SEOUL — Cho Phil-je, the former Vice Chairman of Dongsuh Foods and the visionary leader behind the invention of the world’s first "coffee mix," passed away on April 20, 2026. He was 101 years old.

Dongsuh Foods confirmed that Cho died at 10:08 AM on Monday. His career was marked by a relentless pursuit of technical excellence, transforming a luxury beverage into a daily staple for millions.

An Engineer’s Legacy
Born in Haman, Gyeongsangnam-do, in 1925, Cho was a member of the first graduating class of Seoul National University’s Department of Aeronautical and Naval Architecture in 1950. His engineering background proved pivotal when he joined Dongsuh Foods in 1974 as Vice President of Technology.

Under his leadership, Dongsuh Foods achieved a historic milestone in December 1976: the launch of the world’s first "coffee mix," an all-in-one packet containing coffee, creamer, and sugar. This invention revolutionized convenience culture globally. Cho also oversaw the mass production of Frima, a vegetable-based creamer, and later spearheaded the development of Maxim Coffee using advanced freeze-drying technology in 1978.

"Dropping Anchor in the Desert"
In his 2014 memoir, Cho recalled that the idea for the coffee mix started from a simple observation by a quality control employee. While he took great pride in its success, he often expressed one professional regret: "We should have trademarked the name 'Coffee Mix' at the time."

After serving as President in 1980 and Vice Chairman from 1982 to 1986, Cho founded the Dongsuh Technology Research Institute, ensuring that his spirit of innovation would continue through future generations of Korean food scientists.

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