KANSAS CITY — The coffee industry is getting a little bit sweeter, as innovation within the coffee creamer category continues to tap into consumer trends. One trend that drove new product growth in 2023 and that continues to drive growth in 2024 is customization.
“Consumers are bypassing the coffee shop and making their own specialty coffee beverages at home, often replicating the cold coffee drinks seen on their social media feeds,” said Caleb Bryant, associate director of food and drink at Mintel in a September 2023 interview. “Increased interest in premium at-home coffee experiences will drive retail coffee sales and offer both coffee brands and complementary coffee categories key growth opportunities.”
In response to the popularity of cold foam coffee products from foodservice companies like Starbucks, International Delight, a portfolio brand of Danone North America, introduced a cold foam creamer, which comes in a container much like that of canned whipped cream.
“With International Delight Cold Foam Creamer, we are delivering an innovative and convenient new way to effortlessly bring a foamy, creamy twist to your daily coffee ritual,” said Kallie Goodwin, vice president of marketing for Danone North America’s coffee creamers business. “This revolutionary product allows coffee lovers nationwide to revel in a foaming delicious, multi-sensorial experience with delightful flavors and texture in every sip.”
The J.M. Smucker Co., which features coffee brands like Dunkin’, Folgers and Café Bustelo, is attempting to meet consumers where they’re at through products that make customization easy, specifically customization of cold coffee products.
Smucker’s Dunkin’ brand is expanding its retail presence through limited-time offerings inspired by Dunkin’s latest donuts. In February, the brand launched a Dunkin’ brownie batter creamer, inspired by the brownie batter donut.
“With COVID, people were home and they started making their own cold coffees,” said Tina Meyer-Hawkes, vice president of liquid coffee venture at Smucker, in an interview with Food Business News. “In a way, they created a movement that changed the definition of coffee at home. The end experience coffee is more of an ingredient in the finished product.”
