[3]

The history of POKKA begins with Toshikage Tanida, a Japanese entrepreneur from Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture.

In 1957, Tanida founded Nikka Lemon Co., Ltd., initially focusing on lemon beverages. The company’s early development was shaped by Tanida’s experience operating a bar, where he observed that while lemon-based drinks were popular, fresh lemons were relatively expensive and difficult to source in Japan at the time. This insight led him to develop convenient lemon products.[4]

The company was renamed POKKA Lemon Co., Ltd. in 1966.

The name POKKA itself has an unusual origin. According to company records, Tanida encountered the word “Knickerbocker” in a golf magazine and experimented with its sound, eventually arriving at “Pokka.” The name was subsequently adopted as part of the company’s identity.[5]

Although POKKA began as a producer of lemon products, it gradually expanded into other beverage categories.

A pivotal moment occurred in 1972, when the company launched POKKA 100 Lemon, a 100% lemon juice product, alongside its canned coffee.[6]

The introduction of canned coffee proved particularly significant. During a winter drive from Nagoya to Osaka, Tanida observed drivers consuming cold beverages despite freezing conditions, prompting him to consider how hot coffee could be made conveniently available to travellers. This idea led to the introduction of POKKA’s hot-and-cold beverage vending machines in 1973.[7]

This innovation became central to POKKA’s identity, distinguishing the brand not only as a beverage manufacturer but also as a developer of new consumption channels for ready-to-drink products.

POKKA’s relationship with Singapore began in 1977, when POKKA CORPORATION (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD. was established at Chin Bee Road.[9]

The Singapore facility initially produced POKKA canned coffee. Over subsequent decades, POKKA Singapore expanded both its manufacturing capabilities and product portfolio, moving beyond coffee to include tea, juice, isotonic drinks, carbonated beverages, and other categories.

Singapore eventually grew into far more than an overseas market. Today, POKKA Singapore manages the brand’s international business outside Japan, giving the Singapore operation a strategic role within the wider POKKA organisation.[12]

One of POKKA’s most important products in Singapore is green tea, particularly POKKA Jasmine Green Tea.

The company launched Jasmine Green Tea in cans in 1998, followed by a bottled version in 2000.[8]

This product became strongly associated with the POKKA brand in Singapore. The tea portfolio has since expanded to include:

• Jasmine Green Tea
• Japanese Green Tea / Sencha
• Oolong Tea
• Houjicha
• Chrysanthemum Tea
• Peach Oolong Tea
• Lychee Oolong Tea
• Ice Lemon Tea
• Ice Peach Tea
• Premium tea products

The current Singapore portfolio also includes no-sugar and reduced-sugar variants.[23]

POKKA aligns closely with Singapore’s well-developed ready-to-drink beverage culture. Its products are designed for convenience and are widely available through supermarkets, convenience stores, vending machines, food outlets, and other retail channels without the need for preparation.

The company’s Singapore operation describes POKKA as a leader in the RTD market, identifying RTD green tea, coffee, and non-chilled juice drinks among its leading categories.[12]

POKKA’s historical connection with vending machines remains notable. The company states there are more than 700 POKKA vending machines in Singapore, underscoring the continued importance of vending to its distribution model.[10]

Today, POKKA’s offerings extend considerably beyond its original lemon-beverage business.

Tea

Tea is arguably the brand’s most recognisable category in Singapore. Examples include:

• Jasmine Green Tea
• Japanese Green Tea
• Oolong Tea
• Houjicha
• Chrysanthemum Tea
• Peach Oolong Tea
• Lychee Oolong Tea
• Premium Afternoon Tea
• Ice Lemon Tea
• Ice Peach Tea

POKKA emphasises authentic brewing methods and Japanese-inspired tea products.[11]

Coffee

Coffee is another historically important category. POKKA’s Japanese operation launched canned coffee in 1972, marking one of the company’s earliest major innovations in RTD beverages. Its Singapore range has included products such as Milk Coffee, Premium Milk Coffee, and other coffee drinks.[17]

Juice

Juice remains linked to POKKA’s original lemon heritage. The portfolio includes fruit-based beverages as well as products such as Pokka 100 Lemon and Sparklin’ Fuji Apple.[13]

Isotonic and functional beverages

POKKA also offers beverages intended for hydration and active lifestyles, including isotonic and functional drinks.[14]

Milk beverages

The portfolio includes milk-based drinks, particularly coffee and tea products.[17]

Asian beverages

POKKA produces drinks inspired by traditional Asian flavours, including chrysanthemum and other tea-based beverages.[15]

Water and sparkling drinks

The current portfolio additionally includes water and sparkling beverages.[16]

POKKA is part of the Sapporo Group, a Japanese corporate group best known internationally for Sapporo beer.

The relationship developed in stages. In 2009, POKKA Corporation formed a capital and business alliance with Sapporo Holdings. Sapporo subsequently increased its ownership, and POKKA became a consolidated subsidiary.[18]

In 2013, POKKA Corporation and Sapporo Beverage were integrated to form POKKA SAPPORO Food & Beverage Ltd.[20]

Today, POKKA SAPPORO Food & Beverage oversees food and soft-drink businesses within the Sapporo Group, while POKKA Singapore operates as a key international arm of the brand.[19]

POKKA Singapore occupies a distinctive position within the POKKA organisation, functioning as more than a local distributor.

