Monday Morning Coffee News

Happy Monday! Some coffee related news to start your week off right: Coca-Cola throws their hat into the coffee ring with coffee chain purchase, the FDA argues against cancer warnings on coffee in California, Starbucks recently added plant-based protein Protein Blended Cold Brew to their menu and Lavazza opened a unique coffee museum in Italy

Coca-Cola has announced current plans to acquire Costa Coffee, a british coffee chain, through a $5.1 billion dollar bid.  According to Newsweek, the plan seems to be to leave the actual chain stores in the hands of current management and begin the development of read-to-drink canned and bottled coffee beverages with the brand’s logo on them for distribution and marketing through Coca-Cola’s global network.

The FDA recently released a statement arguing against a California ruling made back in March of this year which would require a cancer warning be placed on coffee due to the presence of the chemical acrylamide, a chemical linked to cancer risk, which forms as a product of the roasting process. Arguments that it is unknown if the levels of acrylamide found in coffee are high enough to pose a risk, coupled with lack of study into the effects and that coffee itself has been linked in many studies to have the opposite effect on cancer, have resulted in the FDA to stepping in and arguing against such a label.

Starbucks recently added Protein Blended Cold Brew to their cold beverage line-up. Made with plant-based protein, the drink comes in two varieties: Almond (12 g of protein), made with almond milk, plant-based protein, almond butter, Banana Date Fruit Blend and ice, and Cacao (10 g of protein), made with coconut milk, plant-based protein, cacao powder, Banana Date Fruit Blend and ice. – As a Starbucks-addicted vegan, I am very pleased with this new addition, just fyi.

Lavazza, the esteemed Italian coffee corporation, opened up a unique, interactive coffee museum in Italy. According to the website, the museum has 52 installations and each of them is activated by a special espresso cup every visitor receives upon entrance. See the video below for a glimpse of this little piece of coffee-lover heaven: