Japanese food company Nissin Foods has introduced a new version of its iconic Cup Noodle that can be prepared with cold water, responding to increasingly severe summer heat and rising concerns about global warming. The product, launched after five years of confidential development, uses a patented “cold rehydrate method” that allows the noodles to soften without boiling water. This innovation means consumers can hydrate the noodles in about five minutes, compared to the usual three minutes required with hot water.

Nissin, which first released Cup Noodles in 1971 and markets its products in over 100 countries, currently plans to sell the cold-water variant only in Japan. The new offering comes in two flavors — spicy kimchi and chicken salt lemon — and is priced approximately ¥37 ($0.22) higher than its traditional counterparts.

The introduction reflects broader efforts within Japan and worldwide to provide low-cost solutions to rising temperatures. Alongside Nissin’s product, other innovations include jackets fitted with built-in fans for outdoor workers, heat-shield parasols developed by textile company Toray, and a misting water bottle marketed by entrepreneur Daisaku Shoji. Additionally, Japanese tech firm Navitime recently launched an app named Alkoo that guides users along the shadiest routes for walking.

The timing of the launch coincides with Japan’s Meteorological Agency issuing a three-month forecast predicting another intense summer. On the same day, temperatures in three Japanese cities reached 40°C, prompting the agency to designate these conditions as “kokushobi,” a newly coined term meaning “cruelly hot day” added to the official lexicon earlier this year.

These developments form part of a growing recognition of escalating heat risks. UN Secretary-General António Guterres notably described the current climate epoch as the “era of global boiling” in a 2023 speech, highlighting the urgency of adapting to more frequent and severe heat events globally. The cold rehydrate Cup Noodle is among a variety of measures aimed at helping consumers adjust to hotter environments while maintaining convenience in daily routines.