Schaerer has unveiled its Twin Milk system as a new addition to its Schaerer Coffee Skye automated coffee machine. The new system allows for a wide variety of beverages with reduced staff workload. The Twin Milk system features a dual-container cooling unit for different milk types, including vegan alternatives, ensuring consistent foam for lattes, cappuccinos and more. The Pure Foam milk system delivers hot and cold milk and fine-pored foam from 50°C to 70°C. The milk system has a compact internal volume, minimising water usage for rinsing and cleaning. For manual frothing, Schaerer offers two steam wands: the automated 'Supersteam' and the manual 'Powersteam'. The 'Supersteam' steam wand automates beverage preparation by storing predefined temperatures and foam consistency. Users place a filled mug, touch the display to start frothing, and the process stops automatically when finished. Alternatively, the 'Powersteam' steam wand offers fully manual milk foaming capability. The Twin Milk System comes in two versions to suit different storage needs: one with two 4.5-litre containers as a side cooling unit and another with two 10-litre containers as an under-counter cooling unit. #Schaerer #CoffeeSkye

Nestlé has developed a new high-yielding Arabica coffee variety called Star 4 in an effort to strengthen its coffee supply chain amid the threat of climate change. With global coffee demand continuing to rise, recent climate change modelling suggests that land suitable for growing Arabica coffee could be reduced by over 50% by 2050. To mitigate the impact on coffee supplies, Nestlé has harnessed its agricultural sciences capabilities to breed the new variety. Selected in Brazil for its resilience, Star 4 also possesses the characteristic taste of Brazilian coffee. Jeroen Dijkman, head of Nestlé’s Institute of Agricultural Sciences, said: "We are proud to make another important step towards resilient coffee supply chains, ensuring that consumers can continue to enjoy great coffee in the future. The new variety is characterised by its larger bean size and coffee leaf rust resistance." Field trials have shown that Star 4's yields are substantially higher than the two most commonly used Brazilian local varieties, using similar inputs, which helps reduce its carbon footprint. Marcelo Burity, Nestlé's head of green coffee development, added that optimising cultivation practices remains vital, as they are the primary factor contributing to the environmental impact of a cup of coffee. The development of Star 4 aligns with Nestlé's Agriculture Framework, which promotes sustainable farming practices and responsible sourcing. The first plants were tested in the traditional coffee regions of São Paulo and Minas Gerais in Brazil, and Nestlé successfully registered the new Arabica variety in the country in partnership with the Brazilian foundation Procafé. In addition to Star 4, Nestlé has previously developed two Robusta varieties, Roubi 1 and 2, which are being rolled out in Mexico. The company's efforts to bolster its coffee supply chain come as the industry faces growing challenges from climate change, which threatens to disrupt production in major growing regions around the world. #Nestlé #coffee #newproduct

French coffee equipment manufacturer Santos has introduced a new addition to its product lineup with the launch of the I-Grind #67 coffee grinder. The I-Grind #67 is said to be the first grinder on the market to feature a brushless motor capable of an extensive range of speed adjustments. Designed for the speciality coffee sector, the grinder offers slow grinding to preserve coffee aromas. Key features include micrometric grinding adjustments, 63.5mm grinding discs and an integrated LCD display for easy customisation. The grinder operates silently and prevents coffee burning, maintaining dose regularity with its antistatic system. Aurélien Fouquet, president of Santos, said: “The launch of our new I-grind #67 is part of our will and our drive to renew and restyle our coffee range, and reflects the work we're doing hand in hand with barista experts to design the grinders of tomorrow”. #Santos #coffeegrinder

