Nestlé launches first plant-based instant white coffees

07-Aug-2019 - Last updated on 08-Aug-2019 at 07:53 GMT

The plant-based lattes will be rolled out in markets across Asia, Europe, Latin America and Oceania

Related tags vegan Drinks

Nestlé has launched what it claims are the world’s first plant-based instant frothy coffees under its Nescafé Gold brand, using almond, oat and coconut milk.

The products are certified by The Vegan Society, bearing its sunflower trademark, and are available exclusively from UK and Ireland Tesco stores until February 2020, when distribution will broaden to include other UK retailers.

Nestlé said blends of 100% Arabica coffees had been mixed with the plant-based ingredients to create the lattes and, despite the lack of dairy milk, each mug contained calcium. A Nestlé spokesman told Food Manufacture: "The source of calcium comes from added calcium carbonate. The packs don’t currently display the ‘source of calcium’ claim, but this will be added in the coming months."

Nescafé Gold Almond Latte and Nescafé Gold Oat Latte are both being sold in packs of 6x16g (96g) and Nescafé Gold Coconut Latte is being sold in packs of 6x15g (90g). The recommended retail price is £2.98 and is at the sole discretion of the retailer.

While other manufacturers have produced ready-to-drink coffee products blended with plant-based milks for the out-of-home market, Nestlé claims its innovation is the first such blend to be sold in store as a soluble product.

Plant-based, non-dairy

“Our new premium Nescafé Gold frothy coffees bring the plant-based, non-dairy trend out of the coffee shop and into the home,” said Neil Stephens, head of the Nescafé business in the UK and Ireland. “We are quick to spot and embrace fast-moving coffee trends and tastes in this highly competitive and innovative market.

“Our new plant-based vegan latte mixes are the latest in a long list of innovations to bring new and exciting sensory experiences to our loyal Nescafé consumers.”

The plant-based lattes would be rolled out in several markets across Asia, Europe, Latin America and Oceania in due course, Nestlé said.

Nescafé Azera

Last month the company’s premium Nescafé Azera brand launched roast and ground coffee bags in the UK and Ireland, which are the first coffee bags specially formulated to be enjoyed as a hot or cold brew.

In March, the company launched nitrogen-infused coffee products, Azera Nitro Latte and Azera Nitro Americano, in the UK and Ireland. It also announced the launch of its plant-based burger The Gourmet Garden Incredible Burger in April.

Last year the Nescafé brand entered the growing ‘Origins’ arena with the launch of its Nescafé Gold Origins range, which allow consumers to explore coffees originating from different parts of the world.

The new vegan lattes will complement the existing range of 17 Nescafé Gold frothy coffees.