Just before Christmas, I got a text from Rio, a long-time friend from way back my gaming days asking if I was interested to try out a product called KUJAKU.
Thinking it was going to be one of their upcoming games, I initially wanted to beg off as December was going to be a very busy month for my team, not to mention my CTS (carpal tunnel syndrome) was acting up again.
So I was kinda relieved, (as I hate saying no to friends, by the way) when she told me it was a TUMBLER. I said okay, intrigued as to why they would even bother with a review, just like what you are probably thinking “how the heck could a tumbler be different from all the rest?” Right?
Well as I found out after using it for a few weeks, the KUJAKU SPORTS BOTTLE was indeed a lot different– kinda special actually, from all the other tumblers I’ve had.
But before we go into that, just a quick background; For the past couple of years, monopods and powerbanks have been the favorite (by companies at least) tokens/giveaways at events, but tumblers (as well as pens and umbrellas) rank way, way up when it comes to their all-time faves. As such, I’ve accumulated quite a lot of tumblers (though I’ll still happily accept them) and have actually allotted a shelf for my “collection.”
Most of the ones I’ve used, however, often had a short two month lifespan—because they either give up on me or I give up on them (but its usually the latter). And its not just those giveaway tumblers but even the branded ones that leak, fade or just get smashed with my daily use.
Now, I’ve come to expect a lot since I found out that KUJAKU is from a Japanese company called
Peacock Vacuum Bottle Co., Ltd –and is one of the major vacuum bottle companies in Japan.
I checked out their website and according to a message from its president Yoshihiro Yamanaka, Peacock has accumulated more than 60 years’ experience in the industry providing high quality, innovative, fashionable and earth-friendly products to their customers. Their products have also won many design awards from the Japanese Ministry of International Trade and Industry.
“Peacock” has since become a trust-worthy brand in Japan as well as in its overseas markets.
Peacock provides not only the vacuum bottles but also utilize an insulation technology to develop products like stainless steel mug, lunch jar, stainless steel water dispenser and vacuum electric bottle to provide the high quality life to our customers.
The one I have belongs to their stainless vacuum bottle line, the KUJAKU SPORTS Bottle, and is one of their best-selling products.
“Ku” in Japanese means brand and Jaku stands for “peacock” although I’d like to think that it’s a brand from JAKKU (you know that planet in Star Wars Force Awakens) coz it really looks like something even the Stormtroopers (or Resistance) would use to keep them hydrated, but that’s just the effect of the Force in me talking hehehe.
Here are some of the features of Kujaku Stainless Steel Sports Bottle as indicated on the box;
Designed for those into sports such as running, football (soccer), golf, tennis, baseball
It can hold 800ml (27 oz) hot or cold beverage
There are four colors available; Metallic Black, Pearl White, Pearl Pink and Metallic Blue which I have.
It has an easy to hold grip cover
Vacuum insulated double layer bottle
Heat Retention Greater than 88°C/ 190°F (1 hour)
Greater than 71°C/ 159°F (6 hours)
Cold Retention Greater than 9°C/ 48°F (6 hours)Materials Used
Inner Bottle SUS316 Stainless steel
Outer Bottle SUS304 Stainless steel (with acrylic coating)
Bottle Mouth Stainless Steel
Drinking Cup Polypropylene
Stopper Polypropylene
Gasket Silicone
Grip Cover Silicone
Bottom Cover Silicone
Now everyone knows the 8 glasses a day (or 2 liter) rule and how important staying hydrated is. The weather may still be cold but in a few months, or when summer starts and the temperature rises you have to have a ready water bottle to avoid heatstroke.
Many people claim that if you don’t stay hydrated throughout the day, your energy levels and brain function can start to suffer. Fluid loss such as during exercises can affect both mood and concentration, while increasing the frequency of headaches; mild dehydration caused by exercise or heat can negatively affect many other aspects of brain function and can also negatively affect physical performance, leading to reduced endurance.
So I guess mild dehydration might be one of the reasons why there are a lot of drivers with high tempers and decreased mental capabilities on the road.
As a driver who has to suffer hours in EDSA– day and night, a water bottle has become my perfect companion. And whenever I feel the heat, or get irked by some other drivers, I make sure to have a few gulps of water to calm me down.
Let’s go back to the Kujaku Bottle. Now, a lot of similar sports bottles have some kind of leaflet or brochure inside, but I’ts nothing compared to what you’ll find inside the Kujaku Bottle. You know they really take things seriously when it comes complete with a well-written instruction manual—not those ENGRISH ones, which even tells you how to use it properly.
