The Story Behind the Development of 7-Eleven’s Popular Product “SEVEN CAFÉ”! The Person in Charge Shares Their Passion and Commitment

In our previous article, we featured sandwiches from 7-Eleven, highlighting their convenience and appeal.

This time, as the third installment, we’re shining a spotlight on one of their most popular products — SEVEN CAFÉ!

7-Eleven’s SEVEN CAFÉ has become a favorite among many people for offering authentic coffee that can be enjoyed easily, even during a busy day.

We interviewed the person in charge at 7-Eleven to find out how SEVEN CAFÉ was created and what kind of care and passion went into its development.

☕ What is SEVEN CAFÉ?

SEVEN CAFÉ is 7-Eleven’s original coffee brand.

Each cup is brewed using freshly ground coffee beans with a dedicated coffee machine installed in the store, allowing customers to easily enjoy freshly brewed coffee.

Product Lineup at SEVEN CAFÉ

SEVEN CAFÉ offers a total of six types of coffee: three iced and three hot options. (Availability may vary depending on the region and season.)

Customers can choose between two sizes: regular and large. (Some products may not be available in both sizes.)

【Iced】

① Iced Coffee

 

A fragrant and rich cup made from a blend of Arabica beans from four countries (Guatemala, Tanzania, Colombia, Brazil). By increasing the ratio of Guatemalan beans, it brings out a sweet and rich aroma, featuring a refreshing aftertaste and deep richness.

【Price】
Regular 112 yen (tax included 120.96 yen)
Large 195 yen (tax included 210.60 yen)

② Iced Café Latte

Made with SEVEN CAFÉ’s special “Rich Thick Milk,” which combines milk from Hokkaido with fresh cream and other dairy ingredients from Hokkaido. This cup offers a perfect balance of the sweetness of milk and the roasted aroma of coffee. Even when chilled with ice, the flavor remains rich and full-bodied with a refreshing finish.

【Price】
Regular 223 yen (tax included 240.84 yen)
Large 278 yen (tax included 300.24 yen)

③ Kilimanjaro Blend (Iced)

A premium cup made with over 51% Kilimanjaro beans from Tanzania, roasted deeply in Italian roast style. It has a refreshing feel and is easy to drink in large gulps.

【Price】
Regular 130 yen (tax included 140.40 yen)
Large 223 yen (tax included 240.84 yen)

【Hot】

④ Hot Coffee

 

Like the iced coffee, this blend uses Arabica beans from four countries (Guatemala, Tanzania, Colombia, Brazil). By increasing the proportion of Tanzanian beans, it achieves a gorgeous aroma and a deep, rich flavor. It features a well-balanced bitterness and acidity with a clean aftertaste.

【Price】
Regular 112 yen (tax included 120.96 yen)
Large 167 yen (tax included 180.36 yen)

⑤ Hot Café Latte

Using the same SEVEN CAFÉ exclusive “Rich Thick Milk” as the iced café latte. This cup highlights the sweetness of milk and the roasted aroma of coffee. It is characterized by fine froth and a smooth, creamy texture.

【Price】
Regular 176 yen (tax included 190.08 yen)
Large 232 yen (tax included 250.56 yen)

⑥ Kilimanjaro Blend (Hot) 

Like the iced Kilimanjaro blend, this uses Tanzanian Kilimanjaro beans generously. It features a rich body, a fragrant aroma, and a clean, sharp aftertaste.

【Price】
Regular 130 yen (tax included 140.40 yen)
Large 195 yen (tax included 210.60 yen)

*Tax-included prices are shown with the reduced tax rate of 8%.
*Images are for illustrative purposes only.
*Product specifications and prices may vary depending on the region.
*Some products may not be available at all stores.

🎤 Interview with a 7-Eleven Representative! The Secrets and Passion Behind the Deliciousness

We spoke with a 7-Eleven representative to learn more.

