Sweet indulgence: 7 hot chocolate trends
Hot chocolate is all about beautiful presentations and luxury serves: but there's more to this indulgent treat than meets the eye...
Tea & coffee
Innovation watch: Natural clean energy drinks
Health conscious consumers don’t want sugar-laden, taurine energy drinks: but they still want a burst of energy to keep them powering through their day. How are brands providing that better-for-you buzz?
The push for PHA: How Mad Tea’s compostable pods shift packaging standards
Mad Tea’s 100% compostable tea pods, made from a blend of PHA and other compostable bioplastics, aim to satisfy consumer demand for sustainable packaging, yet experts warn that high production costs, limited infrastructure, and regulatory confusion pose...
Millie's disrupts tea, broth category with convenient tea bag broth format
Millie’s tea bag broths, made with herbs, spices and dehydrated vegetables landed in 2,000 Walmart stores last month, marking a major milestone for the brand as it disrupts the tea and broth categories.
Conflicting caffeine research confuses consumers
Caffeine’s effect on vascular health has been a hot topic for years, with researchers putting forward positive and negative arguments. Now, a new study is adding to the conversation. But what's the truth?
Nestlé streamlines operations amid soft demand
The food major downgrades its FY24 growth outlook again as it predicts consumer demand to remain soft.
Wine and coffee by-products could power next generation batteries
Creating effective batteries is a critical part of renewable energy plans – and wine and coffee could hold the answer to cheaper, more efficient and more eco-friendly battery tech.
Saudi coffee trends: Local products faring well, caffeine intake levels within recommended limit despite rising popularity
A study on coffee consumption patterns in Saudi Arabia has found that Saudi coffee is more widely consumed than Turkish coffee among the local population, and that caffeine intake levels remain within the daily recommended limit despite the category’s boom.
Startup Spotlight
Beekeeper Coffee taps into youth culture to build its RTD honey-sweetened coffee
Beekeeper Coffee's co-founders leveraged their extensive brand-building expertise from giants like Nike and Beats by Dre to stand out in the crowded RTD coffee market with a distinct honey-sweetened brew, emphasizing authenticity and sustainability...
EU Commission proposes EUDR implementation delay
The EU Commission has proposed a 12-month extension for the phasing-in of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). The move follows warnings of trade chaos from stakeholders and governments.
Two Rivers Coffee and Eggo team up for strategic licensing in coffee category
Two Rivers Coffee's collaboration with Eggo to launch Eggo Coffee showcases the coffee maker’s flavor innovation and strategic licensing partnerships, setting it apart in the competitive coffee market by delivering a nostalgic novelty for consumers.
Are coffee prices set to rise again?
Poor growing conditions in Brazil threaten coffee supplies. So, is another price hike on the horizon for this already-pricey commodity?
Is caffeine damaging to heart health?
New research puts the daily cuppa under the microscope. But how will the food and beverage industry react and what are the NPD opportunities?
News
Typhoo Tea losses approach £40m
UK-based tea manufacturer Typhoo has reported annual losses of £38m for the year ended September 2023.
BOSS of brands: How Suntory deployed empathy and metaphors for three decades of RTD coffee success
The designer of Suntory’s internationally successful BOSS RTD coffee brand has revealed how empathy and metaphorical references have been crucial to the long-lasting and widespread growth of the 32 year-old brand across the world.
Nespresso launches honey range: marking first ever innovation beyond coffee
Nespresso USA is launching Nespresso Bloom, its first range of honey products. What’s prompted the coffee giant to innovate outside of coffee?
Blue Bottle expands NOLA line with new instant coffee: a nod to consumer trends, convenience
Blue Bottle Coffee is expanding its 19-year-old NOLA line with the introduction of NOLA Craft Instant Coffee Blend, a move that reflects evolving consumer preferences and underscores the brand's commitment to quality and innovation, Cara Ray, global...
Volume growth propels Danone's H1 2024 results
The French food and beverage major said its categories were growing 'faster' than the industry average in volume terms as it posted increased like-for-like sales in H1.
Redefining instant coffee: Saturnbird aims to pull young consumers with convenient, price-friendly coffee
Chinese coffee company Saturnbird, which entered Singapore and Malaysia earlier this year, is looking to attract young consumers with cafe-quality instant coffee that is convenient and wallet-friendly.
From compostable capsules to iced brews: Coffee innovation helps drive growth at Nestlé
Nestlé has stepped up innovation across its business: with 15% more product launches across the first half of 2024 than the same period last year. And coffee innovations – such as Nescafé Ice Roast Coffee, Nescafé cold-concentrate and the Vertuo system –...
'On-the-go innovation': Nestle China’s latest oolong tea contains clinically studied mulberry leaf extract
Nestle China is expanding its range of products containing white mulberry leaf extract clinically shown to reduce postprandial blood sugar increase, with its latest launch a no-sugar Oolong tea.
Mexico, Canada and beyond: Keurig Dr Pepper’s international growth strategy
Keurig Dr Pepper’s international portfolio represents an ‘increasingly significant growth driver’ for the company: with international sales up 15% in the latest quarter.
News
Uganda breaks coffee export record
The country has earned US$1.14bn in the financial year 2023/24, exporting a total of 6.13m bags, according to the Uganda Coffee Development Authority.
Instant gratification: Lúave’s Vietnamese boba milk tea to launch in Singapore with healthier ready-to-drink options
Vietnamese brand Lúave is aiming to launch its instant boba milk tea across Asia, starting with low fat, low sugar options in Singapore.
Singapore’s Pétale Tea catches onto self-care trend with wellness tea range
Singapore-based tea company Pétale Tea is capitalising on the booming self-care trend by creating a range of Wellness Teas targeting areas including sleep and beauty-from-within.
