With a market hungry for innovation and convenience, Dice’s Frozen Coffee Ice Cubes offer a revolutionary solution to the age-old problem of diluted iced coffee. Simply add Dice Frozen Coffee Ice Cubes to any cold coffee drink and savour every sip without compromise. The cubes, crafted from premium organic coffee, gradually infuse the coffee beverage with rich flavour as they melt, ensuring a consistently satisfying coffee experience from start to finish.

Crafted from chocolatey, nutty dark roast beans, Dice Coffee Ice Cubes undergo a unique nitro-freezing process, preserving their well-rounded, full-bodied, low-acidity cold brew. Designed to enhance your coffee experience while respecting your taste preferences, Dice Coffee Ice Cubes ensure a slow melt that keeps your drink cold without compromising its integrity.

“Our focus during the R&D phase was to create a cold brew that could complement and elevate a wide range of coffee experiences. We knew that coffee preferences differ greatly from person to person, so we worked hard to develop a cold brew with a well-rounded flavour, low acidity, and versatility,” said Gaelan Simpson, co-founder and CEO of Los Angeles-based Dice Provisions. “After testing blends from all over the world, we landed on a South American coffee that offers the perfect balance — rich, chocolatey notes without the tanginess that can overpower other flavours. We paired this with a dark roast to deepen the richness and reduce acidity, ensuring the brew enhances rather than competes with the coffee in your cup.”

Simpson added that after only a few minutes into sipping, the taste completely dilutes. “Our slow-melt, nitrogen-frozen coffee cubes are made with premium dark roast coffee beans that keep your drink cold while enhancing whatever coffee you drink — whether that’s a French roast, Nespresso pod, or even an afternoon smoothie or cocktail that needs a little coffee kick.”

Dice Coffee Ice Cubes are offered in resealable standup pouches found in grocery store freezers. Each bag contains 24 oz of product, which should last for one week’s worth of iced coffee made at home. The coffee ice cubes are certified organic, with zero additives, zero sugar, and < 5 calories. Dice Coffee Ice Cubes retail for USD $12.99 at Co-op Santa Monica, The Farms Deli in Santa Monica, Vincente Foods in Brentwood, Hank’s Organic in the Art District, and Natural Grocery Stores across southern California. For more information about Dice Coffee Ice Cubes, visit diceprovisions.com.

The post Dice Provisions launches coffee ice cubes appeared first on Tea & Coffee Trade Journal.

Although we are seeing declining interest rates in the US, Europe and the UK, there are still concerns around the macroeconomic backdrop as inflationary pressures remain and will continue to pose near-term challenges (even plain grocery store coffee beans cost 22% more than three years ago). Hence, consumers are still cautious with their spending, cutting back on foodservice purchases — and even reducing spend on their beloved java from their favourite coffee shops. Declining sales including same-store sales – a result of lower foot traffic – (and a sagging share price) is what led to Starbucks CEO Laxman Narasimhan being forced to step down (Brian Niccol, CEO of Chipotle was named as his successor) as the multinational coffee chain strategizes to turn things around.

Despite the economic uncertainties, consumers – both older and younger consumers – still enjoy purchasing coffee from their favourite coffee shops (some 62% of millennials will still spend up to $7 per day on coffee) because they feel it is a small indulgence, but maybe now not as frequently. Many consumers are no longer purchasing these ‘treats’ daily in efforts to control their spending.

CashNetUSA recently released study identifying the cheapest areas across the United States to buy a cup of coffee. It found the average price of a cup of coffee in local indie cafés and chains and ranked them by state and city and also compared these prices to the average local wage to determine affordability.

Quite surprisingly, Maine has the cheapest coffee while South Dakota – not New York or California – has the most expensive. CashNetUSA revealed that a cup of coffee in South Dakota costs USD $3.79, 45.76% more than in Maine ($2.60), the cheapest state. South Dakota takes over from Washington, which was the most expensive state according to its 2021 report. The cost of coffee in Washington has actually fallen on average. South Dakota’s has jumped by 63.36% from $2.32. Maine is one of 12 states where the average cup costs under $3. These states are mostly towards the Midwest or South of the country.

The study found that at an average of $2.13 per cup, Irving in Texas has the cheapest coffee of any US city. This is also $0.91 cheaper than the average cup across Texas.

The state of Oregon has the fifth-highest average coffee price, at $3.51. Two Oregon cities are the only ones in the US to offer the average coffee cup at a price north of four dollars: Eugene ($4.39) and Salem ($4.16). According to CashNetUSA, these are also two of the least affordable cities when comparing coffee prices with local wages.

Mississippi has the least affordable coffee compared to income. In Mississippi, a cup of coffee costs nearly one-fifth (18.28%) of the average hourly wage. The study found that this is the least affordable coffee of any state, although the average cup in Mississippi is only the 11^th most expensive ($3.30). Massachusetts (where a cup of coffee costs 10.31% of the average hourly wage) has the most affordable average coffee, closely followed by Washington (10.85%).

Olympia, WA, has the most affordable coffee; Eugene, OR, has the least — CashNetUSA reported that it costs just 8.11% of the average hourly wage in Olympia, Washington, to pay for the average cup of coffee. Olympia is followed by three California cities: Oakland (8.33%), San Francisco (8.75%) and San Jose (8.76%). A fourth – Torrance (9.51%) – also makes the top ten most affordable cities for coffee. Eugene, Oregon, is where a cup of coffee costs the biggest chunk of the local average hourly wage (19.59

While national and multinational coffee chains have launched many more promotional offerings this year, particularly this spring and summer, to date, I do not believe any have dropped their prices. But as they battle for consumers’ prized discretionary income, I wonder if they will begin engaging in QSR-like price wars?

For the full CashNetUSA report, click here.

• Vanessa L Facenda, editor, Tea & Coffee Trade Journal.
  Keep in touch via email: vanessa@bellpublishing.com Twitter: @TCTradeJournal or LinkedIn: Tea & Coffee Trade Journal

The post Maine has the cheapest coffee, but the most expensive is not in New York or California appeared first on Tea & Coffee Trade Journal.

