By Barbara Harfmann | Managing Editor
Since the pandemic, I’m now a full-time remote managing editor/writer and will remain so. Working remotely has garnered significant benefits in terms of money saved on transportation costs (gas, tolls, car insurance), as well as time saved. I’m also spending considerably less by not eating lunch out, not to mention stops at Dunkin’ for my daily coffee or tea fix.
As with everything, the cost of coffee and tea differs around the globe and your total savings largely will depend on how many drinks you regularly consume. Based on an average cost of $3.89 a drink, or about $20-$25 a week, I’m saving about $1,000-$1,300 a year on my morning caffeine fix alone.
Thanks to one of my favorite Christmas gifts, a Ninja coffee maker, there’s added versatility because it offers separate coffee and tea filters. This enables me to brew my favorite beverages at home with a touch of the button in five ways: classic, rich, over ice, cold brew and specialty.
Although the debate rages about which beverage is best — tea or coffee — both markets are thriving.
The tea market is growing because there’s so many different varietals to sip and savor — green, black, oolong, fruit/herbal and more. A “Tea Market by Type” report from Allied Market Research reports that the global tea industry generated $55.14 billion in 2019, and is expected to reach $68.95 billion by 2027, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.6% from 2020 to 2027.
Saving money working remotely
Drinks
Between
(Image courtesy of Del Monte Foods)
The ready-to-drink (RTD) coffee market also is piping hot. Driven by demand for functional coffee, the market is forecasted to top $18 billion by 2026, a 14.2% CAGR from 2020, according to Mintel.
But foodservice sales of coffee and tea also are propping up the categories. Starbucks drive-thru’s and foodservice coffee sales are bustling. For the fourth quarter, the Seattle-based company’s consolidated net revenues are up 31% to a record $8.1 billion, it said in an Oct. 28, 2021, statement. The Starbucks Rewards loyalty program also is going gangbusters, with 24.8 million consumers (a 28% increase) enrolled in the program on the Starbucks app.
Ahead of the Year of the Tiger and the Chinese New Year on Feb. 1, my family and I ventured to Chinatown for some small bites of dim sum along with some iced passion fruit Bubble Tea. Made with tea and sweetened with milk, the drink also contains balls or “pearls” of chewy tapioca.
Luckily, a trip to Chinatown is no longer required to enjoy Bubble Tea since Joyba In Bubble Tea, a brand of Del Monte Foods, released its beverages to such retailers as Costco, Albertsons, Circle K, Safeway and Target.
Joyba Bubble Tea contains popping boba and is available in four flavors: Strawberry Lemonade Green Tea, Raspberry Dragon Fruit Black Tea, Mango Passionfruit Green Tea and Cherry Hibiscus Tea.
“We created Joyba Bubble Tea to offer a new, unique and fun experience that also tastes delicious,” said Mario DiFalco, vice president of marketing, for the Snacks Business Unit, at Del Monte Foods, in a statement. “Joyba Bubble Tea can be enjoyed between classes, after work or school, or as an experiential pick-me-up treat. We’ve created a burst of refreshingly fruity, popping boba which creates unexpected textures — we hope it brings joy to those who drink it.” BI
Built to
perform
Ice Shaker and Oxygen Esports announced that the family-operated business of the five Gronkowski brothers, Ice Shaker, is the official Performance Bottle and Shaker Partner of Oxygen Esports, the Boston Uprising and the newly announced Boston Call of Duty League franchise. Chris Gronkowski, Ice Shaker founder and CEO, notes that all five brothers, all pro athletes from the NFL and MLB, needed a bottle that performed well, kept products cold and looked good in-game, during practice and off the stage, it said. Forged from kitchen grade stainless steel that will not absorb odor, the bottle features a patented twist-in agitator that breaks up powders but is silent when the bottle is shaken. Ice Shaker also was featured on TV’s “Shark Tank,” with all five sharks interested in the game-changing product. Ultimately, Mark Cuban and Alex Rodriguez invested in the startup company. In a statement, Chris Gronkowski said: “Gamers need a bottle that will keep their drinks cold all day, won't spill, won't sweat and can mix their favorite energy drinks. Ice Shaker is the perfect gaming bottle, and we are excited to see OXG stay hydrated with a bottle that was built for the best.”