Coffee prices are set to rise even higher, according to Giuseppe Lavazza, chairman of Lavazza Group, due to a combination of economic pressures and supply chain challenges. "The costs of green coffee at source have doubled," Lavazza stated, attributing the spike to several key factors. Significant climate impacts have led to a decline in robusta production from Vietnam and Brazil, the world’s largest coffee exporters. Additionally, geopolitical crises, particularly the war in Ukraine, have driven up energy prices and disrupted shipping routes, notably through the Suez Canal. For UK consumers, this has meant the price of a 1kg bag of beans rising by 15% in a year, and Lavazza said this could increase by 20% to 25% over the coming year. In the US meanwhile, market speculation and the strong dollar, which increases the cost of coffee paid for in the currency, have further complicated the situation. "Every cent of variation means an additional $10 million in raw material costs for us," Lavazza noted during an event held on the sidelines of the Wimbledon tennis tournament on Tuesday, 9 July. These economic strains have led to a 3% contraction in the coffee market as consumers face reduced purchasing power. "Coffee prices are not going to go down, [they’re] going to stay very high,” Lavazza said in comments reported by the Financial Times. “The coffee supply chain is dramatically under pressure.” "We have faced very, very strong headwinds. I don't see any reason why coffee prices will go down," Lavazza predicted. Despite the challenging environment, Lavazza Group achieved its budget targets in 2023 and slightly increased its market share, both in volume and value terms. This was the result of the company's "affordable pricing strategy" to protect consumers, even as it absorbed part of the cost increase in its margins. The group's turnover reached €3.1 billion in 2023, with increases reported in all markets and solid growth in both the home and away from home channels. However, the company's EBITDA fell from €309 million in 2022 to €263 million, with the EBITDA margin declining from 11.4% to 8.6%. "The Group's strategy was to limit consumer price increases in an inflationary environment, protecting volumes and using its margins to absorb part of the cost increase," Lavazza said. #Lavazza #Coffee

Vivreau, a sustainable water solutions provider in North America, has launched its new Extra C-Tap water dispenser. The system features advanced micro-filtration technology, offering five water types including unchilled and chilled still, chilled semi-sparkling, sparkling and on-demand hot water. The Extra C-Tap addresses environmental concerns highlighted by a recent United Nations University report, which indicates that globally, about 600 billion plastic bottles are produced annually, contributing significantly to unrecycled plastic waste. In response, Vivreau's dispenser aims to reduce environmental impact, emitting 86% less CO2 compared to single-use plastic bottles and 64% less than traditional water coolers. It includes energy-saving features like boiler standby and night modes. Key features include ThermalGate, a disinfection tech heating to 257°F to prevent retrograde contamination and eliminate viruses and bacteria, and a stylish stainless-steel tap with a glass touch panel. Optional features and Easy to Access Panel that caters to accessibility needs, meeting ADA requirements. Tom Spillane, VP of technical excellence at Vivreau, said: "We’re thrilled to launch a cutting-edge product that builds upon the features of Vivreau’s best-selling Vi Tap Dispenser, making it our most versatile water dispenser to date. With its variety of options and state-of-the-art technology, the Extra C-Tap is an environmentally friendly alternative to plastic water bottles, and will serve as a premium amenity for an optimal water sensory experience.” The Extra C-Tap will be available from 1 October 2024, replacing Vivreau’s Vi Tap dispensers by early 2025. #Vivreau #NorthAmerica

With Caffè Culture 2024 now only three months away, show organiser Living Media Events has announced this year’s trade show is set to be the largest one since being relaunched in 2018, as it welcomes back a host of leading international brands alongside some of the UK’s most cutting-edge companies. The event, which takes place at London’s iconic Business Design Centre on 1 and 2 October, will see thousands of coffee shop owners and buyers from the multiples and high street chains come together to source, taste and test the very best products and services at the leading trade event for the UK’s speciality coffee and café bar market. Featuring the full range of products and equipment needed to run a successful coffee shop, the show will showcase 100s of innovative new brands that include WMF & Schaerer (Seb Professional), Macap, Astoria & Mazzer (Traders of Surbiton), La Spaziale, Perfect Moose, PuqPress & PourSteady (Brew-it Group) and Water Filtration partner Brita who will be joining esteemed exhibitors such as Rocket Espresso, Unox, Brewed by Hand and Dalla Corte – the new equipment sponsor of the Roaster Zone. With coffee excellence being at the very core of Caffè Culture, the show will be hosting the SCA’s Cup Tasting Final as well as the largest number of roasters at any UK trade event, giving an unparalleled opportunity for visitors to find their ideal coffee supplier. The event has also experienced growth in two key areas – speciality tea and green been. This has largely been facilitated by the successful partnership with the European Speciality Tea Association, who will be hosting a full programme of talks and competitions within the show’s Speciality Tea Hub and the Roasters Forum, which this year welcomes equipment sponsor Roest who joins Sucafina Speciality as a partner of the two-day talks programme. After two successful launches last year, United Baristas Founder Tim Ridley will once again be curating the Total Coffee programme – a two-day programme of talks aimed at empowering coffee shop owners and industry leaders, whilst FoodBev will be showcasing their award nominees in a beautifully designed gallery ahead of their ceremony at the show. More features, partners and premium brands will be announced in the coming weeks, adding to the compelling and must-attend nature of the event. Registration is now open, so to secure your complimentary trade pass and to be kept abreast of all show news, register your details at www.caffecultureshow.com

