US dairy alternative brand Califia Farms is set to capitalise on the boom in plant-based drinks by launching its premium range in the UK.
The brand, established in California in 2010, will debut at the London Coffee Festival from 6 to 9 April, before launching its Barista Blend Almondmilk (rsp: £3.40/946ml) and RTD Cold Brew Coffee (rsp: £5.99/946ml) into Whole Foods Market stores during the same month.
A total of eight products will then go on sale in 400 Sainsbury’s stores from May, with further listings in Ocado also lined up.
Califia was a ”top seller in the US natural channel” and outsold Starbucks in the speciality refrigerated category, claimed founder Greg Steltenpohl. The brand saw value sales in the US grow by 77% last year [SPINS/IRI 52 w/e 25 December 2016].
Following Califia’s success across the pond, Steltenpohl predicted a positive response from consumers in the UK.
Almondmilk in particular was a hit with speciality baristas, thanks to its “stretch factor”, which created better latte art, and an “artisanal approach”, which meant only freshly ground blanched almonds were used, said the brand.
The coffee is made with 100% arabica beans, sourced from Colombia and Central America, and can be consumed by itself or mixed with almond milk.
The brand enters a UK dairy-free category that is dominated by Alpro, which delivered continued growth this year, with sales up 19.2% to £165.6m [Nielsen 52 w/e 31 December 2016].
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