In 2006, Coca-Cola released their Coca-Cola Blak, which was a coffee-flavored version of the well-known beverage. Unfortunately, people did not like the product, and after just two years, the company stopped the selling of the said beverage and Blak disappeared from the market.
Nancy Quan, Coca-Cola’s chief technical officer, stated that bad timing caused the failure.
"That was a trend before its time," Quan told CNN Business. "I don't think people were ready to have a coffee portfolio within the Coca-Cola brand."
Now, thanks to evolving trends and palates, the company thinks the public is ready. And Coca-Cola is bringing Blak back — sort of.
Over the past few years, Coke has been releasing a similar product called Coca-Cola Plus Coffee or Coca-Cola With Coffee in international markets. The new product contains more real coffee than Blak did. There's also an additional caffeine jolt: The product is more caffeinated than regular Coke.
Today, it's available in Australia, Italy, Spain, Thailand and Poland, among other countries. Coca-Cola is "pleased with the initial response," according to a spokesperson. It plans to make the drink available in 25 international markets by the end of the year.
The company hasn't committed to bringing the product to the United States. But it's "optimistic about the potential for the beverage" in the country, a spokesperson said.
"I believe that there's going to be a space for a Coca-Cola With Coffee" in the United States, Javier Meza, Coca-Cola's global chief marketing officer of sparkling beverages, told CNN Business. He said the product could reach the United States next year.
What are your thoughts? Would this be a pop or a flop?
(Image Credit: Coca-Cola Company)
Carbonated coffee? Heaven forbid!
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