Supplier spotlight: Barista Espresso
What, in the past year, have been some of the most interesting novelties introduced?
During the past year, we at Barista Espresso focused on diversifying our capsules’ range. The Chocolate Shot was launched: a novelty product that has received the Gulfood Innovation Award, a prestigious accolade that we are proud of. In terms of coffee products, new blends and flavors will be launched during Christmas, so stay tuned.
What sort of experience are you offering your customers at the point of sale?
We will soon open our own Barista Showroom that will include all our products in addition to a Café corner where customers can enjoy a cup of coffee, freshly roasted from our factory.
What are the newest market trends?
According to a Mintel report, cold brew sales have jumped 580 percent from 2011 to 2016. Iced coffee, which uses heat to extract coffee, has been replaced by this new trend that uses the time factor: soaking beans in water for 12 hours or more to turn water into coffee. The year 2018 will hopefully be the one in which we introduceour own Barista Cold Brew.
What are the changes you expect to see in the global coffee industry?
I believe ready to drink (RTD) coffee will start invading the region very soon. Specialty coffee and coffee shops will keep on growing. To summarize, however you brew it or serve it, consumers are demanding, more than ever, a good, tasty cup of coffee.