Southeast Asia's coffee buzz brews opportunity for Suntory, Nestle

Region's growing middle class dumps sweet teas for low-sugar drinks

20211118N Rabbit cafe

A woman drinks her coffee at a rabbit cafe in Bangkok. © Reuters

JUNYA HEMMI, YUKI KITAHARA and MARIMI KISHIMOTO, Nikkei staff writers

TOKYO/BANGKOK-- Some of the world's biggest beverage groups smell fresh growth opportunities in Southeast Asia, where health-conscious consumers are passing over customary sweet teas for low- or no-sugar coffees.

Japan's Suntory Beverage & Food introduced its Boss coffee brand -- known in Japan for commercials starring American actor Tommy Lee Jones -- to Thailand this month, offering three flavors, including black.

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