The inspiration behind Kei Coffee House is to create a welcoming environment that fosters connection, learning, and a shared passion for coffee. “We wanted a space where people can come together for all occasions—whether it’s social gatherings, work meetings, or simply a place to unwind,” said Viet Nguyen, founder and CEO of Kei Concepts. “Our goal is for visitors to fall in love with new flavours, brewing methods, and the overall coffee experience.”

At Kei Coffee House, the coffee culture will feature brewed coffees from a diverse menu featuring both Arabica and Robusta beans. The coffee offerings are complemented by high-brew teas, blended beverages, refreshers, and artisan pastries baked on site daily. Signature monthly specials will highlight unique Southeast Asian flavours like coconut, pandan, Thai banana, and sweet potato, catering to a wide range of tastes.

While Kei Coffee House partners with local experts to source the best beans from reputable farms in South America, the team plans to incorporate beans from Asia as they grow and learn more about sourcing. This approach ensures top quality and lays the groundwork for an even more personalised coffee experience in the future.

Spanning approximately 4,000 square feet, Kei Coffee House provides a large yet inviting space for seating and socializing. Floor-to-ceiling windows let in ample natural light, while its modern minimalist design creates a comfortable and relaxing ambiance. The full kitchen allows the coffee house to serve not only coffee but also a wide range of food items, eventually expanding to a full food menu.

What sets Kei Coffee House apart is its unique blend of evolving trends in modern coffee shops with the rich and diverse coffee cultures of Asia and Southeast Asia. “While the US has seen a rise in trendy, well-designed coffee shops, we add our own twist by incorporating aspects of coffee culture found in Asia. This includes a focus on ambiance, service, music, and an overall experience that is more than just about coffee,” says Nguyen.

Kei Coffee House is not just a new venture for Kei Concepts; it is a collaborative hub where the community, other roasters, and vendors can come together to learn, grow, and evolve. “This venture is as much about discovery for us as it is for our guests. We are committed to continuously improving and evolving based on feedback and experiences,” Nguyen adds. “Ultimately, Kei Coffee House is where the East meets the West, bringing a new dimension to the coffee culture in Orange County.”

Kei Coffee House is located at 15691 Brookhurst in Westminster, CA. For more information and updates, follow Kei Coffee House on Instagram at @keicoffeehouse or visit the website.

The post Kei Concepts opens coffee house in Westminster, California appeared first on Tea & Coffee Trade Journal.

Klatch Coffee is a family-owned micro-roaster that has been producing coffee for over thirty years, roasting to its “Peak of Flavour” standards. Its Crazy Goat Blend is now part of Bruvi’s coffee offering.

Klatch is the latest partner in Bruvi’s Brand Partner’s Program, which aims to bring America’s best specialty coffee brands to a single-serve brewing platform for the very first time. Previous partners include LAMILL Coffee, Joyride, and Equator Coffee.

Specialty coffee brands are partnering with Bruvi because it offers technology and extraction not previously available on a single-serve platform, plus innovative degradable pods – making it suitable for craft brands and roasters like Klatch.

Klatch has partnered with Steeped Coffee and Cometeer in the past, but this is the first time it is offering its coffee in a single-serve brewer capsule format.

About Klatch Crazy Goat Blend

A robust medium-dark roasted blend with flavour notes of dark chocolate, toffee, and hints of spice in aroma and cup, from origins Central America, South America and Indonesia. It is the blend of choice for cold brew in Klatch Coffee cafes, and the Crazy Goat Blend B-Pods are available at US$24 for a box of 20 pods exclusively on Bruvi.com.

The post Bruvi partners with Klatch Coffee to offer its blend in pods appeared first on Tea & Coffee Trade Journal.

The core packaging design features bold red, stark black, and sharp lines that the California, US-based company has used much in its branding previously. Central to the new design is the addition of sun rays emanating from the centre, symbolising “Equator’s sense of optimism and forward momentum,” according to the company.

“We wanted our new packaging to not only reflect our brand’s heritage but also convey our vision for the future,” said Shelby Colley, head of marketing at Equator Coffees. “The introduction of sun rays signifies our commitment to growth, innovation, and embracing what lies ahead as we enter our third decade and beyond.”

In addition to the visual updates, Equator Coffees has introduced a new colour system and label structure to provide customers with more information about each coffee variety. Inspired by the structure of a ledger, the redesigned labels utilise colour to differentiate between blends, single origins, espressos, decafs, and selections from the Chef’s Collection. Roast profiles and detailed variety and processing method information have also been added, catering to both seasoned coffee enthusiasts and newcomers alike.

The redesign was done in partnership with designer, Swasti Mittal, who helped shape the new packaging to align with the brand’s future direction.

“We are thrilled to have partnered with Swasti on this journey,” added Colley. “Her creativity and attention to detail were instrumental in bringing our vision to life, and we couldn’t be happier with the result.”

Equator Coffees’ new packaging design is now available across its product range.

For more information about Equator Coffees and its new packaging design, visit equatorcoffees.com.

The post Equator Coffees announces its new packaging design appeared first on Tea & Coffee Trade Journal.

“Our guests, doctors, nurses and other people visiting the Medical Center now have their favourite morning start and afternoon pick-me up easily accessible,” said Jason Park, franchise owner, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf. “The iconic café has been serving quality and innovative beverages for 60 years, and we are thrilled to be able to serve this community. As a locally owned franchisee of this global brand, I’m excited to continue to grow the brand in the Los Angeles area.”

The new location features the company’s vibrant new design and layout, which includes ample indoor seating. The café also offers its guests several ways to get their beverage and food of choice: ordering ahead through the app or delivery through the app and online.

As in all its locations, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf offers a variety of the finest grades of Arabica coffee from specially selected estates around the world that are custom roasted, in small batches, at its roasting facility in Camarillo, California. The store also offers a wide variety of The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf whole leaf teas.

