Award Winning Plant-based Milk Company to Launch in the UK

US-based maker of plant-powered beverages Califia Farms is set to debut in the UK next month.

Presenting products such as cold brew coffee and dairy-free nut milks, the company will launch exclusively at Whole Foods before launching eight products at 400 locations of grocery chain Sainsbury’s (with other markets to follow).

Califia Farms will promote the launch at the London Coffee Festival, which will be held from 6 April to 9 April. It will introduce the ready-to-drink Cold Brew Coffee and Barista Blend Almondmilk which will start selling from April.

They will then release a total of eight plant-based beverages into Sainsbury’s retailers from May.

Califia's line of Latin-inspired beverages (including Mango Chili Lime Agua Fresca, Pineapple Ginger Agua Fresca, Strawberry Basil Agua Fresca, Classic Cinnamon Almondmilk Horchata and Vanilla Coconut Almondmilk Horchata) were also recognized by the American Masters of Taste Awards as "superior" in a triple blind tasting.

All were judged superior by a panel of Masters of Taste selected by Chefs In America in a “triple blind” tasting. The panel agreed: “Califia Farms has succeeded in its mission to deliver quality beverage products using California grown fruits and nuts, but has also succeeded in providing superior taste in the form of ready-to-drink, refrigerated beverages.”

Following its success in the US, Califia Farms' founder Greg Steltenpohl expects a positive response from the UK market. He said: “Our mission is to continuously innovate healthy and great-tasting beverages that make it easy for consumers to go plant-powered and dairy-free."

"Ultimately, our goal is to create beverages that both retailers and consumers are proud to have on their shelves.”

"Our mission is to continuously innovate healthy and great-tasting beverages that make it easy for consumers to go plant-powered and dairy-free."

Soy-free, gluten-free, kosher, and vegan, Califia Farms' Barista Blend Almond Milk is also free from carrageenan, but has 50% more calcium than milk. The beverage can also be consumed alone or in other drinks / recipes, and has only 70 calories per serving.

Plant-based milks are booming in the UK. Currently, Alpro is the top plant-based milk brand in the UK and sales of Alpro Unsweetened Almond Milk increased by a staggering 2,343% from 2015 to 2016.

Not wanting to be left behind Starbucks finally launched Almond milk in the UK this month, and a London coffee shop ditched dairy after learning more about the dairy industry, before announcing they were going fully vegan. In New York a dairy farm ditched dairy completely before launching their own range of plant-based milks.