A Deep Dive into the Future of Food & Beverage
Protein Power
Bulletproof 360 Inc., Seattle, extended its namesake line with two new instant High Protein Iced Coffee blends: Original and Mocha. Officials say a serving delivers 12g of whey protein—with fast-digesting whey isolate and slower-digesting whey concentrate to support muscle protein synthesis over time. The 14oz pouches ($33.99) launched at Bulletproof.com and Amazon, with distribution at Sprouts and HEB planned this fall and broader 2026 distribution.
“High Protein Iced Coffee brings together two of today’s most in-demand trends: protein and iced coffee, in a way that’s simple, great-tasting, and built to support your day from the first sip,” said Andy van Ark, Bulletproof chief commercial officer.
Award Winner
Inspired Functional Brands, Inc. (IFB), Greenwood Village, Colo., said its Wild Calf Caffé Latte earned the Retailer’s Choice Award at the recent Newtopia Now 2025 event in Denver. Sponsored by SPINS, the Retailer Choice award recognizes the most innovative new CPG product as determined by the 1,500 retail buyers who attended this year’s event.
IFB says Wild Calf Caffé Latte is a ready-to-drink “proffee” (protein-coffee beverage) “that blends the taste and texture of a high end coffee shop latte with as much caffeine as a shot of espresso and 8g of complete protein.” All Wild Calf products contain only natural flavors, Colombian coffee, and lactose-free 2% milk sourced from US family-owned dairy farms.
Protein Boost
Organic cold brew coffee specialist Wandering Bear Coffee, New York, N.Y., introduced a ready-to-drink Cold Brew Latte line in three flavors: Double Latte, Vanilla, and Mocha. Each 8oz can delivers 11g complete milk protein from ultra-filtered skim milk, 140mg caffeine from Wandering Bear organic, specialty-grade cold brew, 100 calories and only 5-6g natural cane sugar (varies by flavor). Wandering Bear Cold Brew Latte debuted in mid-September at Whole Foods Market nationwide for $3.99 per can.
“Great taste and creaminess were our north stars,” said Matt Bachmann, CEO and Co-Founder. “We challenged ourselves to craft a great-tasting canned latte that wasn’t just less bad, but genuinely good for you—something that tastes like an indulgence, yet fuels your body.”
Fall Flavor
Daily Harvest Inc., New York, N.Y., said its new, limited-edition Pumpkin Spice Latte was made with organic Japanese Kabocha squash, organic maple syrup, and a blend of nutmeg, cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, cloves, and black pepper. It debuted September 8 at dailyharvest.com and came in a six-pack for $11.99 (less than $1.99 per serving) while supplies lasted.
“It wouldn’t be fall without a Pumpkin Spice Latte (PSL), but the traditional versions pack over 50 grams of sugar. At Daily Harvest, we’ve created a PSL that delivers the same cozy, nostalgic flavor with just 8 grams of sugar and made only from organic pumpkin and warming spices. It’s a seasonal ritual you can feel good about enjoying every day,” says Ricky Silver, CEO.
Cold Comfort
Late spring saw Danone North America (DNA), Louisville, Colo., partner with GoTo Foods (formerly Focus Brands) to create International Delight Cinnabon Iced Coffee. It debuted at select convenience, grocery and dollar stores nationwide in 15oz cans for a suggested retail price of $2.68.
“International Delight is known for our delicious and culture-driven collaborations, and the opportunity to partner with the iconic Cinnabon brand was too sweet to pass up,” said Rebecca Grad, DNA director of ready-to-drink coffee.
Instant Boost
Laird Superfood Inc., Boulder, Colo., extended its namesake line with Vanilla Instant Latte with real vanilla bean powder. Officials say it also offers energy benefits from the brand’s “Performance Mushroom Blend,” which includes lion’s mane, cordyceps, chaga, and maitake mushroom extracts. The product also contains a trademarked multi-mineral sea algae complex, which provides an excellent source of calcium.
“We’re excited to bring one of America’s favorite coffee flavors—vanilla—to our lineup with our new Vanilla Instant Latte,” said Jason Vieth, CEO of Laird Superfood. “Our Instant Latte line continues to gain in popularity, and adding more flavors like this makes it easier for folks to switch up their daily routine with another quick, healthy and delicious option.”
Flavor Fun
This spring saw Bones Coffee Company, Cape Coral, Fla., extend its RTD latte line with two new flavors debuting at Walmart stores nationwide: Salty Siren and Cookies N’ Dreams. The lattes are available in single cans ($2.98), 4-packs ($15.99), and 12-packs ($36.99).
“We’re excited to expand our ready-to-drink latte line with two of our most popular flavors,” said Travis Rule, Bones Coffee CEO and co-owner. “Salty Siren and Cookies N’ Dreams have been longtime customer favorites, and we’re excited to give fans a new way to enjoy these flavors—no brewing required.”
Quick Cold Brew Solution
Red Diamond Coffee & Tea, Birmingham, Ala., introduced Fitz Cold Brew Coffee Concentrate to help foodservice operators create premium cold coffee drinks with quick and easy preparation. Fitz Cold Brew Concentrate, a 7:1 mix, simply requires one 16oz. bottle of concentrate and 112oz of water to make a gallon of cold brew.
“Coffee culture is booming like never before with the rising popularity of cold drinks and demand for variety and customization,” said Emily Wood Bowron Forehand, executive vice president at Red Diamond Coffee & Tea. “Fitz Cold Brew Concentrate offers operators an on-demand, high-quality solution that helps them prepare the perfect cup of cold brew across all dayparts.”
Better Brains
Z Natural Foods, West Palm Beach, Fla., extended its superfood blends line with Organic Cognitive Cacao and Coffee with Matcha, MCTs & Mushrooms. Officials say the formula pairs organic cacao powder with premium Arabica instant coffee, matcha green-tea powder and creamy organic MCT-oil “for a smooth, barista-quality cup.” It also features Organic red reishi and lion’s mane extracts.
Consumers simply mix two tablespoons (16g) with 8-12oz of hot or cold water, or blend into smoothies. The blend is offered in 1lb, 5lb and 55lb pouches.
DIY Café Kit!
This summer saw Nestlé USA, Arlington, Va., extend its Nescafé line with two new Espresso Concentrate varieties: Black and Sweet Vanilla. In conjunction, it launched a promotional Espresso Lemonade pairing with Swoon (Be Mixed LLC) and its Swoon zero-sugar beverage brand. Limited-edition kits let consumers create their own DIY café-style drink with both new Nescafé Espresso Concentrates and two 12oz cans of Swoon Classic Lemonade.
“We’re always looking for fresh, unexpected ways to tap into trends that capture Gen Z’s attention. Whether it’s the latest espresso hack or customizing espresso-based drinks to fit every unique taste, it’s our commitment to stay at the forefront of innovation,” said Felipe Acosta, Nescafé senior brand marketing manager.
Australian Style Option
After debuting in convenience stores in 2022, Land O Sun LLC, Live, Oak, Fla., continues to expand retail distribution for THUNDER CoffeeMilk, a three-item line of Australian style iced coffees, which utilize milk instead of water. Varieties include Double Espresso Latte, Mocha Latte and Vanilla Latte ($26.69.99/12-Pack) and the shelf-stable, 11oz can delivers 9g of protein and either 75mg or 150mg of caffeine (Double Espresso). Each variety contains just five ingredients: lactose-free whole milk, sugar, cold-brewed coffee, natural flavor, and coffee. This summer saw the company expand distribution in both Texas and the Pacific Northwest.
