Caffè Bocca della Verità is entering the tea and infusions market with a new product range designed to broaden its portfolio beyond coffee and tap into growing consumer demand for functional and flavour-led beverages. The collection includes blends such as Narciso, Venus, Victoria, Bellona, Gaia, Aurora, Veritas, Minerva and Providentia. Each is developed with a distinct aromatic profile and positioned for different consumption occasions throughout the day, from morning energy-boosting drinks to evening relaxation blends. The company said the range was developed through careful ingredient selection and product research, with a focus on flavour balance and perceived wellbeing benefits. The launch marks the brand’s first structured move into the hot tea and infusion category, extending its expertise in beverage development beyond coffee. Caffè Bocca della Verità said the new line reflects changing consumer habits, particularly growing interest in variety, natural ingredients and drinks that offer both taste and functional positioning. Alongside the tea launch, the brand will continue to develop its core coffee business, which includes beans, ground coffee, pods and compatible capsules for systems such as Nespresso and Dolce Gusto. It has also been expanding across retail and horeca channels, supported by international distribution and e-commerce growth. The company said the diversification into teas forms part of a wider strategy to evolve into a broader beverage brand while maintaining its Italian roasting heritage and focus on quality sourcing and product consistency.

Lipton Teas & Infusions has appointed Grant Reid as chair, effective immediately. Reid previously served as chief executive of Mars for nine years, following more than three decades at the business. During that period, company sales rose by over 50%, alongside expansion in its pet services division. He currently holds board roles at Vanguard and Marriott International. Between 2021 and 2024, he chaired the Sustainable Markets Initiative Agribusiness Taskforce, convened by King Charles III, focusing on regenerative agriculture. He has also served on the board of the Consumer Goods Forum, where he co-chaired the governance committee and worked on the Forest Positive Initiative. Reid will work with Lipton chief executive Marc Busain, who joined the business in October, as the company continues its growth strategy. Reid said: “I am delighted to join Lipton as chair at such an exciting time for the company. Lipton is a business with wonderful brands, real heritage and a place in people’s everyday lives all over the world." "Businesses like this succeed through creating value for consumers, partners and communities – with purpose and performance going hand in hand. I look forward to working with Marc, the board and the leadership team as Lipton builds its next chapter.” Busain added: “I am thrilled that someone with the stature and experience of Grant has agreed to become our new chair and I am confident he will be an invaluable support and source of wisdom and challenge for all of us.”

Emmi Caffè Latte is rolling out a new Protein Chocolate Cappuccino alongside wider Tesco expansion as it targets growth in the £364 million ready-to-drink iced coffee category. Emmi Caffè Latte Zero From week commencing 11 May, the new 330ml Protein Chocolate Cappuccino will launch nationwide in Tesco, alongside the brand’s Emmi Caffè Latte Zero 370ml entering the Tesco Meal Deal for the first time. According to Emmi, the Protein Chocolate Cappuccino is positioned in the growing functional dairy segment, where protein drinks are up 53.3% year on year. It contains 7.8g of protein per 100ml and is made with hand-roasted arabica beans, fresh Swiss milk and protein concentrate rather than ultra-processed isolates. The launch forms part of the brand’s wider 'Be Ready' campaign, which includes TV, out-of-home advertising across UK cities, digital and social activity, and shopper marketing. Experiential activity will include a branded van visiting high-footfall locations such as city centres, train stations and sporting events. Georgia Lightbody, senior brand manager at Emmi Caffè Latte, said: “Bringing Emmi Caffè Latte Zero into the Tesco Meal Deal is a significant step for the brand, allowing us to reach shoppers at scale with a no-added-sugar option that appeals to consumers looking for a healthier option". "At the same time, our new Emmi Caffè Latte Protein Chocolate Cappuccino taps into growing demand for functional, on-the-go formats. Backed by strong investment across TV, OOH and digital, we’re focused on driving trial and reinforcing Emmi Caffè Latte as the go-to for an on-the-go refreshing energy boost throughout the day.” Emmi Caffè Latte Zero 370ml will have an RRP of £2.95, while the Protein Chocolate Cappuccino 330ml will retail at £2.50.

