Koiwai Dairy Products Company, Limited, a group company of Kirin Holdings Company, Limited., will launch “Blissful Cream Yogurt for Gourmet Fan 400g” on October 6, 2026. The company will market it as a “nighttime treat," proposing a new way to enjoy yogurt.

On October 6, Koiwai Dairy, a Kirin Holdings group company, will introduce “Blissful Cream Yogurt for Gourmet Fan 400g” to the market. This new product is the company’s top-tier brand, made with fresh cream and priced at 584 yen (including tax). To be “a regular treat that you can enjoy,” the package size also increased from 350g to 400g.

The key feature of the new product is that it uses fresh cream produced at the Koiwai Factory, making it a “Nighttime Treat Yogurt” with the rich, deep flavor of natural milk that gently unwinds the mind. The main target is people in their 40s and 50s who have a strong interest in food and have discerning tastes. It is meant to be enjoyed as a nighttime treat when they wind down after a busy day. The Koiwai Factory in Iwate Prefecture handles the production: raw milk is separated into cream and skim milk, the skim milk is concentrated, and then the cream is blended back in. The meticulous manufacturing process brings out the rich, deep natural flavor of the milk along with a gentle tartness and a smooth mouthfeel, offering a relaxing taste experience.

The product name contains the word “Blissful” because of its rich, full-bodied flavor that evokes a “sense of deep contentment.” Miu Amano of the Marketing Department explains.

“People enjoy yogurt in a variety of settings, not just in the morning. Customers prefer our current ‘Gourmet Fan’ line (scheduled to remain on sale until early October 2026) particularly in the evenings compared to other products. We hope that the new product’s rich, full-bodied flavor will encourage customers to consider yogurt as an alternative to ice cream as a dessert in the evenings.”

But why a “yogurt treat” at night? According to the company's survey, 74% of people eat dessert in the evening. Many do so to relax or relieve fatigue. The survey also found that 57 out of 100 respondents “sometimes resist the urge to eat dessert at night” with health reasons being the most common reason. This led the company to decide to pitch Gourmet Fan as an evening treat that’s easy to incorporate into one’s routine.
*Source: Koiwai Dairy survey

Currently, the most popular dessert choice is ice cream. “Blissful Cream Yogurt for Gourmet Fan 400g” features rich, deep-flavored dairy that meets the standards of ice cream. It can be enjoyed by consumers who are conscious of their nighttime eating habits and lets them control portion sizes and customize servings. Compared with many other nighttime desserts, this new yogurt fits more easily into one’s evening ritual.

While yogurt is generally thought of as a morning food, it is actually often said to be most effective when consumed after a meal, particularly between 10:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m., the period known as the “golden time for the gut.” So, eating yogurt two to three hours before bedtime is gaining attention as a lifestyle habit that supports gut health. *Information regarding the optimal timing for yogurt consumption is based on “Yoruguroto” (pun on "nighttime yogurt") by J-Milk (Japan Dairy Association).

With this in mind, Amano says, “We will develop ‘Blissful Cream Yogurt for Gourmet Fan 400g’ into a new evening ritual that helps our customers end their day on a positive and happy note.”

During the development of this new product, what aspects did they especially focus on? As they perfected the product as an evening treat, Koiwai strengthened its inherent craftsmanship and deepened its unique approach to flavor, prioritizing the natural taste of milk. The result was a rich, natural milk flavor, a smooth, velvety texture, a light finish, and a shimmering, pleasing appearance.

The rich, natural milk flavor was achieved by using cream produced at the Koiwai Factory and avoiding the skim milk powder used in the previous formulation. Removing the skim milk powder also reduces grittiness and delivers a smooth, velvety texture. It also eliminates the powder aftertaste and leaves a clean finish with a light finishing note. Furthermore, separating raw milk and concentrating the skim milk gives the product a shimmering, pleasing appearance. “When I saw the finished product, I was truly delighted because it went beyond my expectations,” says Ritsuko Suzuki of the Product Development Unit at the company’s Technology Development Center.

“We’ve changed the ingredients in the new recipe, and compared with the pre-renewal recipe that used skim milk powder, the new recipe allowed us to minimize the heating time,” Suzuki explains. “This enabled us to create a flavor that brings out the real, natural flavor of milk. In addition, we selected lactic acid bacteria for fermentation that provide a satisfying texture and flavor. It gives our customers a feeling of satisfaction and joy associated with a special treat."

“Blissful Cream Yogurt for Gourmet Fan 400g” explores a new path as a nighttime treat. In conclusion, the two people who worked on this project shared the following messages with readers:

“This is a new challenge for our company. We hope that our yogurt will play a role as a nighttime dessert that makes people relax and relieves their stress.” (Amano)

“This product showcases our commitment to creating foods that highlight the true flavors of the ingredients. Our hope is that many customers will enjoy this special nighttime treat.” (Suzuki)