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf is known for introducing The Original Ice Blended drink. They are also the first global coffee and tea retailer to offer cold brew tea.

New store openings represent a key growth initiative for The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf brand’s parent company Jollibee Foods Corporation (JFC), who aim to be one of the top five restaurant brands in the world.

The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf‘s new store in Santa Monica is open seven days a week 6:30am – 6:00pm Monday – Friday.

For more information, visit coffeebean.com.

The post New The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf café opens in Santa Monica appeared first on Tea & Coffee Trade Journal.

“We waited until the technology was there to create a high quality, sustainable product for people who use these machines at home or at work,” said Equator Coffees’ director of coffee, Ted Stachura. “With these innovative commercially compostable capsules, we feel confident about offering an assortment of our certified coffees in a new convenient format.”

With the coffee-at-home revolution which began during the pandemic, many consumers have found convenient ways to make their daily cup at home – MRI Simmons estimates that 9.5 million Americans own a Nespresso Machine as of early 2023.

Equator’s goal is to make specialty coffee accessible and meet customers where they are, whether that is visiting our cafes, our wholesale partners, or brewing at home.

Equator has partnered with luxury hospitality customers like Hotel Drisco in San Francisco, CA, and Amangani in Jackson Hole, WY, part of Aman Resorts, who will offer these earth friendly capsules in their in room service portfolio, with more new partners on the way.

“After years of exploration and development, we are thrilled to launch a familiar, easy to use capsule offering that will resonate with both our discerning consumers and esteemed partners in the hospitality industry,” said Jesse Bladyka, Equator Coffees’ director of wholesale. “This new product reflects our unwavering commitment to quality and sustainability, and we can’t wait to share this new and exceptional Equator Coffees experience.”

The four different coffees in the espresso capsule line-up represent classic Equator Coffees blends. Each recyclable carton comes with 10 certified commercially compostable capsules and is priced at USD$14 MSRP. They are available for purchase or subscribe and save at equatorcoffees.com.

• Mocha Java | Origin: Ethiopia, Sumatra | Roast Level: Medium
  ○ A Fair Trade and Organic certified coffee blend with classic flavours of dark chocolate, almonds, and berries.
• Jaguar Espresso | Origin: Peru, Ethiopia, Sumatra | Roast Level: Dark
  ○ A complex espresso blend of Organic and Fair Trade certified coffees with flavours of fruit, dark chocolate and spice.
• French Roast | Origin: Nicaragua, Guatemala, Sumatra | Roast Level: Dark
  ○ This Organic and Fair Trade certified blend is crafted with delicate smoky nuances while retaining sweetness and fruit-toned chocolate flavours.
• Decaf Shakeout | Origin: Mexico (Chiapas & Oaxaca) | Roast Level: Medium Dark
  ○ A certified Organic coffee decaffeinated using the chemical free water processed
  method, with flavours of nectarine, milk chocolate, and roasted almond.

The post Equator launches four compostable espresso capsule flavours appeared first on Tea & Coffee Trade Journal.

Before the pandemic, this location was a thriving hub of activity, with employees from LinkedIn and other neighbouring tech giants stopping by. “We believe that now is the right time for Equator to re-open, given the promising uptick in office attendance, the success of the recent Dreamforce Conference, the city’s Vacant to Vibrant programme, and the efforts of other food and beverage destinations such as Devil’s Teeth Baking Company, Rosalind Bakery, Teranga, Yokai SF, and Holbrook House,” said Equator Coffees’ CEO JP Lachance. “We’re looking forward to supporting the revitalisation of the area, and bringing back specialty coffee tastings, events and pop-ups to the space to help rebuild the community in the SOMA neighbourhood.”

The now reopened café is situated in a public open space in the lobby of the LinkedIn offices with stadium seating, tables, and wi-fi for flexible remote work, and striking art by Frank Stella. The café will be serving up specialty coffees, seasonal beverages, fresh pastries, and Equator’s Frittata breakfast sandwich.

Equator Coffees in SOMA is located at 222 2nd Street San Francisco, CA 94105. Located on the corner of 2nd & Howard, this café is just steps away from offices and landmarks, including the Salesforce Transit Center, the Moscone Center, SF MOMA, Apple and Asana offices. For more information, visit equatorcoffees.com.

The post Equator Coffees reopens its San Francisco café appeared first on Tea & Coffee Trade Journal.

Inside the studio, Suh will also open Urban Oasis– a late-night tea house serving unique ceremonial tea blends, providing guests with an environment to reflect, connect, and experience the transformative power of artistic self-expression.

With a menu that features a tea-sommelier-curated selection of tea, mocktails, and small bites, Urban Oasis will be opening to the public in October.

The community space — designed with the help of the interior designer duo gry space (who also designed LA’s rkyn cafe and kodō) to mirror a zen garden — will also host various events like evening teas and reflections, sound baths and more.

David Suh has developed a cumulative audience of more than 6.4 million rooted in encouraging people to unapologetically celebrate themselves. Suh — who moved to the US from Seoul in 2013 — is an “evangelist of the idea that there’s no such thing as not being photogenic” (LA Times) and offers a safe haven for everyday people to get in front of the camera and “reclaim their inner and outer beauty.”

The post TikToker, David Suh, to open LA tea house in October appeared first on Tea & Coffee Trade Journal.

How the 100% reusables operating model works:

• Customers order their drink as usual at a participating Starbucks, in the café, drive-thru or via mobile order and pay.
• The hot or cold beverage will be served in a personal cup or a ‘borrowed’ cup, which customers can take with them at these 12 stores from 14 August – 22 October.
• If customers are using a borrowed cup, when done with their beverage, they return the cup by scanning and dropping the cup into a participating store’s contactless return bin. The cup will be professionally washed and sanitised, ready to be used again.
• Customers who bring their own personal cup will receive the standard benefit of USD $0.10 off and Starbucks Rewards members will receive 25 bonus stars.
• When customers return their borrowed cup, they will also have the option to register online with TURN to earn points for every Borrow a Cup return and prizes through TURN (a reuse platform designed for scale – through a fully circular system, TURN offers integrated solutions to end single-use plastic).

