Nestlé began developing an instant coffee brand in 1930, at the initiative of the Brazilian government, to help to preserve the substantial surplus of the annual Brazilian coffee harvest. Max Morgenthaler led the development project. Nestlé introduced the new product under the brand name "Nescafé" on April 1, 1938. In 1965, Nestlé introduced a freeze-dried coffee brand called "Nescafé Gold" in Europe