For most Americans, the name, Georgia conjures images of peaches, Coca-Cola’s home state, or perhaps a Ray Charles song. But in Japan, Georgia Coffee is something very different: a beloved brand of ready-to-drink canned coffee that has been part of daily life since Coca-Cola launched it there in 1975. Sold in vending machines, convenience stores, and supermarkets across the country, Georgia is shorthand for quick, affordable coffee on the go. Its cans come in dozens of varieties—sweet and milky “Original,” strong “Black,” lightly sweetened “European,” and seasonal or regional limited editions—all tailored to Japanese tastes.
Among the most fascinating chapters in Georgia’s history are its custom promotional cans. Over the decades, Coca-Cola Japan has partnered with everything from sports leagues to anime series to Hollywood productions, creating cans that doubled as collectibles as much as beverages. One of the most surreal and sought-after campaigns arrived in the early 1993, when David Lynch was approached by Coca-Cola Japan to produce a string of commercials and, yes, a limited run of Georgia Coffee cans bearing characters, locations, clues, and catch phrases from the limited commercial series. Thanks to the miracle of the internet and the magic of language translators, this first in a series of three Georgia Coffee articles will explore that world of custom Twin Peaks-themed Georgia cans — what they were, which coffee drinks they were associated with and finally how you can enjoy your own Georgia coffee drink in 2025.
WHAT IS THE TWIN PEAKS-THEMED GEORGIA COFFEE CAN PROMOTION FROM 1993?
Launched in January 1993, Coca-Cola Japan released not one but twenty-four special edition Georgia Coffee cans for the Twin Peaks-themed promotion. These cans were distributed across four of their Coffee Drink product lines, with each line featuring a theme tied to its respective television commercials created by David Lynch.
Thanks to Nz (Enuzetto), a drink collector from Japan who maintains an amazing archive and Coca-Cola Can Museum of products he has collected over the last 30 years, you can now see all 23 of the 24 cans artwork and read the translations of what each one said.
On Nov. 27, 2025, I updated this article with images from fellow Twin Peaks fan and Georgia Coffee collector Frank Turner who provided higher resolution images of cans from his collection.
Georgia Coffee “Original” 250g Can (1993)
Georgia Original – The foundation of the brand and a vending machine staple. A sweet, creamy mix of coffee, milk, and sugar, designed to be smooth and easy to drink. Think of it as Japan’s everyday “comfort coffee in a can.” The Georgia Original Coffee product line is featured in Episode 3 – “Mystery of G”, and Episode 4 – “Rescue” commercials.
Georgia Original was designated to feature the “Character Profiles” to help introduce coffee buyers to all those who were featured in the four commercials. It is here that we finally find out that Ken and Asami have last names! LOL. Cooper and Ken appear on four different cans with Asami, Lucy, and Shelly, and The Log Lady appear only once. (What, No love for Hawk or Andy?!?!)
Character Introductions (12 Limited Edition Cans)
Profile 1: DAYLE COOPER / Agent Dale Cooper (1)
Cooper is an FBI Special Agent who solved the “Laura Palmer Case” in Twin Peaks. The second case that occurred was the mysterious disappearance of Japanese tourist Asami Hara.
Profile 2: KEN SAITO (1)
Ken is a detective with the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department. He studied at a university in New York during his student days. Asami, who has disappeared, is his fiancee. He seeks Cooper’s help at the Twin Peaks Sheriff’s Office.
Profile 3: LOG LADY
In Log Lady’s arms knows only the truth. And only Log Lady can understand what the log is saying. What she says is always true.
Profile 4: DAYLE COOPER / Agent Dale Cooper (2)
Cooper’s favorite foods are good coffee and cherry pie. He’s also the one who realizes the meaning of the snooker ball left in Asami’s car: a pie from RR Diner.
Profile 5. KEN SAITO / Ken Saito (2)
Asami’s disappearance came as a great shock to Ken. However, the folded paper crane left at RR Diner reassures Ken that Asami is safe. What is the hidden message in the crane?
Profile 6. SHELLY / Shelly
A waitress at RR Diner, famous for its cherry pie. One day, she is handed an origami crane by a beautiful Japanese woman. “When Ken comes, give this to him.”
Profile 7: DALE COOPER / Detective Dale Cooper (3)
Cooper’s deductive reasoning is superhuman. He has friends who respect him and always support him. Once again, deputies Andy and Hawk find the key to solving G’s mystery.
Profile 8. KEN SAITO / Ken Saito (3)
Cooper is a trusted partner. And his assistants solve the mystery of G. Now, everyone in Twin Peaks is his trusted ally.
Profile 9: LUCY
A receptionist at the Twin Peaks Sheriff’s Office. She always serves Cooper coffee at the perfect time. The outcome of her romance with Deputy Sheriff Andy is also a mystery…
Profile 10: DALE COOPER / Agent Dale Cooper (4)
Only Agent Cooper knows the way to the supernatural “Red Room” of Twin Peaks. “Asami is there,” he says, heading out alone to rescue her. Will a happy ending await?
Profile 11. KEN SAITO / Ken Saito (4)
What Ken saw in the woods of Glastonbury Grove was an intense light. A figure emerged from it… and he ran towards him. Will Ken finally be reunited with Asami?
Profile 12: ASAMI HARA
Asami was an ordinary office lady. She fell in love with Ken, got engaged, and chose Twin Peaks as her final destination for her single life. Then, she suddenly disappeared. Where is Asami?
Georgia “Tasty” Coffee 190g Can (1993)
Georgia “Tasty” product line features a bolder take on the formula. Still sweet and milky, but with a deeper roast and stronger aroma. Marketed toward people who wanted more punch and richness without losing the easy drinkability of canned coffee.
