What’s Inside Coffee Mix, the ‘Unexpected Disaster Food’...

Bonghwa Mine Buried Miners Survived 221 Hours with Coffee Mix
Contains Sodium, Carbohydrates, Sugars, and Fats... 4-5 Packs Equal the Calories of One Bowl of Rice

On the 10th day since the mining collapse accident at a zinc mine in Bonghwa-gun, Gyeongbuk, rescue authorities announced around 11 p.m. on the 4th that two trapped workers were rescued alive. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Lee Gyehwa] On the 4th, news spread that two miners who survived the collapse accident at a zinc mine in Bonghwa-gun, Gyeongbuk, endured 221 hours with 30 packets of coffee mix, sparking interest in coffee mix as an emergency food supply.

Coffee mixes sold on the market contain various ingredients. One packet (12g) of Maxim Mocha Gold Mild by Dongseo Food, which holds an 80% market share, contains 50 kcal. It includes 5 mg of sodium, 9 g of carbohydrates, 6 g of sugars, 1.6 g of fat, and 1.6 g of saturated fat. Four to five packets of coffee mix provide calories equivalent to one bowl of rice (150g) at 215 kcal.

On the 5th, Chief Nephrologist Janghyo Bang of Andong Hospital in Gyeongbuk, the attending physician of the two miners, explained at a hospital briefing that the reason they could endure for ten days was that "(the two) initially had 30 packets of coffee mix and, not knowing the rescue would be delayed this long, consumed them as meal substitutes over three days," adding, "That probably helped a lot."

Coffee mix stimulates metabolism and temporarily increases energy through an awakening effect, making it popular among hikers and laborers. The coffee mix first introduced by Dongseo Food in 1976 was designed for outdoor activities like hiking and fishing. Later, as demand grew significantly among professions with frequent night shifts and general office workers, the market size once reached the trillion-won level.

The coffee industry stated, "At labor-intensive sites such as construction sites and manufacturing plants, there is more demand for coffee mix, which provides sugar replenishment, than for Americano," adding, "Coffee mixes with high sugar content serve as an energy source in extreme situations."

There are also health benefits. According to the American Medical Association (AMA), moderate coffee consumption is effective in improving depression, relieving headaches, enhancing exercise performance, and aiding weight loss. It is also analyzed to reduce the risks of cardiovascular diseases and cancer. However, excessive consumption should be avoided as it can cause side effects such as gastritis and sleep disorders.

A Dongseo Food representative said, "It is true that there are various opinions regarding the benefits and side effects of coffee mix," adding, "We refrain from explicitly recommending it or suggesting daily intake amounts in our promotions." They also added, "Although it is not a product intended for disaster food use, we are glad it helped the miners return safely."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.