Latest news with #NitroColdBrew
Miami Herald
24-05-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Starbucks' cold brew turns 10: How'd it become so popular?
Coffee lovers know that their morning Joe isn't just a drink. It's a necessity, and each day an estimated 2.25 billion cups of this rich, bitter beverage are enjoyed worldwide. But in case you haven't noticed (we know it's still early), there's been a huge shift in the way people drink their coffee - as cold brew - and credit goes to Starbucks for helping to fuel the trend. Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter Cold brew dates back to the 1600s, when Dutch traders introduced coffee to Japan. Residents of Kyoto extracted the coffee using cold water, and the rest is history. (This is why cold brew is also known as Kyoto-style coffee.) Once a novelty, available only in specialty shops like Blue Bottle and Stumptown, Starbucks first tested small batches of cold brew in a few stores in the Boston area in March 2015 - but there was one catch. Baristas only brewed one batch per day, or the equivalent of 40 grande cups, and so once it was gone, you had to wait until the store reopened to get your next fix. Thankfully, due to customers' seemingly unquenchable thirst for the chilled, caffeinated drink, a few months later, in July 2015, the coffee giant rolled cold brew out to the broader public, adding it as a core menu item to its 26,000 stores across the U.S. and Canada, and (thankfully) offering all-day availability. Related: Starbucks pumpkin spice lattes: Everything you need to know about the iconic fall beverage Starbucks' Vanilla Sweet Cream Cold Brew made its debut in May 2016. At the same time, its Nitro Cold Brew, which infuses nitrogen gas into cold brew for a creamy texture and foamy head, also began being tested in a few stores, only to become a permanent fixture by 2019. It's safe to say that the coffee world hasn't been the same since - CNBC reported that Americans spent $88 billion on out-of-home coffee purchases in 2023 and spending on cold coffees, like cold brew, has doubled since 2016. Naturally, the place for coffee trends to get off the ground is at big coffee chains, like Starbucks, which is considered the leader of the coffee industry, with twice as many locations as its closest competitor, Dunkin'. The Seattle-based roaster reported that in 2024, three-fourths, or 75%, of its beverage sales were cold drinks, up from just 37% in 2013. So, in light of the 10th anniversary of Starbucks' cold brew, we take a look at its incredible ascent - as well as just who's driving the shift. Temperature isn't the only difference between hot coffee and cold brew. Drip coffeemakers make coffee by using hot water to quickly steep ground coffee beans, resulting in an aromatic, yet slightly acidic cup of Java. Cold brew, on the other hand, steeps coarse, ground coffee in cold water for a much longer timeframe, between 12 and 24 hours. This results in a smoother, less bitter-and, some even say, a naturally sweeter flavor. Another added boost: Because of its longer extraction time, cold brew comes with higher levels of caffeine, roughly 25% more than regular coffee. According to the Center for Science in the Public Interest, Starbucks' 16 oz. cold brew has 205 mg of caffeine while its 16 oz. iced coffee has just 165 mg. Just don't confuse Starbucks cold brew with its iced coffee. Starbucks' cold brew is cold-steeped in filtered water, which produces a strong, full-bodied flavor with each sip. Starbucks' iced coffee, on the other hand, is more medium-bodied in flavor, though it actually boasts a double-strength serving of ground coffee, since it later gets diluted with ice. Starbucks typically uses four tablespoons of ground coffee for every six ounces of iced coffee (it uses just two tablespoons for hot coffee). The drinks' flavor profile differ, too. According to Starbucks, its cold brew contains a "natural sweetness with a hint of chocolatey flavor," while its iced coffee has more "caramel and cola notes." Sipping on a steaming cup of morning coffee seems to be going the way of the dinosaur, lately. These days, younger coffee drinkers - particularly members of Generation Z, ages 18-24 - have freed themselves from the perpetual drip-drip of a coffee machine, preferring cold ready-to-drink coffees and iced caffeine drinks, like cold brew, instead. According to the National Coffee Association, 45% of coffee drinkers ages 18 to 24 said they had a cold coffee in the past day, and that Millennials are also increasingly enjoying their coffees cold. More on Starbucks: Starbucks fall menu: When it drops and what to orderStarbucks' holiday menu: When it launches & what to orderStarbucks winter menu: What's brewing in the colder months? According to Starbucks' founder, Howard Schultz, the reason has a lot to do with social media. Since cold drinks typically come in clear, plastic cups, younger coffee drinkers opt to order their beverages cold, customizing them with colorful syrups, cold foam, and sweeteners - which can be an easier way to introduce to the bitter taste to new palettes. They then share their creations on social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok. Members of Generation Z are also characterized by their health-conscious lifestyles, and they say they are drawn to cold brew because it has fewer calories and ingredients. A grande Starbucks cold brew, served black, has just 5 calories and 0 carbohydrates. (Adding milks and sweeteners changes things, of course.) The Seattle-based chain does not offer decaffeinated cold brew, but customers who want the taste of coffee without the caffeine can substitute Starbucks' decaf iced Americano. And, in case you're curious, cold brew can also be served warm: For a smooth and less bitter coffee experience, you can pop it into the microwave or heat in a saucepan on the stove. Just don't leave it sitting out. The product is non-pasteurized, so if kept unrefrigerated, it can spoil. Related: Legendary fund manager makes bold stock market prediction The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
