roasting, we achieved both a clean, clear taste with minimal off-flavors and a satisfying richness. Furthermore, the crispness and refreshing 'clear aftertaste' are even more pronounced. It is an easy-to-drink iced coffee perfect for the coming season. Following the hot version, the iced coffee was also supervised by Katsuro Doi, a dedicated instructor at the UCC Coffee Academy.

'Seven Café' Evolves Toward 'Delicious x Sustainable,' the Coffee That Creates the Future 'Seven Café Hydrogen-Roasted Coffee' was jointly developed by Seven-Eleven Japan and UCC as a proposal for a new, easy-to-drink, and delicious coffee for both regular and occasional coffee drinkers. To provide new value in coffee, we utilized hydrogen roasting technology, which is both delicious and environmentally friendly.

General coffee roasting uses natural gas as a heat source. Hydrogen-roasted coffee not only contributes to decarbonization by emitting zero CO2 during the roasting process, but also offers a wider range of temperature control compared to natural gas, particularly in maintaining stable low-heat combustion. By combining these characteristics of hydrogen with UCC's accumulated roasting know-how, we can maximize the inherent aroma, sweetness, and acidity of the coffee beans, enabling a diverse flavor profile impossible with conventional methods.

Please enjoy 'Seven Café Hydrogen-Roasted Coffee,' which has evolved into a coffee that creates the future through 'Delicious x Sustainable' technology.

UCC will continue to take on challenges and move forward to unlock the power of coffee for a better world.