Q1. What inspired the development of SEVEN CAFÉ?

A. The development started from the desire to offer authentic coffee even at convenience stores. SEVEN CAFÉ was born with the goal of providing busy people a place where they can easily enjoy high-quality coffee.

Q2. What do you focus on most?

A. The focus of SEVEN CAFÉ is its quality. From selecting coffee beans to roasting and brewing, thorough quality control is conducted at every step. Especially, coffee beans are carefully sourced from selected regions and roasting techniques are used to bring out their full characteristics.

Also, for iced coffee, high-purity ice is used, and it is designed so that the melting ice does not affect the flavor.

Q3. Were there any challenges during the development?

A. During the development of SEVEN CAFÉ, it was especially difficult to balance the roasting and brewing of the coffee beans, so we repeated many trial versions. Additionally, we had to devise a way to serve the coffee in stores. We went through a lot of trial and error to develop a machine that staff could operate easily.

📍 Where to Buy?

SEVEN CAFÉ is available at 7-Eleven stores nationwide across Japan.

You can enjoy authentic coffee anytime at 7-Eleven locations found everywhere—from city streets to tourist spots, train stations, airports, and around hotels.

👉 Find the nearest store on Google Maps

*Please check the official website or other sources for availability of SEVEN CAFÉ.
*Some products may not be available at all stores or may not be released in certain sales areas. Also, due to unexpectedly high demand, products listed may sometimes be discontinued. Please contact the store directly regarding product availability.

🧭 Easy and worry-free even for first-timers! How to buy coffee

① Purchase a cup at the register

The buying process differs for iced and hot drinks.

For iced drinks: Take a special cup with ice from the freezer case inside the store and purchase it at the register.

For hot drinks: Tell the cashier your desired product and size, such as “A regular size hot coffee, please,” and purchase the special cup.

② Set the cup in the coffee machine

For iced drinks: Peel off the lid and place the cup in the machine.

For hot drinks: Place the cup in the machine as it is.

③ Select the purchased product (type and size) on the machine

Left: Button-type machine　Right: Touch-panel machine

There are two types of SEVEN CAFÉ machines: touch-panel and button-type. Since the usage differs for each, please be careful.

【For Touch-Panel Machines】

With the touch-panel type, simply setting the cup in the machine automatically detects the coffee type and size.

Additionally, for iced coffee and hot coffee only, you can choose the coffee strength from the following three levels:

• Light: A gentle taste with a refreshing, light flavor.
  

• Regular: A standard flavor with a well-balanced aroma and richness.
  

• Strong: A deep, roasted aroma with a rich and full-bodied taste.

*The amount of coffee beans is the same for all strengths; the difference comes from the brewing method.
*The amount of coffee beans is the same for all strengths; the difference comes from the brewing method.
*Strength selection is available only for iced coffee (R and L) and hot coffee (R and L). Iced café latte (R and L), hot café latte (R and L), Kilimanjaro blend iced (R and L), and Kilimanjaro blend hot (R and L) are excluded.

【For Button-Type Machines】

With button-type machines, you need to manually select the coffee type and size by pressing the corresponding button.
Please carefully check the button labels to avoid pressing the wrong one.

Also, café latte can only be made using the button-type machine.
You cannot make café latte with the touch-panel machine, so if you want a café latte, be sure to use the button-type machine.

*You cannot select the coffee strength with button-type machines.

④ Press the button to start brewing

⑤ After brewing is complete, take lids, sugar, and other items

Once the brewing is finished, take your coffee from beside machine and pick up a lid, sugar, syrup, milk, or other items as needed from the side of the machine.

🎯 Summary: Enjoy Authentic Coffee at 7-Eleven

7-Eleven’s “SEVEN CAFÉ” lets you easily enjoy authentic coffee, making it perfect for a quick break during your travels.

Next time you visit Japan, be sure to try a cup of coffee at SEVEN CAFÉ!