FoodTrendFinder.com
Share
Beverage Trends

Cascara — Coffee's Forgotten Fruit — Becomes a Beverage Category

Cascara, the dried fruit of the coffee cherry, is launching as a standalone caffeinated beverage at Starbucks, Blue Bottle, and grocery RTD shelves.

By FTW Editorial·May 20, 2026·5 min read
Cascara — Coffee's Forgotten Fruit — Becomes a Beverage Category

Cascara, the dried fruit of the coffee cherry, is launching as a standalone caffeinated beverage at Starbucks, Blue Bottle, and grocery RTD shelves.

What happened

Brands like Caveman, Slingshot, and KonaRed are positioning cascara as a lower-caffeine, antioxidant-rich alternative to coffee and tea.

Why it matters

It is the textbook upcycled ingredient: a byproduct of every coffee bean grown, currently wasted at scale, with a credible flavor story.

Market impact

Coffee roasters get a new revenue line from their own waste stream; specialty beverage brands get a defensible differentiator.

Consumer insight

The 'no jitters, no crash' positioning is resonating with younger drinkers cutting back on coffee without going caffeine-free.

Strategic takeaway

Beverage buyers should evaluate cascara now — supply chains are still forming and early partnerships will define the category.

Get the next signal in your inbox.

Daily food industry intelligence — free.

More signals