NDTV
22-05-2025
- Business
- NDTV
What Happens When A Coffee Lover Builds A Business? Abhinav Mathur's Something's Brewing, That's What
While most of us were obsessing over banana bread and dalgona coffee during the lockdown, Abhinav Mathur was quietly building a brewing revolution from scratch. As the Managing Director of Kaapi Machines and Something's Brewing, Abhinav Mathur has had a front-row seat to India's fast-growing love for coffee beyond cafes. From curating over 500 brewing tools to building a vibrant online community of curious home brewers, he talks about how India went from cafe-hopping to filter-swapping. 1. You have seen India's coffee scene from both ends - big cafe chains and home kitchens. What was the moment you thought, "Okay, people are seriously getting into brewing at home"? COVID was the real game changer. Our business had come to a standstill, as you can imagine - no going out, cafes shutting down, and no sale of equipment. But as we all stayed at home, we had time to reconnect with our passion, brewing coffee and talking about it with others. During the lockdown, we started experimenting with new coffee gear, exchanging brewing techniques, and noticed a global trend, including in India, of people wanting to understand home coffee brewing better. 2. You launched Something's Brewing during the lockdown. Brave move or happy accident? Or both? Honestly, both. It was a leap of faith driven by instinct. The lockdown gave people time to reflect on the little rituals they missed, like their cafe coffee. I always believed that for home brewing in India to grow, access to both knowledge and equipment was critical. Many community members were asking us for coffee gear recommendations and ways to get hold of international products. With a couple of colleagues, I began building a basic platform that could provide early adopters with reliable home coffee gear, which was the only ambition in the beginning. We are all amazed by how much the community has grown! 3. Cafes have had their moment in India, but now people want cafe-style coffee without leaving their homes. What do you think pushed that shift? Convenience, obviously, but also a desire for control and experimentation. At home, you can brew coffee your own way. People began appreciating not just the taste, but the process, the sound of grinding, the pour, the aroma. The entire experience became calming. And once you achieve a great cup at home, it becomes difficult to justify standing in a queue for one. 4. You brought in gadgets like the Ripple Maker and Nitro Cold Brew systems. What is the next big thing in how we brew or drink coffee here? Automation with soul. We are seeing smart coffee machines that let you control every parameter through an app while still producing a handmade-style result. Also rising are cold brew on tap, ready-to-drink speciality coffee cans, and sustainable coffee capsules. It is not just about flashy tech anymore, it is about being smart, sustainable, and reliable. Home roasters and small batch roasters are gaining ground. Tools like XBloom are also simplifying manual brewing, offering consistency without losing the human touch. 5. With 500+ brewing tools and 40+ roasters on board, how do you decide what makes it to the Something's Brewing shelf? What is the rulebook like? Our rulebook? If it does not excite us, it will not excite our community. Every product undergoes testing, does it offer good quality, is it beginner-friendly, and does it make brewing more enjoyable? We are also particular about long-term use and servicing. If we cannot support it or explain how to use it, we do not stock it. 6. Do you think Indian consumers are ready to move beyond the French press and Moka pot? What is one brewing tool people seriously need to try but usually ignore? Absolutely. Indian consumers today are well-informed and open to trying new coffee brewing techniques. One underrated tool is the pour-over dripper, like the Hario V60. It is elegant and gives you incredible flavour clarity. It teaches patience and precision, and in return, offers a cup that is clean and layered. Many assume it is too technical, but once you try it, it changes everything. It is the ideal way to dive deeper into coffee flavour profiles. Another favourite is the Budan One Touch - perhaps the easiest way to get cafe-style coffee at home. No fuss over recipes, grinding, or proportions. Just a scoop of coffee, press a button, and you have a proper Espresso, Cappuccino, Latte or Americano at home. 7. You work with brands like Starbucks and McCafe. Do you think mainstream coffee brands are ready to geek out on speciality brews and gear like home brewers do? They have already begun. Many brands are investing in better machines, barista training, and speciality coffee menus. The home brewing movement in India has raised consumer expectations, and bigger brands are starting to listen. Starbucks has launched Reserve Stores in India, which offer manual brews and single estate coffees. While over 97% of cafe beverages are still milk-based, speciality cafes are actively pushing consumers to try black brews and origin-based options. Mainstream brands should catch up. 8. Something's Brewing is as much a content platform as it is a marketplace. Was the content push (YouTube, reels, newsletters) intentional from day one, or did the community demand it? A bit of both. We always knew coffee education would be essential. But the way the community responded was what shaped the strategy. We began with blogs and tutorials, and very soon people were asking for brew-along videos, bean reviews, and more. Content helped us stay relatable in a digital space. During the lockdown, we even hosted India's first "Latte Art Contest for Home Brewers" - people submitted videos from their kitchens, and the community voted online. It was a great reminder of how digital tools can still create meaningful coffee connections. 