On a mission to bring back regular hangout habits and prioritize time with friends, Blackheart Spiced Rum enlisted Jenny McCarthy as Friendship Coach extraordinaire in an outrageous parody campaign to help people “Make Time for Friends.” The actress, comedian, host and best-selling author will train people who are struggling to pick cheers over chores and show them how to break out of the “adulting” routine, in order to reconnect and recharge with Blackheart Premium Spiced Rum. In early spring, the national media program will debut new social and digital ads featuring Coach Jenny running a series of drills on how to get back in a friendship routine together with Blackheart Rum. Using her honesty, humor and humility, Coach Jenny gets real with her trainees in the 10- and 30-second spots featuring tips ranging from the perfect garnish to prioritizing happy hour over laundry. Additionally, Blackheart Premium Spiced Rum will launch a sweepstakes to coincide with the new campaign, with details releasing later this year. Weekly prizes also will be given away on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter throughout the campaign.
After a year off to support COVID-19 vaccine education and awareness, Budweiser officially came back to Super Bowl LVI with a heart-warming spot featuring its fan favorite Clydesdales and dogs. Directed by Academy Award-winner Chloe Zhao, “A Clydesdale’s Journey” follows a Clydesdale fighting through setbacks and overcoming challenges, mirroring the character of the country, it says. “As America’s beer, we wanted to come back to the Super Bowl with a message of strength and resilience,” said Daniel Blake, group vice president of marketing for Budweiser and Value at Anheuser-Busch, in a statement. “Budweiser has a history of supporting the country through difficult times and reminding communities across America that better days are ahead. With this Super Bowl spot, our goal was to highlight the perseverance and determination of the country and depict that by coming together, we can grow and move forward stronger than before.”
The King of Beer is back!
Barcardi Ltd., Hamilton, Bermuda, released its 2022 Trends Report, which looks at the interesting factors defining what, where, why and how people will be drinking cocktails in 2022. Pulling data from top industry leaders, global data and global network of brand ambassadors, Bacardi’s report features the top trends that will impact the spirits business this year, including the increasing demand for premium prepared cocktails, natural ingredients, low-ABV options, sustainability, and more.
Some takeaways from the 2022 Trends Report include:
Sober curious is on the rise.
People are exploring new flexible approaches to sobriety while favoring unique cocktails and spirits when they decide to drink. There’s a rise in sober-curious consumers, happy to switch between sober nights and drinking occasions, with 58% globally drinking more non-alcoholic and low-ABV cocktails (NoLo) than a year ago. Additionally, there’s been a shift toward natural selections, with one-third of people in the United States and half in the U.K. seeing natural ingredients as a factor in their cocktail choices, a trend that’s beginning to sway the way consumers imbibe in emerging markets.
Make way for the Mojito.
Although 2021 was all about the espresso martini, research from the trends report points to the mojito as being the cocktail most requested in bars this year. Rounding out the Top 5 drinks for 2022 are the Margarita, gin and tonic, piña colada and vodka soda.
Luxury libations.
With 50% of bartenders globally reporting that their customers are drinking more premium drinks, this represents an evolution in bar-goers’ behavior since the start of the pandemic. Bartenders and consumers alike are exhibiting excitement for tequila, bourbon and cognac, where category premiumization, exclusivity and the hand-crafted nature of the spirit are driving intrigue and desire. Demand for tequila is driven by the shift in how it’s perceived — from a party spirit to sophisticated sipping serve. The spirit’s mixability has made it a base for popular cocktails, such as the Margarita, old fashioned, Negroni and paloma.
Digital drinking.
Cocktail enthusiasts continue to harness technology to master domestic mixology from the comfort of their homes while having spirits delivered directly to their doors. Much of the current growth in eCommerce is being driven by the United States, with more than 65% of consumers in the country using an online service to purchase alcohol.
Seeking sustainability.
The coming year will see consumers demand innovative, ethical, long-term solutions that deliver real social change. Sustainability remains a primary concern of consumers across the globe. But while recyclability and zero-waste cocktails formed the thrust of sustainable action this year, 2022 will see more initiatives shaped by a focus on how spirits are made, with more people willing to pay more for ethically sourced regenerative refreshments.
