La Colombe has recently revamped its ready-to-drink lattes to focus more on espresso and reduce sugar levels, aligning the canned coffees more closely with the cafe experience.
The updated formula, introduced in late March, aims to cater to the “everyday consumer” by dialing back on sweetness, as explained by Talia Monroe, Chobani’s senior vice president of commercial growth, at the Natural Products Expo West in Anaheim, California.
For example, the new formulation of La Colombe’s vanilla latte now contains 15 grams of sugar, a significant reduction from the average 33 grams found in other ready-to-drink dairy-based flavored coffee beverages.
“We understand that not everyone enjoys an overly sweet coffee, so we’re focusing on appealing to the everyday customer rather than the super-indulgent,” Monroe stated.
With the ready-to-drink latte market expanding, La Colombe is optimistic that its reduced sweetness will help it differentiate from competitors.
The revised recipe is also designed to replicate the coffeehouse experience more accurately. The drinks now feature espresso as the base and are made with lactose-free whole milk, mirroring the ingredients commonly used in La Colombe’s cafes.
The shift to lactose-free dairy enabled La Colombe to rely more on the natural sugars present in milk, leading to a significant reduction in added sugar. This change also makes the beverage more appealing to consumers with dairy sensitivities.
The company has been refining its RTD latte formula for a number of years, with Monroe emphasizing that the work on coffee is an ongoing process. The brand plans to continue refining its offerings.
Chobani acquired La Colombe for $900 million in 2023, which included the brand’s ready-to-drink coffees and cafes. The company has since invested heavily in expanding the brand, recently announcing a $567 million investment to expand a La Colombe facility in Michigan to meet increasing demand.
As consumers seek to recreate the cafe experience at home due to economic uncertainties, Chobani’s creamers and La Colombe canned coffees have gained popularity for their focus on customization and convenience. Chobani offers a range of branded coffee creamers that pair well with La Colombe’s cold brew.
Monroe mentioned that La Colombe’s RTD business has been doubling year over year, prompting Chobani to expand the brand’s other coffee offerings, such as multiserve cold brew and coffee grounds.
The brand’s cafes serve as a hub for innovation, where La Colombe engages with consumers to gather feedback and test new flavors.
“We want to ensure that we have a diverse portfolio that resonates with everyone,” Monroe added.