For a lot of us, caffeine is part of our regular routine, but coffee, tea, and espresso drink flavors should be anything but routine.
Coffee shops are among the fastest-growing concepts in the U.S. Beverages have to be on the cutting edge to make a mark in this crowded space. That’s why experimentation with beverages is happening all the time, in all corners of the globe. We’ve put together 10 ways to get in on the action.
Honey is a barista’s friend. It counterbalances the bitterness of coffee, tea, and espresso. It has functional benefits. It pairs well with just about everything—nuts, cheese, fruit, florals, chocolate. Take honey to the next level by exploring different varieties (e.g., hot honey or wildflower honey) or experimenting with different preparations (e.g., smoked or salted).
Another appeal of honey is that it’s a natural sweetener. Natural sweeteners are expected to gain traction from consumers in 2023, as they seek out cleaner ingredients that don’t undergo so much processing. Turn to dates, pure maple syrup, coconut sugar, and fruit juice to give beverages a naturally sweet touch.
It’s never too cold outside for a cold beverage. Cold coffee consumption is expected to surpass hot coffee by 2030, and even in the chilly holiday season, chains debuted milkshakes. Make iced, frozen, and cold brew options available year round and don’t be afraid to introduce cold drink specials even in cold months. To ensure the coffee flavor isn’t diluted in iced beverages, substitute traditional ice cubes with black ice (i.e., ice cubes made with coffee instead of water).
Consumers are taking their environmental concerns to the cafe, increasingly opting for plant-based milks. While almond and soy milk are the long-time favorites, oat has undergone amazing growth, with mentions of oat milk on U.S. menus increasing nearly 1,700 percent the past four years according to Datassential SNAP!
Trend trackers have been watching florals blossom on menus in recent years. While no stranger to tea, florals like rose, lavender, and hibiscus are now adding their fragrance and color to other beverages. Get in on the trend by using orange blossom honey or elderflower syrup to put a spin on a classic mocha.
Behind Brazil, Vietnam is the world’s next top coffee producer. While coffee was first introduced to the country through French settlers, they’ve come to develop their own distinct drip coffee beverages, made with robusta coffee beans, condensed milk, and even egg custard.
Thailand is another southeast Asian coffee that has had a big impact on coffee and tea. Like Vietnam, Thailand often turns to condensed milk to sweeten up tea and coffee beverages. Adding cardamom to ground coffee beans before brewing gives Thai iced coffee its signature spice.
Latte art and colorful boba tea have gotten a lot of hearts and thumbs ups on social media, but now it takes more to make a big impression. TikTok has given rise to extravagant beverages decked in glitter, topped with mounds of whipped cream, and poured over specialty ice cubes.
Classic desserts serve as a good starting point for fantastical creations. Think churro frappes with a long churro emerging from the whipped cream or cheesecake bubble tea with a graham cracker rim.
Yelp searches for underwater restaurants skyrocketed 263 percent last year. That doesn’t mean restaurants should submerge their brick-and-mortars into the ocean, but it does mean that consumers are looking for bold, memorable dining experiences. Whimsical presentations and flavors are a great way to dip your toes into creating a social-media-worthy beverage experience. Take a big plunge by offering flights, tastings, and a topping bar.
Not every consumer has time for a full-blown experience, and not every restaurant has the bandwidth for a full-blown coffee menu. For these consumers and restaurants, ditch the espresso machine and go for ready-to-drink (R2D/RTD) coffee. As one of the fastest growing beverage categories, R2D coffee is a great option for consumers on the run at all times of day.
Strong-willed consumers looking to develop healthier habits might look for caffeine alternatives, like chicory or herbal teas. Latch on to the functional ingredient trend with caffeine-free beverages packed with health benefits. Honey, spices, and other functional favorites deliver enough flavor to still make healthy drinks feel like an indulgence.
Your Sourcing Solution
For some, coffee, tea, and espresso are perfect on their own, but most people need a little something extra—or something extravagant. Make Dot Foods your go-to source for ingredients and supplies to help you go the extra mile to amplify your beverage offering.
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