Chew your coffee: Coffee adds flavour to snack bars

Coffee and tea are minor but increasingly popular ingredients in global snack bar innovation. Their rise is driven by both the variety of popular flavours they can provide, as well as the energy connotation. Germany is leading in Europe for coffee and tea-flavoured snack bars innovation, accounting for nearly a quarter (24%) of global launches. Overall, coffee-flavoured snack bar launches are most prevalent in North America and Europe, where coffee as a beverage has a well-established following.

Coffee bars deliver an energy hit

Coffee flavours including cappuccino, mocha, caffè latte or macchiato are frequently combined with chocolate flavours, with products — alongside providing functional qualities such as high-fibre or high-protein — designed to evoke a sense of warmth and indulgence. Brands also draw on coffee due to its association with energy, which is seen as a major driver in snack bar consumption. Beyond providing coffee flavour, a number of snack bars actually contain caffeine to deliver an energy hit.

Innovation in Germany

 Liebhart’s Vitana Organic Cappuccino Flavoured Fruit Bar
This honey and almond bar is formulated with whole milk, chocolate and coffee.

Kick Strength Snack Bar
This product contains 3% coffee as well as 4% guarana, taking an energy positioning to a new level.

Tsampa Espresso Energy Bar
The vegan product is handmade in Berlin out of roasted barley, and is free from lactose, industrial sugar, additives, soy, and low in fructose.