Cool Java

Product Type:Coffee Drinks; Container: 11 fl oz (325 mL) plastic
BevNET Review: The flagship flavor of the Cool Java brand is called Dark Roast Cappuccino. If you've ever had RTD iced coffee, you'll notice that this product has a reduced amount of burnt milk taste compared to competitors. Perhaps its the use of UHT pasteurization -- or just the fact that Kan-Pak has experience with coffee from its food service lines. Either way, the product brings innovation in the way of packaging and pasteurization to a category that has been heavily tied to glass and cans that have been notoriously bitter in finish. Aside from the wrapped closure (it's a bit hard to open), we think that this product is a well done entry into the RTD coffee category.Reviewed on: 3/27/2006

Product Type:Coffee Drinks; Container: 11 fl oz (325 mL) plastic
BevNET Review: The second flavor in the Cool Java lineup is Mocha Cappuccino. Being a a cappuccino-style product it's no surprise that this product has a milky body. There's a slight bit of aftertaste from the pasteurization, but it's still far better than competing products. The coffee flavor is clean and smooth, which is no surprise given Kan-Pak's experience with coffee products for food service. Plus, there's the mocha flavor, which gives the product a sweet flavor that is quite enjoyable. The proprietary plastic bottle -- the first we've seen outside of the dairy case for the coffee category -- is well designed and feels good in your hand. The full wrap packaging is attractive and clean, but it did make the closure more difficult to open. All in all, this product has all of the technical aspects needed to compete with the Starbucks brands. Definitely has a shot.Reviewed on: 3/24/2006

Product Type:Coffee Drinks; Container: 11 fl oz (325 mL) plastic
BevNET Review: French Vanilla Cappuccino is definitely our favorite flavor of the Cool Java line. The use of vanilla certainly helps quite a bit as it seems to hide the flavor of the milk, which has acquired a burnt flavor during pasteurization. The coffee flavor is mild overall, which makes the product live true to its cappuccino name. French Vanilla Cappuccino is sweet -- almost too sweet -- but we could definitely see ourselves consuming this product again. The biggest question for this product is whether or not the packaging, which is colorful and clean, has the ability to stand out in a category that is dominated by the juggernaut that is Starbucks. Still, it's an enjoyable product that will, at an absolute minimum, function as a good extension to Kan-Pak's existing business. Can it go beyond that? It can certainly go head-to-head from a techinical point of view -- the rest is up to Kan-Pak.Reviewed on: 3/24/2006