*Crack – Hiss*: La Colombe Debuting Canned Draft Latte Next Month
Dripping, grinding, tamping and frothing — these are all common noises associated with coffee. But on March 1st, Todd Carmichael and La Colombe will be introducing a new, groundbreaking sound to the world of coffee — the crack-hiss of a can.
The Philadelphia-based coffee company is introducing the first ever draft latte — a mix of milk, coffee and compressed gas in its liquid form. The result is a textured caffeinated beverage in a convenient (and innovative) can. The draft latte is made with rBST-free milk, cold pressed espresso and sweetened with “only a pinch” of cane sugar. And despite having real milk in it, the draft latte has a recommended shelf life of 180 days.
Packaging for the new La Colombe draft latte./Max Pulcini
Aside from being really, really good looking, the can features the Innovalve (innovative valve, get it?) on its bottom side, co-developed by La Colombe and Crown packaging. It’s actually quite the science project: Milk and coffee are put in the can before compressed gas (mostly nitrous oxide) is injected through the small opening and added to the mix. When the can is popped, the liquid gas creates bubbles that froth the beverage up, creating the signature texture. The fat content of the milk is regulated in a way to help control the froth, making for an even texture throughout.
Here’s the plans for how the draft latte was conceived. SCIENCE!/Max Pulcini
The can also features a removable plastic lid cap, which Carmichael said was inspired by his wife. Aside from making germaphobes happy (“I don’t know where that can has been!”) by keeping consumers’ mouths from directly touching the can, it creates a smaller opening for the coffee to pour out, further enhancing the texture and taste of the drink.
Todd Carmichael, founder of La Colombe./Max Pulcini
La Colombe will begin rolling out canned draft lattes on March 1, 2016. It will hit Philadelphia, online retail and select retailers at first before being rolled out at other La Colombe locations around the country. Carmichael said cans will be sold in the range of $2.50 each or in four-packs for under $10.
This isn’t the first time La Colombe has ventured away from coffee being served in non-traditional ways. The company launched its Pure Black brew in 12oz. bottles in March, 2012
La Colombe draft latte in a glass./Max Pulcini
