Discovering Invercote, with its ability to deliver stunningly vibrant colours, allowed us to bring our brand’s commitment to life through packaging.
—Yuki Ito, Brand Manager, COCO KYOTO
FOUNDED IN 2016 in Japan’s ancient capital of Kyoto, COCO KYOTO is a specialty brand dedicated to bean-to-bar and raw chocolate. The company selects ingredients that are gentle on the body—eschewing refined sugar, for example—while bringing out the full flavour and nutritional value of cacao. With its uncompromising commitment to both “deliciousness” and “well-being,” COCO KYOTO has been recognized for excellence, winning awards at international chocolate competitions for six consecutive years.
In August 2024, the brand introduced its Ganache Sand Cookie, which quickly captured attention not only for its taste but also for its elegant design. We sat down with brand manager Yuki Ito to hear the story behind its packaging.
What is your commitment to product packaging?
“When designing a packaging, I want to incorporate a gentle, pearlescent sheen to evoke a sense of luxury. The first impression is vital for differentiation, but the content always matters most. That’s why I continually balance visual appeal with considerations of quality and cost.”
Why did you choose Invercote?
“It was introduced to me by a paper specialist (Takeo) in Tokyo. Invercote is reasonably priced compared to high-end fine papers, but what impressed me most was how beautifully it reproduced the pearl ink we wanted to use. That was the deciding factor. And since our brand values sustainability, the fact that Invercote is environmentally conscious was another big reason.”
You customized the ink, didn’t you?
“The usual violet pearl ink looked too flashy under store lighting. So we adjusted the formulation—toning down the purple while enhancing the pearlescent effect. Combined with Invercote’s vivid colour expression, it gave us a lustrous, elegant, and premium package. It also fits perfectly with our natural brand concept. I feel it expresses deliciousness, beauty, and gentleness all at once.”
How have customers reacted?
“We’ve had wonderful feedback. People say it looks ‘beautiful’ or ‘cute.’ We sell the cookies in gift boxes, but also individually wrapped, each with a cacao illustration. That way, even a single cookie works as a little present. Many customers buy them as souvenirs or gifts, and in less than a year it has become our second-best-selling product.”
Beyond appearance, what else matters in packaging?
“Ease of use is a key element in paper packaging. If the paper is too thick and stiff, it’s difficult for customers to open; if it’s too thin and soft, the shape quickly collapses. The packages are delivered flat as sheets and then hand-assembled by our staff in the shop. We tested them over and over, carefully checking both the functionality and the beauty of the finished look.”
What are your future plans?
“The Ganache Sand Cookie is something we worked on for nearly a year, from ganache to cookie dough to packaging. Right now, we have three flavors—Plain Chocolate, Uji Matcha, and Strawberry—each with a different colour for its package. We’re also thinking about seasonal limited editions, like for Valentine’s Day. Paper packaging is easier to store than tins, so even if we add more products, we can manage it easily.”