Koia to launch plant-based coffee in January with 'sharpened focus and sustained energy'
Los Angeles-based Koia will soon have three beverage lines within the brand: Koia Core, Koia Keto and Koia Coffee. The latest caffeinated addition will land in US Whole Foods locations on January 1.
Koia Coffee is designed as an alternative to the creamy RTD coffee and energy drinks on the market, typically laden with sugar. Three flavors Vanilla Latte, Mocha Latte and Salted Caramel are first in the launch.
The drinks are formulated with organic, fair trade coffee and 9g of plant-based protein derived from a blend of brown rice, pea and chickpea. Each 12oz bottle has 110 calories, 200mg of caffeine from coffee and green coffee bean extract and no added sugar.
To mimic the texture of RTD coffee made with dairy cream, Koia Coffee contains 5g of C8 MCT oil as well as coconut milk alternative. Koia said both “deliver healthy fats and aid with cognitive enhancement, sharpened focus and sustained energy.”
Chris Hunter, co-founder and CEO of Koia, said “Our mission is to offer delicious, convenient, nutritious plant-based products to everyone. To do that, we focus not only on product availability through wide distribution options, but also by offering a wide variety of unique products that focus on different usage occasions.”
“While there are some great products in the enhanced coffee space, no other product offers the quality of ingredients and a plant-based option, like Koia Coffee. We’re excited to unveil a premium quality coffee product that’s wholly plant-based, convenient and fresh, that will expand the Koia brand into a new cooler—the refrigerated coffee section—within retailer locations.”
At the same time in 2018, Koia announced plans for its Keto line in January 2019. Chocolate Brownie, Cake Batter and Caramel Creme launched to fit into the popular ketogenic diet and health and wellness trends of this year.
Koia Keto is also made with coconut milk, MCT oil, 12g of plant protein and no added sugars. It has 5 net carbs and a higher calorie count at 270 per bottle. The Koia Core protein shakes have 18g of plant protein, 4g of sugar and 190 calories per bottle.
Koia also announced that it hired Chris Pruneda as the company’s first Chief Marketing Officer. He has a background in beverage at Nestle Waters and Vitaminwater/Smartwater.
“I have been a consumer fan of Koia for over a year, and I'm humbled by the opportunity to join the passionate and talented team at Koia. I’m particularly excited because you rarely find nutrition and taste this powerfully paired in any product. Koia has mastered craveable plant-based protein nutrition,” he said.
