Nescafe introduced self-heating coffee which was quickly withdrawn amid rumours of potential hazard. However, on trawling the internet (sad, innit?), I found this clipping which suggests that Nescafe Instant Hot Coffee was only a trial anyway!
Is this the end of hot coffee in a can?
Nestlé’s ‘Hot When you Want’ self-heating coffee can is no longer in production. The new can, developed via a collaboration between Crown Cork & Seal, Thermotic Developments and Corus, was launched in the UK to a test market in August 2001 followed by a national roll out.
Although the test was considered successful, revised specifications, improved reliability and costings are issues which have halted further production.
The heating performance of the can needs to be addressed as the temperature increase is not sufficient in cold weather. The optimum temperature for storing is room temperature (approximately 20ºC) which results in a final temperature of the coffee, once the can is activated of around 60ºC. Pressing the button on the base of the can allowed water to enter an internal heat engine. The water mixes with quicklime stored in the heat engine creating a simple exothermic reaction, which in turn heated the coffee.
Nestlé said that the trial of Nescafé’s first ever self-heating coffee in a can came to an end ‘with exciting learnings for Nestlé’s innovation team’.
The company said the test was successful in showing the huge potential for the product. “Trial and awareness quickly reached high levels having overcome many technical and commercial challenges. The can has continually dominated the headlines and sparked debate, proving the interest level in the concept,” a statement said.
The marketing director responsible for the product, Jon Walsh, said, “Consumer reaction to the trial has been very encouraging and the product has generated continual interest. We are now looking to modify the execution so that we can continue to develop this exciting new concept"