Why this matters:

• The company has been testing the 100% reusables model in several markets including three cities in the US (including the Starbucks café located in Starbucks headquarters in Seattle), as well as globally in Japan, Singapore, London, and South Korea since 2021.
• After a successful 3-month test, now customers can bring their personal cup through drive-thru going forward at 192 stores across Colorado.
• In support of the company’s goal to reduce waste by 50 percent by 2030, Starbucks is shifting away from single-use plastics, championing the use of recycled content, and promoting reusability, driven by a broader shift towards a circular economy.
• The biggest thing to learn from these tests as the company prepares to bring this model to more stores, is how to offer customers a way to shift away from single use cups toward a reusable to-go-coffee experience, in a way that is convenient, easy, and enjoyable.

Learn more about the test in the 12 Northern California stores in the Starbucks Stories post here and a Google Map of the stores here.

The post Starbucks expands the roll out of its reusable format appeared first on Tea & Coffee Trade Journal.

The newest location follows the success of the brand’s Ivy Station café in Culver City, which opened in 2022. Designed by The Studio For, Fairfax delivers a lifestyle coffee experience all under one roof. The 860-square-foot main dining area accommodates up to 14 patrons and features furniture entirely produced by local Los Angeles artisans—including a selection of natural wood, Scandinavian-inspired tables and seating that integrates custom lux vinyl with textile upholstery for an added touch of dimension. 

Complementing the décor are original murals by LA Hope Dealer (Corie Mattie), a famed street artist known for hope-filled designs featuring doves. The rear of the main space also transforms into an inviting outdoor patio that can hold up to 20 additional guests. Equator Coffees plans to pursue strategic partnerships with local brands and host collaborative retail pop-ups in the café for guests to enjoy limited-edition merchandise, as well as unique food and coffee offerings.   

“Today, as much as when we opened our first café ten years ago, we want to create an inspiring environment for guests that invites them to experience coffee that’s roasted better, brewed better, and, most importantly, sourced in a way that makes lives better,” said Helen Russell, co-founder of Equator Coffees. “Our intention remains strong to continue to create inclusive and welcoming spaces for all.” 

To celebrate Equator Coffees’ newest location in Los Angeles, 10% of the Fairfax cafe’s opening week sales will be donated to the Los Angeles LGBT Center, which provides advocacy programmes and social services for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.  

Equator Coffees on Fairfax is located at 456 North Fairfax Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90036. Situated in the Beverly Grove neighbourhood, the café is just steps away from city landmarks and attractions, including Canter’s Deli, Jon & Vinny’s, The Grove Shopping Center, The Original Farmer’s Market, CBS Studios, and the LACMA Museum District. For more information, visit equatorcoffees.com and follow along on Instagram at @equatorcoffees. 

The post Equator Coffees continues expansion with its second Southern California café location appeared first on Tea & Coffee Trade Journal.

“When it opened in 2013, Proof Lab launched the second generation of Equator. It was the next phase of something we take a lot of pride in: introducing a new generation of coffee drinkers to who we are, to our years of expertise in sustainably sourcing, roasting, and serving incredible specialty coffees,” said Helen Russell, co-founder & executive chair of Equator Coffees.

“Everything we did, and still do every day, comes back to connection, to fostering a warm, vibrant, and inviting place for coffee lovers and casual drinkers alike,” said Devorah Freudiger, director of coffee culture who opened Equator Coffees at Proof Lab ten years ago.

To commemorate this milestone, Equator has partnered with artist, Fisher Monahan, to illustrate all four Marin Equator locations, including Larkspur, Sausalito, Mill Valley, and of course Proof Lab front and center in its iconic red.

In celebration of this anniversary and Pride Month, the LGBTQ+ founded coffee roaster will also host the Tour d’Equator: Pride Ride in partnership with Marin-founded Mike’s Bikes on Sunday, 25 June. Participants are invited to join Equator in donating to support the critical work of The LGBT Asylum Project. Funds will be combined with those raised by their monthly Cup for a Cause ($1 per pour over sold in cafes).

For more information, visit equatorcoffees.com.

The post Equator Coffees celebrates ten years and its 10th cafe opening appeared first on Tea & Coffee Trade Journal.

Each of these new iced tea flavours uses organic fruits, Biodynamically-grown base teas and flowers, herbs and spices. These teas range from US$11 – $55 (depending on size), making them suitable for gifting this summer. The flavours are:

• Lemon Meringue Puerh: bright lemon & pro-biotic puerh black tea for a healthy weight & happy digestion;
• Strawberry Shortcake W/ Hibiscus: a sweet strawberry flavoured white tea for skin;
• Butterfly Blue Coconut Cream: a cool pina colada for booze-free celebrations skin
• Peach Vanilla Black: peaches & cream with a hint of ginger for energetic afternoons & gatherings
• Mango Jasmine Oolong: tropical beach and jasmine garden for skin & soothing moods
• Passionfruit Green With Roses: passionfruit green with wild roses for speeding metabolism & uplifting mood

The post Magic Hour releases a line of cold steep teas appeared first on Tea & Coffee Trade Journal.

Cranberry Comfort Blend is a floral blend of chamomile flowers and corn silk with the tartness of cranberry, hibiscus and uva ursi. It packs a nutritional punch, says the company, as chamomile helps promote relaxation, cranberry supports the urinary tract, and hibiscus is loaded with antioxidants which has many benefits including managing blood pressure and cholesterol. Uva ursi may reduce bacteria in the urine and increase urine flow. This tea can be served hot or iced, making it a versatile beverage for all seasons.

Buddha Teas’ new Echinacea Tea is earthy in flavour, with all the health benefits of the echinacea flower in supporting the immune system.

