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 FTF Editorial Team·May 20, 2026·5 min read
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.
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