Shams El-Mutwalli Dubai

Reinventing our definition of cola, Japanese company Biground Co., Ltd, is promoting Yakushima Millennium Craft Cola–a recipe made using herbs and oils retrieved from Japan’s Yakushima island.

The cola takes the form of a syrup, made using cardamom, cloves and cinnamon as well as “ultra-soft” water from the island, priced at 2,900 yen ($27) on the Japanese crowdfunding website, Makuake.

People interested in funding the project can expect to receive a sample of the product to taste, larger bulk of 5 and 10 pieces are also available.. Biground even listed a delivery service that promises monthly deliveries over the course of a year.

 Biground is maximizing their offering by also selling raw ingredients like various herbs, and sugars from Yakushima for 2,500 yen ($23), that can be added to meals.

The Makuake campaign will be open from April 14 to May 24,  and the brand has set a target amount of 500,000 yen which they have surpassed.

The syrup can be enjoyed by adding carbonated water, and lemon or the syrup can be added to dishes and drinks.

Yakushima island is enveloped with ancient trees dating back thousands of years resulting in UNESCO designating the island as a World Heritage Site.

The island has a small population of around 13,000 people and is popular for its many hiking path and has also gained growing recognition due to its association with Hayao Miyazaki’s popular film “Princess Mononoke” as the setting of the film closely resembles Yakushima.