Starbucks reported a rise in second-quarter sales and earnings, driven by higher customer traffic and early gains from its turnaround strategy, even as margins faced pressure in North America. The coffee chain said global comparable store sales increased 6.2% in the 13 weeks to 29 March, led by a 3.8% rise in transactions and a 2.3% increase in average ticket. Net revenues rose 9% year-on-year to $9.5 billion, while diluted earnings per share climbed 32% to $0.45. On a non-GAAP basis, EPS reached $0.50, up 22%. Chief executive Brian Niccol said the quarter marked a turning point for the company’s “Back to Starbucks” plan, which aims to reinvigorate store experience and improve operational discipline. In North America, comparable store sales increased 7.1%, supported by a 4.4% rise in transactions. Segment revenues grew 7% to $6.9 billion. However, operating income in the region fell 9% to $679.9 million, with margins contracting to 9.9% from 11.6% a year earlier. The decline was attributed to higher labour investment tied to the turnaround plan, product mix shifts and inflation, including elevated coffee costs. Internationally, performance was more mixed. Comparable store sales rose 2.6%, with modest ticket growth and stronger transactions. In China, comps edged up 0.5%, as a decline in average spend offset traffic gains. Despite softer sales momentum, international operating income surged 84% to $398.6 million, with margins expanding to 19.4%. This was largely driven by lower depreciation and operating costs linked to the classification of Starbucks’ China retail operations as held for sale. The company’s Channel Development segment, which includes packaged coffee and ready-to-drink products, posted 39% revenue growth to $567.8 million, supported by gains in the Global Coffee Alliance. Operating income in the segment rose 19%, although margins narrowed due to product mix and joint venture dynamics. During the quarter, Starbucks expanded its global store base to 41,129 locations, with the US and China accounting for 61% of the total. The company also advanced structural changes in China, completing a deal with Boyu Capital that will see the investor take a 60% stake in the local retail business, with Starbucks retaining 40%. Looking ahead, Starbucks raised its full-year guidance, forecasting global comparable sales growth of at least 5% and non-GAAP EPS of $2.25 to $2.45. The company said it expects margin improvement to continue as cost discipline and sales growth build through the remainder of the year.

Premium coffee brand L’or is expanding its range with the launch of Coconut Iced Capsules, aimed at tapping into rising demand for flavoured, barista-style drinks at home. Designed specifically for iced coffee, the product features a tailored roast and grind intended to deliver strong flavour, aroma and intensity when served cold. The launch reflects growing consumer interest in indulgent and flavoured coffee, particularly among younger shoppers, as well as the continued rise of iced coffee consumption in the UK. According to the company, coconut is now among the top five trending flavours, while nearly two-thirds of consumers aged 16-34 are interested in more indulgent coffee options. At the same time, iced coffee is increasingly being consumed later in the day, creating new consumption occasions beyond traditional morning coffee. L’or said the new capsules are designed to help retailers attract younger consumers and drive growth in the at-home coffee segment, which has benefited from shoppers looking to recreate café-style drinks at home. Maria Kabalyk, head of category and shopper at JDE Peet’s, the parent company of L'or, said: "The consumer demand for indulgent, barista-style iced and flavoured coffees at home represents a significant growth driver for the retailers. Our new L'or Coconut Iced Capsules directly address this trend." "By offering a meticulously engineered capsule that delivers a perfectly balanced, refreshing coffee experience over ice, we're empowering retailers to tap into new consumption occasions, attract younger, premium-seeking shoppers and drive substantial category growth in the at-home coffee market.” The capsules are made from aluminium and can be recycled through the Podback scheme, while the outer packaging is widely recyclable. The Coconut Iced Capsules, priced at £4.69 for a pack of 10, will launch exclusively in Asda from 4 May, before rolling out to Waitrose at the end of the month.

Nestlé has agreed to sell its Blue Bottle Coffee business to private equity firm Centurium Capital, signalling the latest step in the food giant’s ongoing portfolio reshaping. Late last year, Nestlé announced that it was reportedly exploring the sale of Blue Bottle Coffee, as part of a broader strategic review initiated by new CEO Philipp Navratil. In March, it was reported that Centurium Capital Partners was in advanced talks to acquire Nestlé’s Blue Bottle Coffee. The deal, announced as part of Nestlé’s first-quarter results, is expected to close in the first half of 2026, subject to customary conditions. Financial terms were not disclosed. The divestment signals a shift in strategy for Nestlé, which has been actively reviewing its portfolio to focus on higher-growth and scalable categories. The company said it is also exploring options for other parts of its business, including engaging with potential partners for its Waters & Premium Beverages division and seeking buyers for its mainstream vitamins, minerals and supplements segment. Blue Bottle Coffee, a premium speciality coffee roaster and retailer, was acquired by Nestlé in 2017 as part of a push into high-end coffee. Coffee remains a key growth engine for the group. In the first quarter, the category delivered organic growth of 9.3%, driven by both pricing and improved volumes, with strong performance from brands such as Nescafé. Overall, Nestlé reported organic sales growth of 3.5% for the three-month period, supported by positive momentum across most regions and categories despite macroeconomic uncertainty and the lingering impact of an infant formula recall earlier in the year. Chief executive Philipp Navratil said the company’s performance reflects progress against its strategy, with a continued focus on “RIG-led growth” – increasing volumes alongside pricing – and targeted investment in key platforms such as coffee and food.