9. You have grown a massive home brewing community. Any fun or unexpected stories from folks who started with a French press and now talk like pro baristas? What is the most surprising or heart-warming thing you have seen from this community so far? Mehul, a friend I met on Twitter (X), stands out. He and a few friends were eager to learn more about coffee but had nowhere to try out gear. I invited them to our office/demo centre in Mumbai, and that was the start of their journey. He bought a Rancilio Silvia machine from us during COVID and began learning latte art by himself-he posted videos regularly. His progress is incredible - he could rival many professional baristas now. He also leads our community events and is a sought-after reviewer for Indian coffee roasters. With passion and consistency, he went from beginner to coffee expert. It is inspiring to see how this culture can shape people. 10. What does a day in your life look like when you are not leading two coffee empires? Is there ever such a day? Entrepreneurs must build a personal space outside their business. It provides perspective and a break from constant industry talk. On weekends, I spend time with family, catch up on reading, and try out new restaurants. My wife and I both enjoy travel and food. Though, even when I am dining out, I often chat with staff and observe their coffee brewing routine, an occupational hazard! 11. Your go-to coffee order? No judging. Unfortunately, I have turned into a bit of a coffee snob. It is only black coffee for me, usually a V60 pour-over. I do give baristas a few instructions, and they mostly take it well and appreciate a customer who knows what they like. However, my morning beverage is still chai. Please do not judge, I am from Lucknow, after all. 12. Most overhyped brewing method? Siphon. Looks stunning on Instagram, but it is not practical or reliable for everyday use. More performance than function. 13. One international coffee trend you want to see in India ASAP? Coffee tasting flights, just like wine or whisky tastings. They help you understand the origin, notes, and flavour profile of each brew. Plus, they make the entire coffee-tasting experience more interactive. 14. What is one piece of coffee gear every newbie should own - but rarely buys? A digital scale. It may not look exciting, but it is essential for brew consistency. Guessing quantities is like guessing a cake recipe; precision transforms your coffee. 15. Dream coffee table guests: pick any three people, real or fictional. Who is joining you for a cup? James Hoffman - he is the God of Coffee. Most home brewers rely on his reviews - they are honest and thorough. Matt, founder of Blue Tokai. I always enjoy our chats about the industry, business challenges, and innovation. Baba Budan, the Sufi saint who, as legend has it, smuggled coffee beans in his beard and started India's coffee culture. He must have been an extraordinary person.
Boston Globe
28-02-2025
- Business
- Boston Globe
At R.I.'s The Nitro Bar, this cold brew is hot
From carefully curated cold brews to seasonal specials like cherry vanilla syrup, The Nitro Bar is known for quality and creativity. Finocchiaro has built the business to be more than just java — it's a community fueled by fun flavors and innovative storytelling. Get Rhode Map A weekday briefing from veteran Rhode Island reporters, focused on the things that matter most in the Ocean State. Enter Email Sign Up Q: What led you to launch The Nitro Bar? Advertisement Finocchiaro: After I finished college in New York City, Sam and I came home [to Rhode Island]. We were both working in restaurants, and we wanted to see if we could start something on our own. So we built a really [crappy] cart and started there. Tell me about your early days. I maxed out my $1,500 credit card, that's how we built the [crappy] cart. We had been popping up all over Providence, and right before Brown University came back into session, we were going to give up. We were making maybe $20 a day. Sam brought the cart to Brown, and it was the first time he called me freaking out and was like, 'We've sold out!' We found investors the next year at a farmer's market. It was really insane to go from having no money in your bank account to all of this money in 24 hours. That kicked off our business and allowed us to grow faster. We built out our first store in Providence, the next year did a second store in Newport, and the year after that, did this store [on Thames Street]. What differentiated you in such a competitive market? Advertisement Number one, we focused on our products, like our Nitro Cold Brew, and making really fun drinks. That was something that wasn't being done as much as it is now, so that made us stand out. Kindness and community have always been really important to Sam and me, so we became friends with so many customers and created this really big Nitro community, which was our goal at the beginning, creating a welcoming but fun environment. How do you maintain that personal connection with your customers as you continue to grow your 535,000 fan base on social media? I feel like maybe from the outside it looks