Increasingly informed consumers demand better quality, more ethical coffee – Allpress Espresso
New Zealand-headquartered Allpress Espresso says that as consumers become better informed about various components of coffee, they are demanding higher quality products and an ethical supply chain.
Seven summer beverage trends for 2024
What's hot this summer? We take a look at the top beverage trends.
Five top coffee trends for 2024
What's driving the coffee category forward in 2024? Here's five top trends to watch.
Tea giant begins climate change mitigation and resilience field trials
A project unveiled by Lipton aims to improve tea production standards and create data and resources that can benefit the whole industry.
Balchem expands plant-based dairy capabilities with cold-water soluble oat creamer
Ingredient provider Balchem revealed VitalBlend Oat 2540, a cold-water-soluble creamer, designed to capitalize on demands for plant-based milks, Josephine Nakhla, the company’s powders and cereals strategic marketing and business development director,...
OFI unveils first company-wide emissions targets: ‘It’s a stretch, but achievable’
For the first time, OFI is setting a company-wide sustainability strategy, including Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions targets to achieve by 2030.
The EVERY Co., Landish introduce animal-free protein mixes for coffee, matcha
Under the new brand FERMY, American biotech startup The EVERY Co. and Canadian functional beverage and supplement business Landish launched protein and adaptogen-infused coffee enhancer and matcha latte mixes today.
‘Coffee meets tea’: Nescafe China touts dual beverage experience with upcycled cascara drink line
Nestle China has launched an upcycled cascara beverage line that offers consumers a dual ‘coffee meets tea’ drinking experience, tapping on the strong local demand for teas and rapid new product innovation.
Arla Foods pairs with Mondelēz in first confectionery brand partnership
The collaboration with the confectionery giant will create ‘a unique and enticing proposition for consumers’, says the dairy co-operative as it hints: this is just the beginning.
High caffeine intake associated with risk of anxiety - meta-analysis findings
High caffeine intake has been associated with an elevated risk of anxiety in healthy individuals and could interfere with treatments for patients with medical or psychological conditions, according to a new meta-analysis.
Evolving with the times: Singapore’s Gold Kili ventures into new coffee product format and healthier beverages
Singapore-based Gold Kili has launched a new product format for its coffee range and expanded into the thriving healthier beverage category, as part of the firm’s growth strategy.
Classy coffee: Nestle India taps growing local in-home coffee consumption trend to make premium Nespresso launch
Nestle India is banking on the rapid rise of in-home coffee consumption in the country to launch premium coffee brand Nespresso, aiming to reach supermarket shelves in the South Asian market by the end of this year.
‘Building consumption’: Unilever India banks on milk deflation, accessibility investments to boost nutrition brands reach
Hindustan Unilever India (HUL) hopes that recent deflation in milk prices as well as investments to make its nutrition brands such as Horlicks and Boost more accessible will aid its financial performance.
Stopping single-use: Abu Dhabi to ban specific Styrofoam products from June 1
Abu Dhabi is implementing a ban on various “avoidable” single-use Styrofoam consumer products, which will take effect from June 1, 2024.
China excessive packaging rules: Tea in the spotlight as regulator implements stricter bans on entire category
China State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) has announced new, stricter excessive packaging regulations governing the tea industry, one of the country’s largest and most traditional commodities.
‘Growing rapidly’: Indonesia could become SEA’s largest herbal tea market– Wanglaoji
China herbal tea brand Wanglaoji says Indonesia is one of its fastest growing markets in South East Asia (SEA) and could potentially become its biggest market in the region in the next couple of years.
Why is the price of tea going up?
Like many other commodities, tea is increasing in price. This is due to instability: instability in the climate and instability in the world of geopolitics.
Chilling out: Nestle develops new espresso range to cater to growing APAC demand for customisation and cold brews
Nestle believes that a growing demand in the Asia Pacific for customisation, convenience and colder coffee options make this region the optimal launchpad for its new espresso concentrates.
Could tea help to prevent COVID?
Tea has been recognised for its health benefits for centuries. It boasts links to everything from aiding cardiovascular health to boosting the immune system, but could tea also help to prevent COVID-19?
Coca-Cola fights ‘flat to modest growth’ in North America with innovation, in-store displays & RGM
The Coca-Cola Company anticipates “flat to modest growth in volume” in North America despite characterizing the US consumer as “in good shape” with only modest “compression” among lower-income shoppers, and reporting positive response to stepped-up...
Finding the most accurate way to measure the environmental impact of coffee
A new scientific review offers recommendations on how to measure the environmental impact of coffee – with the hope of also standardizing how this is done in the future.
Researchers look at coffee genome to find key to climate-resilient coffee
While some 70% of the world’s coffee production is Arabica, the species has a low tolerance to rising temperatures and disease. Nestlé has developed a high quality Arabica reference genome – which is now a publicly available database – as part of the...
Coffee fix? UDA targets China growth for relaunched longevity brew designed to help reverse ageing
A longevity coffee product is set to be relaunched with a tweaked formulation in an effort to crack the lucrative China market after its first iteration achieved sales success in more than 40 countries.
La Colombe introduces new RTD Draft Lattes and brand redesign
La Colombe’s new RTD Draft Lattes use the same technology as its draft lattes in its cafes to deliver the same velvety foam finish in five flavors, in addition to three plant-based formats, which are all part of the brand’s new redesign.
How to accelerate your startup journey in a crowded marketplace
BeyondSKU Accelerator is calling for innovative New Yorkers to join its upcoming cohort. Do you have what it takes?