Nestlé is leveraging its coffee innovation expertise to meet the rising consumer demand for premium soluble cold coffee. The company’s R&D experts have developed an innovative freeze-drying technique, enabling Nestlé to offer consumers an exceptional cold coffee experience that combines the convenience of soluble coffee with the quality they expect from premium coffee.
Traditionally, freeze-drying is used to create premium soluble coffee, contributing to a smooth, rich, and balanced flavor profile. However, challenges arise when developing premium soluble cold coffee, as it does not easily dissolve in cold liquids. By optimizing key parameters for the freeze-drying technology, Nestlé can now produce premium soluble coffee that dissolves seamlessly in cold liquids. This technology was first used in the launch of Nescafé Iced Blend in Japan, allowing consumers to enjoy a great-tasting, high-quality soluble cold coffee experience.
Damien Tissot, Head of R&D for Coffee at Nestlé, states, “We are responding to the rising demand for cold coffee by continuously delivering innovative solutions for our major brands and across geographies. By offering both mainstream and premium options, we can enhance the cold coffee experience and give consumers more choices to suit their individual tastes and needs.”
In addition, a collaboration between Starbucks and Nestlé coffee experts led to the launch of the Starbucks Crema Collection Premium Instant Coffee, a first-of-a-kind product that delivers café-quality flavor and experiences in just seconds. This unique premium soluble coffee can be prepared with both hot and cold liquids, making it versatile for different uses.
Damien Tissot adds: “The term ‘Crema’ typically refers to the reddish-golden froth on the top of a freshly made espresso shot that’s full of flavor, texture, and aromas. The latest instant coffee innovation captures this essence by delivering this rich layer of foam over the 100% Arabica coffee in just a few seconds, providing consumers with a café-quality coffee experience, whether they have it as a cold or hot beverage.”
Through the Global Coffee Alliance, Nestlé and Starbucks bring to market a wide range of products. The alliance combines the strength and affinity of the Starbucks brand and the company’s coffee expertise with Nestlé’s proprietary science and technology coffee and beverage platforms, manufacturing know-how and market reach.
Available nationwide in the U.S., the Starbucks Crema Collection comes in three flavors: Salted Caramel, Madagascar Vanilla, and Molten Chocolate. Each flavor can be enjoyed hot, cold, or iced, black or with milk or creamer, offering consumers a high-quality customizable coffee experience.
Additionally, Nestlé continues to expand its offerings with the rollout of the Nescafé Espresso Concentrate range. Designed to capture the out-of-home cold coffee experience, this premium liquid coffee concentrate offers barista-style personalized iced coffees. The products are currently available in several countries across Oceania, Asia, North America, and the UK, with the rollout ongoing.
Nestlé’s R&D expertise in coffee encompasses the entire value chain, from plant science to roasting, brewing, and aroma development, reinforcing Nestlé’s position as a leader in coffee innovation. Its primary coffee R&D hub, located in Orbe, Switzerland, focuses on developing cutting-edge coffee products, including out-of-home solutions and beverage systems.