The World Coffee Innovation Awards are back for 2024, and the FoodBev Awards team is thrilled to introduce the first of its esteemed panel of judges! Meet Erwin Wetzel, returning to the judging panel for the second consecutive year. Read on to find out what Erwin will be looking out for this time... The coffee industry is a dynamic landscape, continually bringing in new technologies and practices aimed at perfecting the brew. The World Coffee Innovation Awards 2024 provides a platform to celebrate the people and companies driving this positive change. I am honoured to serve as a judge for these prestigious awards, focusing on innovations. Innovation is the engine of progress, and the coffee sector is brimming with groundbreaking advancements. This year, I am again very excited to see the entries. I am sure that a lot of entries will be linked to AI and machine learning, user experience enhancements or supply chain efficiency. For sure, sustainability will also play a key role with ethical sourcing and carbon footprint reduction just to name some. Recognising and celebrating these exceptional innovations will inspire others to follow suit, driving positive change within the industry. I eagerly await the award entries and the opportunity to discover the remarkable coffee initiatives that will shape the future of the industry. Learn more about FoodBev Awards and the World Coffee Innovation Awards 2024 by visiting the FoodBev Awards website: www.foodbevawards.com

UK vending operator Decorum Vending has upgraded 630 vending machines to Cantaloupe card readers. The majority of machines were primarily located in train stations and other travel sectors. This upgrade includes Cantaloupe's P66 contactless payment device and the P100 digital screen card reader, which accommodates both contactless and contact payments. According to the company, the move makes Cantaloupe the exclusive provider of cashless payment solutions for Decorum Vending, "facilitating seamless integration with Decorum's Vending Management System (VMS) and enhancing overall operational efficiency". Jeff Dumbrell, chief revenue officer of Cantaloupe, said: “Decorum’s confidence in Cantaloupe’s products and services underscores our commitment to expanding and supporting our international clients in the UK, building trust outside of our core North American market. By delivering reliable, seamless integration and exceptional customer service, we’ve been able to show Decorum and other potential UK-based clients that Cantaloupe can strengthen our position as a disruptive force in the market for cashless payment solutions.” Cantaloupe said that one of the stand-out features the company was able to offer was the integration with Televend and Vendo machines, enabling Decorum to manage machine performance, track sales and drive convenience on UK routes. Cantaloupe’s system ensures uninterrupted service, crucial for customer retention. Cantaloupe has also improved settlement times for Decorum Vending, enhancing financial management and operational efficiency. Its advanced cashless devices facilitate single-item refunds within a basket transaction and improve performance tracking, contributing to superior customer service and operational transparency. Declan Sewell, managing director with Decorum Vending, commented: "Partnering with Cantaloupe not only streamlined our operations but also significantly enhanced our bottom line. The seamless integration and reliability of Cantaloupe’s systems made everything just work effortlessly. Another major factor was the supportive relationship we've developed with the Cantaloupe team. It's not just about the financial savings — it's about partnering with a service provider who genuinely enhances our operations and makes doing business a pleasure.” Shaun Burger, managing director of EMEA at Cantaloupe, added: “Our advanced technology significantly boosts profitability and efficiency for our clients. With Cantaloupe's flexible payment and telemetry solutions, Decorum has notably improved its day-to-day operations and customer service. We're proud to support their commitment to superior service and driving key metrics for their business to stay competitive in the UK market.” #DecorumVending #Cantaloupe

