Joe Coffee and BKON collaborate on Coldstretto offering
Image: BKON
As unveiled at the SCA Expo, Joe Coffee is leaning into the new coffee category that is Coldstretto, launching it in select New York locations this summer with plans for full rollout this Fall. Coldstretto is Joe Coffee’s vehicle to efficiently deliver the highest-quality cold espresso experience in and outside their retail locations, enabling significant growth opportunities for the brand.
Made possible by BKON’s RAIN (Reverse Atmospheric Infusion) technology, Coldstretto is shelf-stable, ready-to-use cold espresso that captures the flavour of a brand’s espresso offering. It eliminates the time, cost, training, and spatial constraints associated with cold espresso drink creation. Brands can now deliver consistent consumer experiences, whether at coffeehouses, restaurants, offices, or in the home.
BKON and Joe Coffee have a storied history together, with BKON serving as Joe’s cold brew concentrate and RTD extraction partner since 2021. “We experienced a surge in cold brew sales after replacing immersion brewing with our RAIN-brewed cold brew concentrate,” said Lee Harrison, vice president of operations for Joe Coffee. “The quality, stability, consistency, and efficiency of our product improved overnight, and our customers noticed. BKON’s commitment to flavour integrity and collaboration left us eager to experience and collaborate on their newest innovation, Coldstretto.”
Cold brew’s rise in popularity has given way to cold espresso-based beverages becoming the dominant consumption preference, popularised by the influential Millennial and Gen Z consumer. Increased recipe innovation and the allure of cold espresso beverage customisation have further complicated operations. Joe Coffee identified Coldstretto as the breakthrough that maintained their high-quality standards and simplified the entire process of making cold espresso drinks. Its unique sensory experience is an exciting combination of cold brew’s smooth mouthfeel with the bright notes and lingering finish of great espresso.
“Our first taste experience was delicious—the Coldstretto version had all the nuance of flavor and acidity that we love about our beloved house espresso,” said Amaris Gutierrez-Ray, senior director of coffee & roasting.
The impact on Joe Coffee’s wholesale business is where the opportunity magnifies. Foodservice venues that were previously excluded from selling cold espresso due to equipment costs, space constraints, or labour challenges, can now easily innovate the highest quality cold coffee menu.
“We’re committed to equipping our wholesale partners with the knowledge and tools to take their business to the next level,” said Jonathan Rubinstein, founder and CEO of Joe Coffee. “Coldstretto is an exciting opportunity for us to deliver on our brand promise of excellent quality to locations beyond Joe Coffee retail stores, enabling our customers to skillfully compete in the cold coffee category.”
Specialty Coffee Expo attendees were among the first to experience Coldstretto.
“We had an early vision, as far back as 2017 that Coldstretto would enable growth opportunities that were previously unachievable,” said BKON president Lou Vastardis. “We’ve always admired Joe Coffee’s leadership in specialty coffee and couldn’t be more excited to work alongside them to be the first roaster to bring Coldstretto to commercialisation.”
For more on Joe Coffee, visit joecoffeecompany.com. For more on BKON, visit www.bkonbrew.com.
