Kuzefuku Shouten, a select shop based in Nagano Prefecture that carries Japanese foods and condiments, is putting a spotlight on products designed to be mixed with milk in celebration of June's Milk Month, which begins with Milk Day on June 1.
Among its current offerings, the Black Sugar Milk Coffee Base (594 yen, tax included) has stood out for the volume of interest it has generated. Demand has significantly exceeded forecasts, leading the brand to ramp up manufacturing considerably.
Production Scaled Up to Roughly Three Times the Original Pace
The Black Sugar Milk Coffee Base has attracted a broad range of customers since its launch, with sales surpassing expectations at both physical stores and the official online shop. Temporary stock shortages occurred at some locations as demand outpaced supply. Production has since been increased to approximately triple the original volume, with the brand working to stabilize availability going forward.
Okinawa Black Sugar Meets Coffee, with Salt Koji as a Finishing Touch
The Black Sugar Milk Coffee Base combines the mellow sweetness of Okinawa black sugar with the gentle bitterness and fragrance of coffee. Salt koji is incorporated as a subtle accent that helps tie the flavors together. Mixing with milk recreates a café-style black sugar coffee at home. One bottle yields approximately 8 servings, making it around 100 yen per cup when factoring in the cost of milk.
A Lineup of Mix-with-Milk Products for June's Milk Day
The Strawberry Milk Base gained traction on social media and has repeatedly sold out. Whole strawberries are cooked down to produce a thick, sweet-and-tangy concentrate with a down-to-earth flavor. It can be mixed with milk or cider, and also works well drizzled over yogurt.
The Fruit Milk Base combines four fruits — peach, banana, apple, and mango — in a balanced blend. Mixed with milk, it creates a smooth, nostalgic fruit milk drink. Soy milk is another option, and it can double as a syrup for shaved ice.
The Adult Matcha Latte and Adult Hojicha Latte series was developed in collaboration with tea master Toshiyuki Suta. The lattes aim to deliver a robust tea flavor with a restrained sweetness — comparable to what you'd find at a specialty tea stand. Adding warm milk is all it takes to prepare; cold milk works just as well during the warmer months.
June 1 serves as a prompt to look at milk in a new light. Beyond drinking it straight, a mix-in base can open up a wider range of everyday enjoyment. Kuzefuku Shouten's lineup offers several ways to explore that — each designed to turn a simple glass of milk into something a little more special.
