NEWS

Nestlé develops foaming coffee beer system (01/07/06)

Nestlé has filed patents all around the world for a new, foamy coffee drink that is made and looks like beer but contains no alcohol, in a sign it is exploring new product avenues.
Nestlé's technical innovation arm, Nestec, has developed the new system for making fermented coffee and is looking for patent protection in all of the world's major markets. Nestec said the fermented coffee system could be used to produce a soft drink with a strong caffeine kick and an attractive fruity aroma that also “has the appearance of certain types of beers”.
The drink can even have a foamy head after it has been poured into a glass if ‘gassed' or carbonated during production.
“There is a need for new product concepts in the category of soft drink and ready-to-serve coffee-based beverages,” said Nestec.
“There is also a need for a refreshing and stimulating beverage in which harsher flavours and aromas are reduced. This invention aims at providing such a product.”
It added that the group also wanted to provide a fermented beverage that could be a alternative to alcoholic drinks. Decaffeinated versions would also be possible.
It remains to be seen whether the drink would be able to find such a niche in the market. Non-alcoholic drinks have shown growth in a few places, including Russia, the US and UK, with growth focused on the energy/stimulation segment. Anheuser Busch's alcoholic caffeine beer B-to-the-E, which also has a fruity taste, has done well in clubs so far in the US; perhaps opening up space for non-alcoholic coffee beer.
Coffee culture is also rising well, with instant coffee sales now ahead of standard tea in Britain.
A Nestlé spokesperson told BeverageDaily.com that the group "does not have any plans to launch any such product in the near future".
[...]

Coffee 'may save' El Salvador wildlife

Coffee drinkers around the world could be helping to save what is left of the threatened wildlife of El Salvador. [...]