Celsius has unveiled Electric Vibe, a limited-edition Sparkling Tropical Freeze flavour inspired by football culture and fan communities. Electric Vibe combines notes of pineapple, orange, cherry and grape, with Celsius adapting its Live. Fit. Go. tagline to Live. Fit. Goal. for the launch. To support the launch, Celsius has introduced “The Surge,” a football-themed campaign featuring Weston McKennie, Declan Rice, Hirving Lozano, creator Marlon Garcia and Diplo. Kyle Watson, chief brand officer at Celsius, said the launch was designed to celebrate the energy, passion and connection surrounding football culture. Electric Vibe is available at major US retailers, including Target.

The Coffee Canopy Partnership, initiated by JDE Peet's, has launched with the aim of improving the identification and remediation of coffee-related deforestation. Developed alongside major coffee sector players including Louis Dreyfus Company, Sucden, Neumann Kaffee Gruppe, Touton, Sucafina and Tchibo, the initiative aims to create what it describes as the world’s first comprehensive, openly accessible map of global coffee production. The project will use satellite technology from Airbus to map coffee farms, identify areas of forest loss and support restoration efforts, while helping to protect the livelihoods of smallholder farmers. The first phase is an East Africa pilot covering Ethiopia, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Burundi and Rwanda, spanning 1.2 million square kilometres of coffee-growing landscapes. The partnership plans to expand to all coffee-growing regions globally in 2027 through wider industry and institutional investment. Laurent Sagarra, VP of engagement at JDE Peet’s, said the initiative was designed to move beyond fragmented company-led deforestation programmes by supporting landscape-scale collaboration. He added: “This is not another certification scheme; it is a sector-led initiative aimed at strengthening collective action to help keep forests vibrant and reduce the risk of coffee-driven deforestation over time". The pilot phase is backed by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and endorsed by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization. The programme also addresses mapping issues linked to the European Union Deforestation Regulation, under which coffee grown on land classified as forest after December 2020 cannot enter EU markets. The Partnership said inaccurate land classification has risked excluding smallholder farmers, particularly those operating shade-grown and agroforestry systems, from key export markets. To address this, the project plans to develop two datasets: a 2020-2021 baseline map showing the extent of coffee cultivation, and a 2024-2025 updated map highlighting potential new production land and areas where forest change has occurred since 2020. These maps are expected to feed into an open geospatial platform intended to support farmers, governments and the wider coffee sector with sustainability planning and forest protection.

Free Soul has partnered with PerfectTed to launch two new functional beverage products: Matcha Protein and Matcha Collagen Latte. The new range combines PerfectTed’s matcha with Free Soul’s nutritional formulations, offering consumers a natural caffeine source alongside added protein or collagen. Matcha Protein contains 18g of complete protein, while Matcha Collagen Latte provides 2,500mg of collagen peptides. The launch comes amid growing demand for coffee alternatives and functional products containing ingredients such as protein and collagen. Both drinks are made with whole-leaf ceremonial grade matcha, which is naturally rich in antioxidants and L-theanine. Lucy Murray, brand director at Free Soul, said: “Matcha is one of the biggest trends in drinks right now, and our community had been asking us for a matcha moment for a long time – particularly one that delivered the nutritional benefits of protein and collagen". "Partnering with PerfectTed allowed us to combine our expertise in women’s nutrition with their leadership in matcha to create something genuinely new – a functional latte that feels indulgent but works hard nutritionally.” Marisa Poster, co-founder of PerfectTed, added: “This partnership with Free Soul is all about our communities. We kept seeing the same thing from both sides: people turning to matcha for a natural source of caffeine and already adding collagen and protein into their daily routines. So, we teamed up to create something that simply did not exist yet." "A genuinely great-tasting matcha that delivers on function, without compromising on ingredients, and brings two female-founded brands together in a way that feels real, not forced.” The new products are available via Free Soul’s website, Amazon and TikTok Shop, as well as in-store at Holland & Barrett. A roll-out to Tesco is scheduled for 1 June.