Kind Snacks has launched six new savoury and sweet snack bars. The new savoury bars offer a blend of nuts with smoky and spicy notes, resulting in "a bold taste," said the brand. The flavours include Paprika Nuts & Mesquite Smoked Sea Salt, Roasted Nuts & Jalapeno and Rosemary Nuts & Sea Salt. Meanwhile, the Seeds, Fruits & Nuts Bars combine pumpkin and sunflower seeds with fruit flavours, offering a nutrient-dense and crunchy snack. The flavours include Strawberry Sunflower Seed, Orange Cranberry Pumpkin Seed and Dark Chocolate Raspberry Pumpkin Seed. The new bars are individually wrapped, ideal for snacks on the go. They are priced between $7.99 and $8.99 on Amazon and at retailers nationwide. #Kind #US

McVitie’s has launched a new cocoa-flavoured version of its popular Rich Tea biscuits. Known as The Cocoa One, the variant offers a crisp, cocoa-flavoured biscuit that falls under the government's HFSS guidelines. The new flavour follows the success of McVitie’s "The Light Ones" range, which includes lower-sugar versions of Digestives and Rich Tea biscuits. According to the company, these lighter options have collectively generated nearly £10 million in sales, indicating a strong consumer preference for healthier snacking alternatives. Available at Tesco, The Cocoa One is priced at £1.79 for a 300g pack. #McVities #RichTea #UK

Thai beer brand Chang has introduced its coffee-infused beer to the UK market. Chang's 'Espresso Lager' – which has a 4.8% ABV – combines premium lager with rich coffee flavours, featuring intense coffee aromas, gentle bitterness and a subtle roasted finish. This beer, which has won 11 international gold medals in four years, was previously only available in Asia. The lager is crafted using high-quality malt, hops and water, and is infused with Arabica and Robusta coffee beans sourced from Thailand, Laos and Vietnam. The result is a smooth, rich beer "with an authentic coffee profile," said Chang. The coffee-infused beer will be available to purchase on Amazon and through the brand's website. #Chang #UK

Danish brewing giant Carlsberg has agreed to acquire UK-based soft drink company Britvic for £3.3 billion, in a deal that will expand Carlsberg's bottling operations across Europe. The acquisition, which has the recommendation of Britvic's board, will allow Carlsberg to gain a stronger foothold in the UK market, where it is currently the fourth-largest brewer. The acquisition comes after Britvic previously rejected a $3.95 billion (approx. £3 billion) takeover bid from Carlsberg in June. The board had turned down a proposal worth £12.50 per share from the beer giant, saying it "significantly undervalued Britvic and its current and future prospects." Britvic is the UK bottler for PepsiCo brands, while Carlsberg already serves as PepsiCo's bottler in several other European markets. "This transaction creates an enhanced proposition across the UK and other markets in western Europe," said Carlsberg CEO Jacob Aarup-Andersen. "We are excited about expanding our global partnership with PepsiCo, and believe the long-term opportunities will be very beneficial for both companies." Under the terms of the deal, Carlsberg will pay £12.90 per Britvic share in cash, plus a special dividend of 25 pence per share. This represents a premium of around 36% to Britvic's closing share price on June 19, the day before speculation of Carlsberg's interest emerged. Carlsberg said it has identified £100 million in cost savings over five years from the acquisition. The deal will also give Carlsberg a larger platform in the UK, where it currently lags behind market leaders such as AB InBev and Heineken. Separately, Carlsberg announced on Monday that it has agreed to take full control of a brewing joint venture it previously held with UK group Marston's. The Britvic acquisition is subject to regulatory approvals and is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2024. Carlsberg was advised by Nomura International, while Britvic was represented by Goldman Sachs. Britvic, whose brands include Robinsons, Fruit Shoot and Tango, traces its history back to the 1930s when a chemist in Chelmsford, Essex, began producing soft drinks. The company is currently PepsiCo's exclusive bottler in the UK. Top image: © Britvic #Carlsberg #Britvic #PepsiCo #Europe