TEA & COFFEE


Health, wealth and happiness


Earlier in the year Mintel published what it believed to be the five top coffee and tea trends to look out for in 2017. Do these ring true in the vending sector?


Number one on the list is the break out of nitro coffee. This drink is made by adding nitrogen to cold brew coffee. Already available in third wave coffee shops and as a ready-to-drink beverage, this drink has now hit the mainstream thanks to Starbucks. Next on the list is the coffee/tea hybrid cascara, a slightly


tart/bitter caffeinated beverage created by the discarded skin of coffee cherries. New wave processing is third on the list. According to Mintel, the


last decade was characterised by the growth of third wave coffee houses. These establishments focus on where the coffee came from and how it is prepared, a growing trend in 2017. Fourth on the list is the merging of coffee and alcohol. Mintel


research has found that one third of consumers aged 22-34 would like to see more coffee shops serving alcohol. While an alcohol and coffee partnership is nothing new, coffee cocktails are becoming more complex as bartenders use coffee in more interesting ways. And finally, number five on the list is functional teas. Functional


teas are the ideal beverage for those looking for a better-for-you drink. Matcha is a great example of this due to its high levels of antioxidants. Turmeric is now being used in speciality herbal tea drinks. And kombucha is being positioned as a functional beverage due to its probiotics.


VENDING TRENDS But what coffee and tea trends are big in the world of vending at the moment? Paul Shaw, sales director at Refreshment Systems, agrees with


point five on the list from Mintel. “We have seen a big rise in health and nutrition, with a selection of herbal teas, caffeine free coffee


22 | vendinginternational-online.com


alternatives and non-diary options,” he says. “There has also been the introduction of formats such as cold bottled green tea, oolong tea, mate tea and soft drinks with tea extracts.” Richard Brinsley, managing director of Westomatic, has also


noticed a rise in the trend for speciality teas. “Teas such as green, oolong and matcha have recently become increasingly popular for their unique taste and their many health benefits. Consumers are always on the lookout for drinks that provide benefits such as energy boosting, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant which makes speciality tea a perfect choice. Some even claim to reduce body fat.” On the coffee side of things, Phil Smith, head of category and


insight at UCC Coffee UK & Ireland, says that the out of home coffee market has set the bar high for coffee quality. He adds: “Vending operators need to make sure their coffee offer makes the grade.” While over at Barry Callebaut Beverages UK, Paula Bentley, head


of sales, says that flavoured cappuccinos have proven to be a big success in recent years, adding: “The trend to experiment with new flavours is showing no signs of abating. The younger the audience, the more likely they are to try new things and vending is fast catching up with the high street to address this demand.” What is clear is that consumers are always on the lookout for new


and interesting alternatives to the basic cup of tea or coffee. The vending market needs to ensure it keeps up with trends as they come and go. And as Paula concludes: “Many consumers will choose a


cappuccino or a latte over a standard black or white coffee as it provides them with something a little different than what they would prepare for themselves at home. The key here is choice – that is, ultimately, what the consumer wants.”


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