Strong Zero® is a drink made with innovative technology from Japan. For Suntory, it wasn’t just about offering a can with a maximum amount of alcohol — that wouldn't have made sense. Enter nitrogen and great ideas!
After the test phase, Suntory concluded that a Shochu-based drink (Shochu is a Japanese distilled alcohol, comparable to vodka) with added fruit would be very interesting from a flavor perspective. Thus, they began working on various recipes but quickly realized that simply adding fruit juice to Shochu would not only increase the sugar but also mechanically raise the calorie count.
Modern consumers actively seek out flavor and quality but also look for a product that contains no more calories than necessary. With this in mind, Suntory developed a unique manufacturing process using liquid nitrogen.
They discovered that by immersing fresh fruit in nitrogen, they could lock in all the flavor without needing to preserve the juice, which is high in calories.
The "-196°C" method was born. This allowed them to extract the desired results from the fruit without the added calories. This process became known in connection with highballs (spirits mixed with soda or mineral water) and Shochu. Over time, the term "CHU-HI" evolved into a codename for this concept ("CHU" for ShoCHU and "HI" for HIghball).
For over ten years, Suntory has produced a variety of Strong Zero® fruit beverages, often depending on the season. Their bestseller remains the Strong Zero® Double Lemon, as it has proven that citrus fruits are particularly well-suited to this unique production method.
The video below illustrates this unique process very well!
Ingredients: Water, natural fruit extracts (1%), acidulant, sweeteners (acesulfame K, sucralose), carbon dioxide, flavorings.
Nutritional values per 100ml: Energy 226kJ/54kcal, Protein 0g, Fat 0g, Carbohydrates <0.05g, Salt 18-39 mg. Alcohol 9% vol. Consume very fresh, ideally before the date shown on the package.
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