According to the company, POKKA Singapore manages the POKKA business in Singapore as well as international markets outside Japan.[20]

This makes Singapore an international hub for the brand. The company has developed distribution and logistics capabilities to support overseas expansion while maintaining manufacturing and quality standards under the guidance of its Japanese parent organisation.[21]

POKKA products are sold across numerous international markets, with the company’s current Singapore site stating a presence in 40+ countries.[22]

POKKA’s current brand philosophy centres on “Genuine Vitality For Life.”

This concept holds that beverages should do more than provide refreshment; they should contribute to everyday vitality and lifestyles. The company emphasises:

• Quality
• Authentic ingredients
• Innovation
• Convenience
• Health and wellness
• Continuous improvement

Its wellness positioning has become increasingly visible through zero-sugar and reduced-sugar products. POKKA also highlights products carrying Singapore’s Healthier Choice Symbol.[23]

Health-conscious products have become an increasingly important part of POKKA’s portfolio.

The company describes its objective as providing beverages that combine taste with healthier choices, rather than treating health and enjoyment as mutually exclusive.[7]

Its current range includes:

• No-sugar green teas
• No-sugar Japanese teas
• Reduced-sugar teas
• Reduced-sugar milk coffee
• Reduced-sugar sparkling drinks
• Functional/isotonic beverages

This approach is particularly relevant in Singapore, where government initiatives have encouraged reductions in sugar consumption and promoted healthier beverage choices. Several POKKA tea, coffee, and other beverage products appear on the Health Promotion Board’s Healthier Choice Symbol list.[23]

[24]

POKKA’s identity combines Japanese beverage heritage with Singaporean market success.

Japanese heritage

The brand originated from Japanese food-and-beverage innovation, particularly in lemon products, canned coffee, and vending technology.

Singapore identity

Despite its Japanese origins, POKKA has become deeply embedded in Singapore’s beverage landscape. Its green tea, coffee, and other drinks are common everyday beverages in the country.

RTD specialisation

Rather than focusing primarily on restaurants or freshly prepared beverages, POKKA has built its business around ready-to-drink convenience.

Broad portfolio

The brand has evolved from a lemon specialist into a diversified beverage company covering tea, coffee, juice, functional beverages, milk drinks, water, and sparkling beverages.

Health-conscious evolution

The introduction and promotion of zero- and reduced-sugar products reflect changing consumer expectations.[25]

As of 2026, POKKA can be understood as a Japanese-origin, Singapore-centred international RTD beverage brand operating within the Sapporo Group.

Its strongest identity remains associated with everyday beverages—particularly green tea, coffee, and juice—while its portfolio increasingly emphasises wellness and reduced-sugar choices.

POKKA Singapore describes itself as a market leader in several RTD categories and states its products are available in 40+ countries.[12]

The parent company’s broader philosophy also increasingly focuses on using ingredients such as lemons and other plant-based ingredients to create value beyond taste.[21]

POKKA has undergone three major transformations:

Lemon beverage maker → Japanese RTD beverage innovator → Singapore-based international beverage brand

While its roots are Japanese, POKKA’s modern international identity is strongly shaped by Singapore.

1. POKKA Who We Are
2. POKKA Singapore establishes a new five-storey state-of-the-art building that will bring the company into the next decade and beyond
3. Pokka History
4. COMPANY PROFILE
5. Company｜POKKA SAPPORO Food & Beverage
6. POKKA Products
7. Our Wellness
8. Message from the President & Corporate Philosophy｜POKKA SAPPORO Food & Beverage
9. POKKA PTE. LTD. (197700135E) – Singapore Company
10. Speech by MOS Low Yen Ling at POKKA Headquarters Groundbreaking Ceremony | Ministry of Trade and Industry
11. POKKA Singapore establishes a new five-storey state-of-the-art building that will bring the company into the next decade and beyond | Singapore EDB
12. Markets – Singapore | POKKA Singapore
13. ポッカサッポロフード＆ビバレッジ株式会社に関するお知らせ｜ニュースリリース | 企業情報｜ポッカサッポロフード＆ビバレッジ
14. POKKA Family
15. POKKA
16. POKKA
17. Our Products – Milk l POKKA Singapore
18. POKKA Who We Are
19. POKKA Singapore | Healthy Ready-To-Drink Beverages
20. English｜POKKA SAPPORO Food & Beverage
21. ポッカコーヒー | ポッカサッポロ
22. 「ポッカコーヒー」はいつ発売されたのですか？｜ よくあるご質問 ｜ ポッカサッポロ
23. Pokka | All The Latest Products | NTUC FairPrice
24. POKKA PTE. LTD. (197700135E) – MANUF OF BEVERAGES – Singapore Company
25. POKKA PTE LTD | LinkedIn