The Georgia “Tasty” product line was designated to feature 4 “Evidence Memos” or “Clues” to help fans of the commercial series follow clues alongside Agent Cooper and Ken on their search for Asami. A popular brand, the “Tasty” product is featured in all 4 commercial episodes.
Evidence Memo “Clue” (4 Limited Edition Cans)
Evidence Note 1: DEER HEAD / Taxidermy of a deer head
Found in the hotel room where Asami was staying just before she disappeared. Cooper solves the mystery of the mark burned into the taxidermy stand.
Evidence Memo 2: SNOOKER BALLS
Snooker is a type of billiards. What is the meaning of the ball placed in Asami’s car? The triangular shape and red color reveal Asami’s whereabouts.
Evidence Memo 3: PAPER CRANE / Origami Crane
Asami left something for Ken at RR Diner. It was a crimson paper crane. When you open the crane, you’ll see the letter G. What does it mean?
Evidence Memo 4: MAP
Follow Asami’s footsteps and you’ll find the letter G, left on an origami crane, on the ground. And where is the final location? The “Red Room,” a parallel-dimensional world.
Georgia European Blend Coffee 250g Can (1993) (4 Limited Edition Cans)
Georgia’s “European Blend” product line offers a lighter, more “sophisticated” option. Less sugar, creamier mouthfeel, and a smoother coffee taste—closer to a café au lait than a dessert drink. Aimed at adults looking for something more refined and may I say “European” than the standard sweet canned coffee.
This product line was designated to feature four “Sightseeing Guides” or “Locations” to immerse fans into the iconic locations of the show.
Sightseeing Guide
Location Guide 1. Twin Peaks
“Twin Peaks” is a town of approximately 5,000 people located in the northwestern United States, approximately 400 km from Seattle. Its lush greenery and warm-hearted atmosphere still evokes the good old days of America.
Location Guide 2: RR Diner
Double R Diner is Twin Peaks’ most popular restaurant. It is famous for the beautiful waitress, Shelley, and Cooper’s rave cherry pie.
MISSING IMAGE
Location Guide 3: Sheriff’s Office
The third can from the left contains the Sheriff’s Office logo.
Location Guide 4: Black Lodge
Located in the forest near Twin Peaks. Twelve trees form a circle in Glastonbury Grove. This is the entrance to the Black Lodge, a parallel world. Beyond that is a red room…
Here is a rare image of what the packaging looked like if you were to purchase a 190g size 6-pack of Georgia “European Blend.”
Georgia Mocha Kilimanjaro Twin Peaks TV Commercial English 1 190g Can (1993)
Georgia “Mocha Kilimanjaro” was the premium line of the era and most likely one of the many “seasonal” product lines as it is no longer available. Built around high-quality beans from Tanzania’s Kilimanjaro region (here blended 50/50 with Mocha beans), it offered an aromatic, slightly earthier taste. Promoted as “a coffee drinker’s dream” and positioned as the connoisseur’s choice.
Georgia “Mocha Kilimanjaro” was delayed by one month and didn’t hit most stores until March/ April 1993. This product line featured 4 distinct catch phrases from the TV Series and Commercials.
Catch Phrase 1: “Damn fine coffee!”
Cooper says after drinking the Georgia. The literal translation would be “super good coffee,” but, as he’s an intellectual, a more appropriate translation would be “just coffee.”
Catch Phrase 2: “Thumbs up”
Drink a Georgia and solve the problem. The “I did it!” sign is a thumbs up. Cooper’s style is to put as much pressure on your thumb as you can.
Catch Phrase 3: “It’s true.”
The words of the Log Lady who only speaks the truth. In response to Cooper’s description of Georgia’s deliciousness, she says, “It’s true.”
Catch Phrase 4: “Georgia all around”
“Georgia all around” Cooper says after successfully solving the “Asami Disappearance Case.” He also expresses his gratitude to his teammates who helped him.
What a thrill it must have been to live in Japan in 1993 where a trip to the supermarket would include door sized posters of Agent Cooper (see article 2 coming soon) and a point of purchase display with a tower of assorted stacked cans featuring Twin Peaks characters, locations, clues, and catch phrases! Not to mention, these drinks are actually quite tasty!
WHERE CAN I FIND GEORGIA COFFEE TODAY?
While the Twin Peaks-themed cans were only for a limited time, if after reading this article, you found yourself with the craving to “Leave it to Georgia”, you are in luck as Georgia Coffee is widely imported and available at many Japanese Grocery stores throughout the US.
A simple Google Search for “Japanese Grocery Store” will navigate you to one locally.
I’ve found Georgia “Original” at my local Nijia, Marukai/Tokyo Central, and Mitsuwa Markets. The other Product Lines, are a bit harder to find. I have seen the “European Blend” in stores a few years back.
The Hokkaido Banana Milk Seasonal drink is one of my personal favorites! Please note that the can designs have changed significantly since 1993.
Stay tuned for a second article about the marketing and advertising materials created for this unique 1990s promotion with Georgia Coffee. Thank you Mischa Cronin for the high-res photos and to cfcj.
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I love how this campaign forces one to drink insane amounts of coffee, Twin Peaks style. Too bad they couldn’t have done a companion campaign with the Japanese equivalent of Hostess Fruit Pies.
Great article, been trying to collect the cans for years, they are super tough to find in any condition. Have 14 of the 24 designs, sadly not the missing location can. Also while I’ve have 2 of the evidence cans as the Blue ‘Tasty’ coffee’, I have the Memo 4 The Map as a brown ‘Blend’ coffee can, there are also variations in the phone number, with the ‘2233’ ending being the ‘common’ version. So trying to collect these is a real rabbit hole. The packaging photo is amazing, if the cans are rare that’s going to be impossible!