“We’re constantly innovating to address consumer demand for certain teas, as well as working with different formulations to achieve the best tasting version of a healthy tea,” says John Boyd, founder and president at Buddha Teas. “Changes in temperature in early summer can hit the immune system, so our new Echinacea Tea is ideal for immune support. At the same time, people want light, flavourful teas that also translate to iced, which is perfect for the Cranberry Comfort Blend.”

The SRP for the new teas is $6.99 and they are sold nationwide in select stores, and at www.BuddhaTeas.com.

1. News. Tea Council of the USA News & Press Releases | PR Newswire. (n.d.). Retrieved May 4, 2022, from https://www.prnewswire.com/news/the-tea-council-of-the-usa/

The post Two new summer blends added to Buddha Teas’ portfolio appeared first on Tea & Coffee Trade Journal.

Wellness teas have experienced an ongoing rise since the global Covid-19 pandemic began, and there’s no sign that the trend is ending anytime soon. Thus, it’s a clear opportunity for the tea industry and beverage developers alike, to capitalise on the growth.

In November 2020–amidst the early phase of tea’s newfound popularity during the Covid-19 pandemic–writer/reporter Rebecca Deczynski summed it up at Refinery 29: “Right now, tea culture is at its peak. You’ve likely found yourself scrolling past targeted ads for herbal elixirs or swiping through endless Instagram stories depicting still-steaming mugs. You’ve heard celebrity endorsements for choice brews, and you’ve read about ‘wellness tea’ in magazine roundups devoted to self-care. The stuff is more popular than ever…”

John Lenz, the vice president of sales and president of hospitality at Intelligent Blends in San Diego, California, reported that while coffee is still considered a relatively healthy beverage, tea boasts the most benefits over any other type of beverage. “Wellness teas were already on the rise before the pandemic, but as more people looked for solutions to boost immunity, they found tea,” said Lenz. “Living through a pandemic has made many people realise the importance of immunity-boosting food and beverages.”

High demand for functional beverages

Chicago-based ADM, a leader in nutrition and a partner to the world’s leading consumer brands, regularly looks at consumer trends through its proprietary “Outside Voice” consumer insights platform. The organisation’s recent 2021 research found that 31 per cent of consumers are purchasing more items tailored for their health, and 50 per cent report a preference for foods and beverages that naturally contain beneficial ingredients. ADM also noted that the desire to influence health and wellness through foods and beverages is creating new opportunities for nutrient-dense products with functional health benefits aimed at supporting immune systems, enhancing mood and sustaining energy.

Vince Macciocchi, senior vice president and president of ADM’s Nutrition business unit, and the company’s chief sales and marketing officer, explained, “The global health crisis has changed consumer preferences in new and unexpected ways. We are seeing a heightened demand for foods and beverages that support immune systems, enhance our mood and reduce our environmental impact, driven in part by emerging human tensions. This has provided a unique opportunity for brands to develop disruptive new products that will forever change the way we eat and drink.”

Maria Uspenski, founder and CEO of The Tea Spot – which offers numerous premium teas focused on wellness and functional benefits, shared, “Consumers are seeking natural ways to support wellness, whether it’s strengthening immunity, helping reduce stress, or bringing oneself ‘back into balance’ with a cup of tea. In fact, consumers are seeking all varieties of tea–including traditional teas, functional teas, botanicals, and herbal blends. We expect that premium tea and specialty wellness teas will continue to stay in the forefront of consumers’ minds.”

Clipper Teas launched a functional teas line in 2021 designed to improve moods. Image: Clipper Teas

Shabnam Weber, the president of The Tea and Herbal Association of Canada, a leading authority on all things tea in Canada, representing members from bush to cup, agreed. “The need to take care of one’s well-being, both physical and emotional, remains a strong driver for consumers,” she explained. “Today, 58 per cent of consumers are actively looking for healthy products when they shop, resulting in a 171 per cent increase of functional food and beverages introduced to market in the past ten years. This trend will continue, and it provides the tea community with an opportunity to boost its growth by focusing on tea as a healthy beverage.”

Indeed, consumers are eagerly seeking products that they believe support wellness. For example, Whole Foods Market global buyers and experts recently unveiled their top ten anticipated food trends for 2022, and functional beverages – including teas or beverages made with botanicals – are expected to rise in popularity in the next year.

“Last year, we saw tremendous pandemic-related shifts in grocery buying habits as the world adjusted to spending more time at home,” said Sonya Gafsi Oblisk, chief marketing officer at Whole Foods Market. “As the food industry slowly adjusts to a new normal, we expect to see consumers prioritise food and drink products that deliver additional benefits – like functional sodas and tonics – and products that support their sense of well-being…”

Major brands launch wellness teas

Some of the national and multinational brands that have recently introduced wellness teas in the marketplace include Celestial Seasonings, Twinings, The Tea Spot, Buddha Teas, and other major players.

Boulder, Colorado-based Celestial Seasonings, the specialty tea brand and subsidiary of Hain Celestial Group, launched Tea Well, a line of organic wellness teas that couples daily health benefits with flavour. Tea Well blends include Mood Tonic, Sleep (the first tea with melatonin sold in the United States), Laxative and Gut Health (featuring a blend of prebiotics, probiotics and fibre).

“Beyond the mental health benefits of sipping a warm cup of tea, many consumers choose tea for its health benefits,” said Tim Collins, vice president and general manager at Celestial Seasonings. “We want to make sure we are delivering on this promise with products that go above and beyond in providing the benefits you’d find in your typical cup of tea.”

In addition to the Tea Well line, Celestial Seasonings’ ‘Taste the World of Celestial Seasonings’ ad campaign highlights the feel-good benefits of drinking tea. Video vignettes focus on Celestial Seasonings Green Tea for energy, Vitamin C tea for immune support, and Sleepy time tea to winddown. Through whimsical imagery and narration, the campaign is designed to introduce hot tea as a healthy and flavourful choice.