like we're so big, but internally, it doesn't feel like that at all. It still feels like we have such a tight community, with all of our regulars. I like being really authentic online and creating a tighter relationship with the people following us from around the world. Was there a point when you realized that social media could take your business to the next level? When we opened the cart, we posted a ton to Instagram. That was the main platform we used, and that's when we started to notice how impactful social media could be. We'd post where we'd be that day, we'd show up, and there would already be people there. [Sam and I] also loved watching YouTube and other influencers and saw how impactful it is to watch someone's journey. [That] has always been something that we enjoy sharing — the journey of what we're doing here. How do you keep your content fresh and stay on top of trends? I work in a team of three. [We] spend hours every week talking about social media trends: what we're seeing, what we think is funny, how we feel about things and how we can apply it to Nitro. We have one really long brainstorm meeting, where we'll come up with the ideas for the week, and then we'll spread those ideas out over each day. And then, you know how TikTok works, there's trends that come up really quickly, so we'll leave space for those. Advertisement thinking of trademarking this <<<3 gollum over n out 🫡 Do you have a favorite TikTok you've filmed? Bringing my dad in to rate Nitro goodies has been hilarious. He just got his first PR package from Dunkin', which he's so pumped about. We're filming an unboxing with him. Do you have any advice for other young entrepreneurs? Working with a local bank. We started out working with a national chain, and that screwed us so many times. Working with Centreville Bank has allowed us to have personal relationships with lenders. Get to know your banker and work with someone small who can help you get a loan or expand or figure out which credit card to get. Second, finding a good therapist. Love that one. Try to create boundaries around when you're talking or thinking about your business. What's happening next with The Nitro Bar? Anything you can share? We're about to launch our biggest collection, which has been really exciting. We have created a brand around Advertisement Molly Harris is a student at Johnson & Wales.
Yahoo
10-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Starbucks offers free coffee to reward members Monday
PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) – Starbucks is offering a free pick-me-up on Monday for customers who belong to the brand's rewards program. Customers can redeem a free tall (12-ounce) hot or iced brewed coffee by using a coupon in their Starbucks app, according to Starbucks. The deal is valid all day Monday. McDonald's shamrock shakes sold in western Massachusetts to benefit local charity Only Starbucks Rewards members are eligible for the deal — but anyone interested in becoming a member can sign up for free, anytime. The company suggests signing up by Feb. 9 to receive the in-app coupon, though customers who sign up on Monday can still redeem the deal in-store by speaking with a barista. Excluded from the deal are Nitro Cold Brew, Cold Brew and Starbucks Reserve coffees. Any add-ons or customizations 'may cost extra,' Starbucks writes. WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Starbucks offers free coffee on Monday after Super Bowl 59 – how to get it
The Brief Starbucks is offering free coffee to its rewards members on the Monday after the Super Bowl. Customers can stop by a store to get a free tall (12-ounce) hot or iced brewed coffee at any time on Monday, Feb. 10. The chain said customizations may cost extra. SEATTLE - Super Bowl Sunday can sometimes lead to a long Monday, and Starbucks said it is offering a free coffee for that post-game day fatigue. Fans can get their caffeine fix on Feb. 10 at U.S. locations. Here's what to know: What we know Starbucks Rewards members in the U.S. can stop by a store to get a free tall (12-ounce) hot or iced brewed coffee at any time on Monday, Feb. 10. The chain said Starbucks Reward members will see the "Starbucks Monday" coupon available in the app prior to placing a mobile order. Customers can also let the barista know they'd like to redeem their coupon when ordering in the store or in the drive-thru. What you can do Those who aren't Starbucks Rewards members can sign up by 11:50 p.m. PT on Feb. 9 to get the Starbucks Monday coupon in the app. Starbucks added that those who join on Feb. 10 can see a barista "in the store to enjoy a coffee on us." The Fine Print Starbucks said the offer excludes Nitro Cold Brew, Cold Brew, and Starbucks Reserve coffee. It also does not include delivery services, and customizations "may cost extra." The deal is limited to one free coffee per customer. Big picture view Many restaurant chains are getting into the Super Bowl spirit by offering similar deals and freebies. These include deals at Applebee's, Chipotle, and a contingent offer from Buffalo Wild Wings if the game goes into overtime. Chewy, the online pet retailer, is also giving away thousands of free treats if the Philadelphia Eagles ("the animal team") beat the Kansas City Chiefs. Stream Super Bowl LIX live & free! Coming to you live from Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on Sunday, February 9, 2025. Tune in to pregame shows starting at 1 p.m. ET with the big game on at 6 p.m. ET. Stream Live & Free in 4K on Tubi or watch on FOX. (Must be signed in to watch.) The Source This story was reported using information published by Starbucks about its Feb. 10 promotion of free coffee. It was reported from Cincinnati.
