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New Delight: Ibaraki Melon Latte by Meito and Nippon Ale

A new product has hit the shelves that melon lovers across Japan need to know about! Starting January 27, 2026, the "Meito × Nippon Ale Ibaraki Melon Latte" will be available for purchase at Family Mart outlets nationwide (excluding the Southern Kyushu and Okinawa regions). Created through collaboration between Family Mart, JA Zen-Noh, and Kyodo Dairy, this product falls under the "Nippon Ale" brand, which promotes support for Japanese agricultural products.

Addressing Food Loss and Supporting Local Producers

This new melty beverage promises not only a delightful taste but also aligns with social responsibility. With a focus on using domestic fruit, the latte embodies the principles of safety and supports food loss reduction through partnerships with producers and farmer organizations. The fruit production process is greatly influenced by weather conditions, such as temperature, rainfall, and sunlight. In recent years, localized heavy rains and extreme weather have resulted in fruit that cannot be sent to market, leading to significant food loss, which further strains producers’ livelihoods. By utilizing fruits that would normally go unmarketed, this product aims to support farmers while addressing the critical issue of food wastage.

The Sweetness of Ibaraki's Melon

The Ibaraki Melon Latte features juice extracted from the famed Ibaraki-grown Andesu melon, renowned for its gentle sweetness and pleasant mouthfeel. The Andesu melon, developed in 1977, is so named because it encapsulates the concepts of "making assured fruits, selling assured fruits, and buying assured fruits." Originally meant to be called "Anshin Desu Melon," its name was changed to "Andesu Melon" to reflect how melons are typically enjoyed by removing their core—a clever play on words that resonates with its production story.

Unfortunately, however, Ibaraki melon cultivation has seen a decline in production areas over the years due to factors such as extreme winter weather, high summer temperatures, and even theft close to harvest time, pushing some farmers to shift towards vegetable farming. By promoting the exceptional taste of Ibaraki’s melons combined with dairy neutrality, this latte not only delivers a flavorful experience but also plays a part in sustaining local agricultural traditions.

Product Details

• - Product Name: Meito × Nippon Ale Ibaraki Melon Latte
• - Type: Dairy Beverage
• - Volume: 500ml
• - Storage: Refrigerated (below 10℃)
• - Energy: 121 kcal per 200ml
• - Release Area: Nationwide (excluding Southern Kyushu and Okinawa) in approximately 15,600 Family Mart stores
• - Price: 198 yen (tax included)
• - Release Date: January 27, 2026

About Kyodo Dairy

Founded in December 1953 in Nagano Prefecture, Kyodo Dairy aims to innovate the dairy industry while collaborating closely with producers. As part of the Zen-Noh Group since June 2022, the company has maintained its philosophy of co-existence between dairy farming and the dairy industry. They focus on utilizing high-quality raw milk produced by passionate farmers, maintaining commitment to taste, production technology improvement, and research and development.

With a unique initiative where company-employed veterinarians provide meticulous care to support high-quality milk production, Kyodo Dairy is dedicated to fostering love from both producers and consumers. With their established product brand "Meito" and their farmer associations, Kyodo Dairy aims to embody its concept of adding deliciousness to nature's brilliance.

For inquiries about the product, please contact the Kyodo Dairy Customer Service at 0120-369817 (Milk Haina) from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM or visit Meito's official website.