According to the 8-page sheet, reading it will ensure the best possible performance of the Kujaku, and I kind of agree. Using a tumbler might not require a master’s degree, but it sure helps to know the parts and how to remove and replace the various parts so you don’t have to refer to it as the “takip” “goma” and “lalagyan.” The first page contains the parts separated into the lid set, drinking cap set and the bottle itself. It warns you not to put it into a microwave oven, although I can’t think of a reason why you’d put it there in the first place and how it would fit vertically anyway.
There’s also a page for safety precautions and a list of items which you shouldn’t put in it like dry ice or beverages containing carbon dioxide; Miso soup; milk based or fruit based beverages (since prolonged storage may spoil it and increase the pressure inside the product eventually causing it to spout.); Fruit pulp, tea or any kinds of leaves (to avoid possibility of water leakage; and advises you to clean it immediately if filled with sports drinks to prevent rust or pin holes.
One thing worth noting is that it tells you not to remove the sticker underneath the bottle, as it “may cause malfunction such as rusting or perforation).
It may seem a bit weird reading through the manual, because how difficult can drinking from a water bottle be? But some of the information there are really quite interesting, and I’m not being sarcastic.
Reading further likewise taught me how to increase the heat or cold retention of the Kujaku water bottle, and that is to POUR HOT (OR COLD) WATER INTO THE BOTTLE AND PREHEAT (OR PRECOOL) the bottle for about 1 minute You also have to leave at least 1 cm from the beverage maximum level to avoid initial spills.
Another part worth mentioning is how to remove rust spots or water stains. I always thought rust spots were a sign of poor quality, but it turns out that it may be caused by leaving liquid inside the bottle for long periods of time . To remove these fill the KUJAKU bottle with hot water and then add 10% vinegar in it. Put the bottle aside for about 3 hours before washing the interior of the bottle with a soft sponge.
Now, the problem with the previous stainless steel bottles I used before was that they just couldn’t is keep my water cold enough even for the duration of my one to two hour drive to Makati–and I hate drinking lukewarm water as it only makes me even thirstier. The other option I used to do is to leave it in the freezer overnight, but that often results in cracked bottles or it ends up dripping all over my car mat or drink holder. With the Kujaku Sports Bottle, you don’t have to worry about returning to your drink which is now probably as warm as radiator water.
It also has no aftertaste or that “metal tang” even if you forget to empty the contents after a day or two.
As far as putting coffee/ or tea (once or twice) in the Kujaku Sports Bottle, it retains the heat as promised which is about 6 hours or even more, although who really wants to drink coffee that’s been in a container for hours. But if you plan on bringing or storing hot water, the KUJAKU bottle passes with flying colors.
The stopper, gasket and inner cap perfectly locks in place to ensure that no liquid will spill, it locks and opens easily, if it doesn’t you’ve probably misaligned it.
Although I would have preferred what I call the Darth Vader Black or the Storm Trooper White color, the Metallic Blue is also a very nice manly color. It is easy to spot and the black silicone grips not only provides a better hold but likewise creates a streamlined and clean design.
While the circumference of the KUJAKU bottle can be a bit big for smaller hands, it is just the right size for my hand. The base and the silicon bottom cover is just wide enough to make it stable and it will not easily tip sideways in case someone accidentally nudges it. It is however, a bit big for the drink holder in my car, but since I don’t have to worry about leaks, it’s really not a problem even if the bottom part is not fully in place.
Okay so as you may have guessed the KUJAKU SPORTS BOTTLE is my new favorite tumbler and as a matter of fact, I saw that they also have this KUJAKU Stainless Steel One Touch Sportif Straight Drink bottle which I plan on getting specifically for my car so I really won’t have problems drinking WATER while driving.
Kujaku products are distributed by MUCH PROSPERITY TRADING INTERNATIONAL, INC. (MPTII) and are available at the following outlets:
Robinsons Department Store: Ermita and Galleria branch
The Landmark : Trinoma and Makati branch
True Value: Magnolia, Rockwell, and Shangri-la branch
Maxilom Cebu, Davao and CDO
All Home; Sta Rosa and Daang Hari branch
TS Dept. Store: Harrison and La Trinidad branch
KCC Malls: General Santos branch
NCCC Department Store: Maa, Tagum, Main and Palawan branch
Metro Colon, Ayala Cebu, Alabang, Market Market, Colon Cebu and Ayala Cebu branch
Visit Kujaku Philippines Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/Kujaku-Philippines-; Instagram – Kujaku_PH and www.peacock-world.com
Well written post, makes me want to buy Kujaku now!