“This campaign captures the essence of how Celestial Seasonings brings balance and benefits everyday,” said Melinda Goldstein, chief marketing officer at Hain Celestial.

In May 2020, The Tea Spot launched its Flu Fighter wellness tea, a caffeine-free herbal blend that features functional ingredients, including astragalus, honeysuckle, organic liquorice root, orange peel, tangerine peel, dandelion root, mulberry leaf, red root, and organic ginger.

According to The Tea Spot, the ingredients in the Flu Fighter tea were chosen based on a medical report published in Military Medical Research (Volume 7, Article Number 4, February 2020), on the diagnosis and treatment of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), where a combination of herbs and roots were used to support flu-like symptoms.

The Tea Spot’s Uspenski said, “The pain and stress of the current pandemic has pushed The Tea Spot to think outside the box as to how we can help empower people to find and support better overall wellness.”

In October 2021,The Tea Spot reported that their line of women’s teas – called Goddess Women’s Teas – were a best-seller for the company that year, as more consumers discovered premium tea or sought tea for its wellness benefits. The tea line features three 100 per cent organic tea blends that showcase botanicals and herbs to support women’s health throughout different stages of life.

Buddha Teas saw sales of its immune-boosting and lung health teas rise during the pandemic. Image: Buddha Teas.

John Boyd, co-founder of Colorado Springs, Colo.-based Buddha Teas, also noticed that more customers discovered tea during the pandemic. “We saw a huge spike in our herbal teas that boost the immune system. Our pure Elderberry had an astronomical increase in sales, and we attribute that to the amount of elderberry in each tea bag–2,000mg. Everyone seemed to jump on the immunity boosting teas band wagon. Also, our lung health teas – such as Mullein and Eucalyptus – have gained tremendous momentum.”

Boyd shared that Americans have traditionally been coffee drinkers, however people are leaning towards drinking tea. “Society is becoming more health conscious and most people know that green teas are much healthier than coffee, and they still provide the same caffeine kick that people are looking for to start their day,” he said. “Not to mention the fact that some of our caffeinated teas contain an ingredient that totally takes the edge off that jittery feeling while still kicking you into overdrive. Specifically, I’m talking about matcha and L-theanine.”

Twinings, a leading wellbeing drinks brand, also focused on an ad campaign to attract consumers to the healthy tea lifestyle. Its ‘Drink in Life’ campaign showcases the company’s new Superblends collection, demonstrating how these new products help consumers “feel good, live well and enjoy life.”

Twinings’ Superblends line – at the heart of its “Drink in Life” campaign – features four new flavours that are fortified with vitamins and functional additives, and additional flavours are slated for 2022.

Twinings new Superblends wellness line is designed to help consumers ’feel good, live well and enjoy life.’ Image: Twinings North America

“Our ‘Drink in Life’ campaign is rooted in the idea that taking even the smallest step counts when it comes to reaching your wellness goals and contributing to your overall health,” said Mike Currie, vice president of marketing at Twinings North America, based in Clifton, New Jersey.

Currie noted that the wellness segment in tea has been growing for a while, but the pandemic has accelerated the interest in wellbeing and beverages that support this. “Consumers are putting their wellbeing at the forefront and paying close attention to the products that they’re consuming,” he said. “From an overall industry perspective, this directly correlates to the steady increase in wellness tea sales. These consumers are investing in authentic brands that value transparency and put wellbeing within reach with small steps, making them feel optimistic about their purchases.”

Herbal teas are also big in the wellness tea marketplace

When it comes to wellness teas, it’s important to note that herbals teas and herbal blends are among the teas on the rise, in addition to true teas from the Camellia sinensis plant.

On the whole, the herbal beverages market, which includes herbal tea, is experiencing considerable growth, according to a new report from analysts at Vantage Market Research. In fact, the herbal beverages market is expected to reach USD $2.45 billion by 2028, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.1 per cent between 2021 and 2028. Factors like the rising awareness of the advantages of herbal-based beverages – such as replenishing skin from the inside, enhancing health, supporting healthy joints and rejuvenating the body – are facilitating the growth of the market for herbal beverages, according to the research firm. The herbal tea segment, specifically, is anticipated to grow more than 4.6 per cent CAGR over the forecast period.

Northern California-based tea author, educator and tea festival organiser, Babette Donaldson, owner and publisher of T Ching and the founder of the International Tea Sippers Society, noted, “The sense of helplessness and frustration in this time of Covid-19 motivates many to look to ancient healing lore. Many do this to feel that there are ways to take control of one’s own well-being. In the past, some in the tea industry have focused on the ‘tea and health’ message to include only Camellia sinensis. But customers are looking for something more inclusive in their cups. Resources for herbalism are abundant and bridge many cultural divides.”

The next wave of wellness teas?

In a recent World Tea Conference + Expo white paper, Euromonitor International’s senior beverages consultant, Matthew Barry, based in Chicago, Illinois, pointed out that while not a cure, tea can serve as a valuable temporary oasis in a chaotic world. “An opportune area in the US market in the near future will be teas designed for relaxation and mindfulness,” said the senior beverages consultant. “While many beverage categories are eager to address this growing consumer need, tea starts with a considerable advantage. Tea – herbal tea in particular – is already strongly associated with calming effects. Chamomile, for example, has been used as a calming ingredient in tea since the time of the ancient Egyptians, so herbal tea could be said to have been active in the calming functional space for millennia. Consumers hardly need to know this history to be familiar with the idea that chamomile, mint, valerian or other herbs promote a sense of calm – and there is a new wave of teas targeting this space.”

Barry also noted, “Stress and anxiety levels continue to be at an all-time high. Tea can provide moments of quiet and calm amidst the turbulence. The American tea industry needs to prioritise products and blends that address mental health concerns. If done effectively, the mindfulness space will be the most dynamic in the US tea industry for years to come.”