Exchange for Change has confirmed that a flat 20p deposit will apply to all in-scope containers when the Deposit Return Scheme launches across England, Scotland and Northern Ireland in October 2027. The deposit will cover single-use drinks containers made from PET plastic, steel and aluminium, ranging from 150ml to 3 litres. Consumers will receive the full 20p back when eligible containers are returned. The announcement follows consultation with industry stakeholders and a review of deposit return schemes operating across Europe and other international markets. According to Exchange for Change, the work assessed different deposit values and variable pricing models to determine an approach that would provide a clear incentive for returns, remain simple for consumers and be practical for producers and retailers. The organisation said confirming the deposit level with just under 18 months until launch is intended to help businesses prepare for the scheme’s introduction. Research carried out as part of the review tested consumer responses to deposits ranging from 10p to 30p. Exchange for Change said deposits below 15p were unlikely to deliver target return rates of 90% of containers within three years, while a 30p charge could place a disproportionate upfront cost on shoppers. The analysis also considered variable deposit values based on container size or material. While used in some markets, Exchange for Change said these structures often lead to lower return rates for smaller containers. Russell Davies, Exchange for Change CEO, said: “The deposit value is a pivotal part of how the deposit return scheme will work in practice. That’s why we’ve engaged widely with industry, undertaken extensive market research and in-depth analysis on how schemes work in other countries. This work has identified that a flat 20p deposit is the most proportionate and sustainable amount for the UK." "Confirming this now, with just under 18 months to go until the DRS is live, will help producers and retailers with their planning and preparation for the scheme, and we will continue to support them closely throughout this process.”

UK start-up Drink Lomi has launched a range of single-serve matcha and vegan cold foam sachets, targeting growth in the premium at-home drinks segment. The Warwickshire-based company’s new line includes 2g AA-grade ceremonial matcha sachets and a 10g vegan “cloud foam” topper, designed to deliver a consistent, barista-style drink without the need for specialist equipment. Founder Harriet Lloyd said the format aims to address common challenges in the matcha category, including freshness, portion control and preparation complexity. “Matcha is premium, but often inconsistent once opened," she said. "We’ve simplified it into a single-serve format that guarantees quality every time.” The products are positioned for both retail and trade, with applications spanning home consumption, offices and hospitality settings. According to the company, the pre-portioned format can help reduce waste, extend shelf life and streamline stock management. Drink Lomi is also developing a pipeline of single-serve syrups and toppings as it looks to broaden its offering in the customisable drinks space. The brand is targeting distribution across grocery, wellness and lifestyle retail channels, following early placements in independent stores and experiential environments.

McWin Capital Partners has made a strategic investment in Incapto, a coffee-as-a-service platform targeting both households and businesses. Founded in 2020, Incapto combines in-house roasting, IoT-enabled bean-to-cup machines and a subscription model to offer an alternative to single-use coffee capsules. Through its McWin Food Tech Fund I, the firm is investing €5 million as lead investor in Incapto’s €10 million Series B round. McWin said the deal reflects its focus on backing scalable food tech businesses with recurring revenue models and a clear path to profitability, with Incapto set to join its growing portfolio. The round also includes new co-investors Cardumen Capital and Lever VC, alongside existing backers Banc Sabadell, P101, A3 Media and JME. McWin said the investment aligns with its strategy to support growth-stage food tech companies focused on sustainability and scalable business models. Incapto’s recurring revenue structure and path to profitability were cited as key factors behind the deal. Martin Davalos, partner and head of food tech at McWin Capital Partners, said: “At McWin, we are committed to backing high-growth companies that deliver not only exceptional financial results but also sustainable and scalable solutions". "Our foodservice strategy has enabled us to support brands in successfully expanding across various European markets including Spain. However, this marks the first investment in Spain under our Food Tech strategy, representing a significant milestone for McWin. Incapto’s innovative platform is closely aligned with our mission to drive transformative progress in the food sector, and we are excited to contribute to the company’s next stage of growth.” As part of the partnership, McWin will support Incapto’s growth through its network of quick-service restaurant and foodservice operators, with potential to expand the platform across new locations in multiple markets. Incapto plans to expand internationally into France, Portugal and other markets in 2026, targeting rising demand for more sustainable coffee solutions. The company reports more than 20,000 active subscribers in its B2C segment, with coffee-only subscriptions achieving a 98% revenue retention rate after two years and an LTV/CAC ratio of up to 5x. Joaquim Mach, co-founder and co-CEO of Incapto, said McWin’s “unparalleled expertise in the food industry” and shared focus on building a sustainable food ecosystem make it “the ideal partner” for the company’s next phase of growth.