BOSS Caffeine

Released on March 28, 2023, two new high-caffeine drinks, "BOSS Caffeine," were launched by the coffee brand "BOSS." Although the product doesn’t specifically label itself as an energy drink, it was not initially planned to be featured on Energy Drink Mania.

However, following a review request, I decided to give it a shot from the perspective of an energy drink enthusiast who has tried various energy drinks both domestically and internationally, and I'll be reviewing it accordingly.

*On June 27, 2023, a third flavor of BOSS Caffeine, "BOSS Caffeine Almond Cafe," was released. This one also contains 200mg of caffeine and maintains a high-quality taste. Despite facing significant backlash in the media, the release of a new flavor suggests that the product is both popular and has sparked much interest. I have also added a review of the Almond Cafe flavor.

*On September 12, 2023, a new "Cafe Mocha" flavor was added along with a design refresh. The review has been updated to include this new version, and you can also check out the changes in the design evolution since the launch of BOSS Caffeine.

Flavor of Boss Caffeine White Cafe

The scent is a sweet, coffee-like aroma. Upon sipping, it leaves a pleasant bitter coffee flavor, wrapped in the soft sweetness of milk. Japanese canned coffee is always reassuring with its consistent, well-balanced taste that suits local preferences.

The milk’s sweetness remains just the right amount of richness, with no lingering aftertaste. The mild sweetness and the coffee's richness create a perfectly smooth and delightful taste, unmistakably characteristic of Japanese canned coffee.

Flavor of Boss Caffeine Caramel Cafe

The Caramel Cafe features a distinctive caramel aroma. The color is almost identical to that of the White Cafe.

This flavor leans more heavily on the caramel, with a slightly subdued sweetness. You can enjoy the rich coffee flavor along with the roasted sweetness of caramel.

Both flavors maintain the reliable, great taste typical of Japanese canned coffee, with no room for disappointment.

If I had to choose, I’d likely drink Caramel Cafe daily and switch to the sweeter White Cafe when I need a pick-me-up, depending on the mood.

Flavor of Boss Caffeine Almond Cafe

The Almond Cafe, released in June 2023, is the third flavor of Boss Caffeine. It attracted quite a bit of attention on social media and even got picked up in the news, which might have contributed to its release. Let’s take a taste.

Opening the can, you’re greeted with the rich, toasted scent of almonds.

Upon tasting, the almond scent is strong, but there’s no almond flavor in the taste itself. Instead, it’s a sweet coffee with milk. There’s no actual almond in the ingredients, only flavoring, so it’s not overly distinctive in taste.

Even though the almond flavor doesn’t come through in the taste, the aroma is well-balanced, providing a satisfying experience of almond-like flavor.

The aftertaste is full of coffee flavor, with the almond aroma fading away, making the "Almond Cafe" name a fitting representation of the flavor.

Flavor of Boss Caffeine Cafe Mocha

Released on September 12, 2023, Cafe Mocha is the fourth addition to the Boss Caffeine line. The previously available White Cafe will continue to be sold, with the new Cafe Mocha flavor added, along with a major design refresh. Let’s try it out.

Opening the can, a sweet, rich cocoa aroma fills the air. The color is a deep brown, just as you’d expect from a Cafe Mocha.

Upon tasting, the smooth cocoa flavor blends with a modest sweetness, while the roasted coffee flavor lingers. The coffee’s bitterness is a bit more subdued.

The use of cocoa powder gives it a creamy texture that’s very enjoyable.

Additionally, the new formula includes glucose, which adds to the overall richness.

Energy Ingredients of Boss Caffeine

Each can contains 200mg of caffeine. This makes it a high-caffeine product in the 245ml can size, ranking among the top caffeine content in energy drinks released in Japan.
⇒ See the caffeine content ranking for energy drinks in Japan

In this review, I drank two cans at once, which means I consumed 400mg of caffeine in total. The safe daily caffeine limit is around 400mg, which means you should be mindful of your total intake if you plan on drinking this regularly.

With 200mg of caffeine per can, priced around ¥130, it’s an affordable option for those looking to consume caffeine. For coffee lovers and those who use caffeine as a productivity booster, it’s important to monitor your total intake and avoid drinking too much in one day.

Related Articles

In addition to caffeine, it also contains 0.7-1.6g of Palatinose, a slowly absorbed sugar, which is also found in ZONe Energy Drinks from the same Suntory Foods.

Design of Boss Caffeine

The can has a smooth, matte texture with a beautifully balanced design. The logo and product name are well proportioned, making it very stylish and inviting.

This 250ml can has a more typical energy drink size rather than the "long can" used for regular canned coffee.

The color change in "CAFFEINE" on the can symbolizes the idea of being able to "do (CAN)" something, reflecting the message of energy and capability.

The back of the can includes icons and English text that evoke a more energy drink, sports drink, or functional beverage vibe, adding a sophisticated, overseas-style touch.

The gold top and black tab combination add a premium feel that stands out like an energy drink.

The nutrition information is presented in English, with an import-style sticker added for a unique touch.

New Release of Boss Caffeine

In June 2023, Boss Caffeine introduced the Almond Cafe, which removed the phrase "Delicious Caffeine" from the front of the can, and instead displayed the 200mg caffeine content in larger text. This change likely reflects the concerns raised about the high caffeine content in the product, as highlighted in news outlets.

Interestingly, the phrase "Delicious Caffeine" had become a topic of ridicule online, with people joking that it was irresponsible to promote the consumption of large amounts of caffeine. Despite this, Boss Caffeine offers a delicious, reliable canned coffee that provides a proper caffeine boost.

⇒ See the caffeine content ranking for energy drinks in Japan

At this point, I hope Boss Caffeine will continue to expand its lineup. There’s definitely a demand for these kinds of products.

*September 2023 update: As mentioned in the June review, the new Cafe Mocha flavor has now been added. The series exceeded 20 million units sold just two months after its debut.

September 2023: Boss Caffeine Design Update

On September 12, 2023, Boss Caffeine underwent a design update. The Boss logo was shrunk, and the can design became more minimalistic, focusing almost entirely on the 200mg caffeine content. This marked a shift towards a more straightforward, functional look.

The previous sleek design, with careful attention to text and spacing, has now been replaced with a simpler layout. The focus on caffeine content makes the can look more like a private label (PB) product.

The back design, which once had a stylish English font,

Everyone's BOSS Caffeine taste and ingredient opinions and ratings

缶コーヒーマニア ：2023年4月19日

★★★★★

味を美味しく、カフェインを多くとりたい人向けの缶コーヒーですね。
ネットではあまり評判が良くないようですが、こちらのレビュー記事は的を得ていてボスカフェインの良さが伝わりました。
どちらも大変美味しく、変な批判に負けず長く販売されることを願います。

Post a review or evaluation

Name

Voice

BOSS Caffeine's 5-point scale for taste and ingredients
★ ★★ ★★★ ★★★★ ★★★★★

Captcha:

画像の中に見える文字を入力してください。

Voice