• Aaron Kiel, based in Raleigh, North Carolina, has worked in the tea, coffee and beverage industries for nearly two decades, and he’s the editor of World Tea News. He’s a journalist and writer at heart, but he also wears a public relations “hat” through his PR consultancy, ak PR Group. He can be reached at akiel@akprgroup.com.

The post The pandemic spurs an ever-increasing demand for wellness teas appeared first on Tea & Coffee Trade Journal.

A 25-year veteran of the natural and specialty food industry who has spent the last 17 of those years at Numi, Durkee has been instrumental in the company’s growth and organisational development. In addition to leading the Numi team and driving overall company strategy and culture, Durkee has managed strategic partnerships, financial planning and execution, sales and marketing initiatives, global supply chain developments, and product innovation. He travels abroad frequently and has worked intimately with customers and suppliers from more than 35 countries. Durkee holds an MBA from Saint Mary’s College and a BS in Systems Management from the University of San Francisco. He is also an Adjunct Professor in the DMBA programme at California College of the Arts.

Ahmed Rahim, Numi’s co-founder and new CVO, will continue his position as Board chair, guiding Numi’s regenerative work, innovation, and strategic partnerships. “Beyond the leadership and growth Brian has achieved, he has been critical in leading Numi through the difficult year of 2020,” said Rahim. “His skill at navigating Numi through the pandemic with grace and humbleness has kept the team focused on what matters. From the first day Brian joined us, he has embodied and helped co-create the vision of Numi. Brian holds our staff, customers, and collective stakeholders as the backbone of Numi, while driving forward the needs of the business. He approaches each day with a positive outlook and listens to the business’ needs with thoughtfulness and care.”

“Since Brian Durkee came to Numi as an Operations Director 17 years ago, he has grown professionally and developed personally into a remarkable, service-oriented leader,” said Reem Hassani, Numi’s co-founder and chief brand officer. “His passion and love for Numi and all it stands for has been the driving force behind our partnerships in Fair Trade and equity for workers, sustainability and climate action, and the strong team loyalty we’ve built over the years.”

Durkee has played a key role in several initiatives that Numi is known for. He led efforts to push the Non-GMO Project to change its standard on immersion packaging—which includes tea bags. Prior to that, only tea ingredients were included in the standard, allowing manufacturers of GMO-sourced bioplastic tea bags to claim Non-GMO Verification. In 2007, he helped co-create Numi’s Verified Fair Labor certification, a continuous improvement programme that ensures fair wages and safe working conditions where Numi’s tea is grown. He also worked with Ahmed Rahim to build OSC’s first Packaging Collaborative in 2013, setting Numi and other natural products brands on a path to bring compostable flexible film to market. Durkee’s focus on creating direct relationships that foster improved standards of living has led to deep and lasting partnerships, ensuring transparency and stability for Numi’s supply chain.

Durkee’s impact-driven leadership and advocacy will shepherd in a new phase of growth for Numi as it continues its work using business for good and Activating Purpose in the communities it touches. Recent milestones for the company include the launch of its first compostable tea wrapper, achieving Climate Neutral certification, and mobilising Numi Foundation for Covid relief—delivering over 350,000lbs of fresh produce to Bay Area families in need.

The post Numi Organic Tea names Brian Durkee as new CEO appeared first on Tea & Coffee Trade Journal.

With 6-packs, 12-packs and cases all available online at www.wildbarncoffee.com, coffee lovers and adventurists from coast to coast can get a boost by helping raise awareness and funds for the urgent needs of first responders and the communities that they are protecting. 

The GlobalGiving California Wildfire Relief Fund supports firefighters and provides emergency supplies like food, water, and medicine to people in need. The fund will remain open to provide long-term assistance. As the location and severity of the fires fluctuates, so will the response to ensure aid gets where it is most needed. All donations to this fund will exclusively support communities impacted by wildfires. 

“Celebrating the great outdoors is in the DNA of our coffee,” notes Jenny Verrochi. “It was created for adventurists and those that spend time in the wilderness, so we knew that National Coffee Day should be one of giving and supporting our western neighbors. We hope that we can help by calling attention to this emergency by donating 100% of our profits on National Coffee Day, September 29, 2020 to this important fund.” 

“We created Wild Barn Coffee to capture the spirit of the Rockies, but we know that the Rocky Mountain spirit exists everywhere that people celebrate the great outdoors,” adds Alyssa Evans. “This is our way of sounding the alarm to our cold brew coffee drinkers so that everyone can help with this historic battle.”

The post Wild Barn Coffee contribute to wildfire fund on National Coffee Day appeared first on Tea & Coffee Trade Journal.

Torani had outgrown its facilities in South San Francisco and started looking for a new headquarters home in the Bay Area in 2016. Leaving the Bay Area was never an option according to the company. “We are deeply, deeply committed to staying in the Bay Area – leaving our home was never on the table. For us, this move was about having the space to continue to grow, service our customers and, most importantly, create more opportunities for our team members and all of the people, companies, and communities we touch,” explained Melanie Dulbecco, CEO of Torani. “We are also determined to keep creating a wide range of jobs and careers for people in the Bay Area. We need more in the mix than the desk and tech jobs the area is known for.”

San Leandro was chosen based on three factors: proximity, community and historical origin.

• When Torani began looking for a new location, 100% retention was its goal. An effort to zip code map every team member’s home revealed that San Leandro was a commutable and desired location by its team.
• Second, the company saw a tremendous opportunity within San Leandro to become an active member of its growing maker and innovative food company communities.
• Third, headquarters in San Leandro kept Torani in the heart of the Bay Area. The company was founded in North Beach and staying here was vital to its strategic advantage because of its culture of innovation and the global viewpoint.

Originally planned to be completed in early June 2020, the already-complicated move was made even more challenging by the Covid-19 pandemic and the related safety measures Torani enacted to keep its over 200 team members safe. Now, after moving and updating three manufacturing lines across the Bay and installing a new best-in-class manufacturing line, Torani is fully operational in its new state-of-the-art manufacturing and distribution facility.

