In a quest to decipher the nuances of Japan’s beloved Gogo no Kocha (“Afternoon Black Tea”) milk teas, our team ventured to sample all 11 flavors offered by the renowned brand. Our mission? To provide you with the ultimate guide, ensuring you know precisely which one to reach for to craft your perfect cuppa.
Gogo no Kocha, a creation of beverage behemoth Kirin, stands as one of the most esteemed and recognizable bottled tea brands in the Japanese market. Venturing into any convenience store in Japan, you’re bound to encounter a selection of its offerings. Notably, Gogo no Kocha’s range of hot and cold milk teas has garnered significant acclaim, establishing itself as the beverage of choice for countless Japanese consumers year-round.
Our intrepid Japanese-language reporter, Natsuki Gojo, recently embarked on a tasting journey, sampling all 11 varieties of Gogo no Kocha’s milk teas available for purchase as of the end of January. Prior to this endeavor, Natsuki had often selected a bottle at random. However, this assignment proved enlightening, unveiling the importance of strategic selection based on the unique characteristics of each flavor variant. Here’s a revelation – did you know that the tea leaves utilized in these milk teas vary, incorporating distinct flavor extraction techniques?
Let’s delve into the intricacies of each product, categorized by the leaves used:
Kandy Tea Leaves (sourced from Kandy, Sri Lanka, known for producing light tea with minimal astringency) are featured in:
Milk Tea (Cold): This quintessential Gogo no Kocha milk tea is likely the first flavor that comes to mind when envisioning the brand. Crafted using 20 percent Kandy tea leaves, this classic rendition strikes a harmonious balance between aromatic black tea and creamy milk, ensuring you savor each element equally.
