Sweet Leaf Coffee-Tea Blend capitalizes on coffee-tea growth
According market research firm IRI, the coffee-tea category has reached more than $4.2 billion in sales and has grown by 3.35% over the last 52 weeks ending Jan. 26. Nestle Waters North America-owned Sweet Leaf hopes to capitalize with a RTD coffee-tea hybrid.
Taking inspiration from Asian tea lattes and US consumers’ penchant for a shot of espresso in their tea drinks with its newest beverage line of Sweet Leaf Coffee-Tea Blend.The blends, offered in original and vanilla flavors, the will appeal to those consumers in search of less caffeine than coffee but more than tea. (Indeed, caffeine intake has become the subject of increased scrutiny by the FDA and industry groups.)
Per 8 oz. serving, the Original flavor contains 26 milligrams of caffeine and the Vanilla flavor has 34 milligrams of caffeine. Both flavors are packaged in a 16 oz. bottle, Certified Organic, contain 50 calories and 12 grams of sugar per serving and have a suggested retail price of $1.49.