“The fact that we’ve accomplished all of this right now while keeping our business steady, is a testament to our amazing people, our togetherness, and all of the possibilities ahead,” added Dulbecco. “It’s been a monumental experience.”

The new Flavor Factory was designed to dramatically increase capacity to meet current and future demand, foster even more collaboration, and generate more opportunities for everyone Torani touches. The new facility was commercialised in waves to ensure minimal disruption in production and supply to Torani’s thousands of customers across the country and around the world.

The new manufacturing line was designed by Krones in Germany and utilises cutting-edge bottle-filling, labelling, wraparound case forming, palletising and inspection technologies. Torani expects the new manufacturing line to produce up to 350% more output than the lines installed in its old facility. All existing production lines are being upgraded with new line control technology and conveyors that will improve energy usage and increase output.

The new systems also create tremendous opportunities for Torani’s team, according to the company. With more technology in the new production lines, Torani says it is focused on elevating the work and career opportunities of its team members with the new skills and abilities required to run the state-of-the-art equipment.

Now that Torani has completed the move and is fully up and running, the company expects to expand its team by between 15% and 25% from the general San Leandro area by the end of the year. “We are over-the-moon excited to bring new opportunities to our team and our new community,” said Dulbecco.

Torani’s new headquarters features many special areas and energy-saving technologies, including:

Interior Design Features:

• Customer Experience Lab, a space designed for Torani’s café and restaurant customers to explore future product innovations, and co-create new drinks and beverage menus.
• Customer Play Area, where visitors will be able to experience Torani’s 200+ flavours first-hand while overlooking its manufacturing floor.
• A secret Speakeasy, hidden behind a bookcase as a nod to Torani’s history (as the company was founded during the pre-Prohibition era.) This secret room will be for both guests and team members on special occasions.
• The Torani Family Wall, where every team member’s photo is displayed.
• Torani Bottle Wall, a floor-to-ceiling display of Torani bottles serves as a backdrop for the Lobby and its private cafe area. Visitors will be greeted by a Receptionista, who will make each guest a flavoured latte via the company’s new La Marzocco espresso machine.

Technological and Sustainability Upgrades:

• Product Development Lab, double the size of its prior footprint, outfitted with state-of-the-art equipment and laid out to promote collaboration, experimentation and efficiency among its food scientists and trained tasters.
• Latest-generation energy-efficient movement-activated lighting throughout the Flavor Factory (with plans to incorporate solar power in 2021).
• State-of-the-art heating and cooling systems throughout the facility.
• Most current reverse osmosis water treatment that ensures the water meets the highest quality standards in the industry.
• New cleaning cycles that capture more water throughout the cleaning process and will decrease water usage by up to 25% over the company’s old process.

The post Torani completes move to new Flavor Factory appeared first on Tea & Coffee Trade Journal.

Through the Coffee Pod Recycling Program, the latest eco-friendly initiative from the family-owned company, consumers can now send in their used single serve coffee pods and espresso capsules to be recycled for free. To participate, customers will sign up on the TerraCycle program page at www.terracycle.com/gavina and mail in the used pods and capsules using a pre-paid shipping label. Once collected, the packaging is cleaned, separated by material type, melted and remolded to make new recycled products while the residual coffee is sent to an industrial composting facility. Additionally, with every shipment sent to TerraCycle through the program, consumers can earn points that can be used for charitable gifts or converted to cash and donated to the non-profit, school or charitable organisation of their choice.

“As coffee growers and roasters, my family built our business on a 150-year legacy and passion for coffee that runs deep and spans four generations,” said Lisette Gaviña Lopez, executive marketing director at F Gaviña & Sons, Inc.

“Sustainability is at the core of every business decision we make, and as we innovate to meet the changing needs and preferences of our customers, we also look for new ways to minimize environmental impact. Through our partnership with TerraCycle we can now extend our environmental efforts beyond the shelf with a responsible recycling program for our espresso capsule and coffee pod customers.”

“At TerraCycle, we understand American’s love affair with a great cup of coffee – we share the sentiment,” said Tom Szaky, TerraCycle’s founder and CEO.

“But through the Coffee Pod Recycling Program, coffee connoisseurs can enjoy their favorite pick-me-up, easily reduce waste, all without sacrificing the enjoyment of their favorite brew.”

F Gaviña & Sons’ commitment to sustainability led to the creation of the Direct Impact Initiative, which focuses on four pillars: dedication to farmers, sustainable sourcing, environmental sustainability, and social stewardship. Dedicated to smallholder farmers and the land they work upon, Gaviña and partners work towards improving the quality of life and increasing social and economic development in Coffee Belt farming communities. These efforts include technical assistance for Guatemalan farmers to employ sustainable farming techniques while increasing household income, and building a central coffee processing wet mill in Colombia to help local smallholder farmers adapt to climate change while reducing environmental footprint. The company also sources certified coffees from Rainforest Alliance, Fair Trade USA and USDA certified Organic, and roasts all its coffee from its Zero Waste to Landfill plant in Vernon, California.

The Coffee Pod Recycling Program is open to any interested individual, school, office, or community organisation. For more information on TerraCycle’s recycling program, visit: www.terracycle.com.

For more information on Don Francisco’s Coffee and Café La Llave brands, visit: www.donfranciscos.com.

For more information about parent company F Gaviña & Sons, Inc and its sustainability efforts, visit: www.gavina.com.

The post F Gaviña & Sons Inc partners with Terracycle in recycling initiative for flagship coffee brands appeared first on Tea & Coffee Trade Journal.

San Diego-based Mostra Coffee has created gratitude packages for customers to send to those who are choosing to step up and help others during the global coronavirus crisis, whether it be health care workers, grocery shop employees, essential workers or even just a neighbour or friend who has been willing to lend a helping hand.

The post Mostra Coffee creates gratitude packages to spread kindness during Covid-19 appeared first on Tea & Coffee Trade Journal.