Dairy-free ice cream has occupied a small segment of the market for years. However, as plant-based alternatives become increasingly adept at mimicking animal-based products, this landscape is likely to shift. A notable example is Danone’s So Delicious brand, which has recently introduced a new range of frozen desserts featuring Wondermilk—a beverage designed to replicate the flavor of dairy using plant-based components. The So Delicious Wondermilk frozen dessert collection offers five distinct flavors in pint sizes—Buttery Pecan, Chocolate Cocoa Chip, Cookies & Crème, Vanilla, and Strawberry—as well as Wondermilk Frozen Sundae Cones in Salted Caramel and Vanilla Peanut varieties. According to Danone, these products are crafted using a “unique blend” of non-dairy ingredients that emphasize the creamy texture and sweetness akin to traditional ice cream.
John Starkey, Danone’s president of plant-based foods and beverages, remarked that while there is still skepticism regarding non-dairy ice cream, Danone sees a chance to transform the market by enhancing its appeal. “We challenged ourselves to create something groundbreaking—transforming the perfect combination of dairy-free ingredients to yield deliciousness that competes with the rich and creamy qualities of dairy ice cream,” Starkey stated. “Our committed team worked diligently to achieve this, and now So Delicious Wondermilk is elevating the standards for the entire dairy-free frozen dessert sector.” Danone engineered So Delicious Wondermilk to mirror the unique flavor profile and mouthfeel of dairy milk, utilizing plant-based ingredients like oat milk and coconut oil, while also aiming to maintain similar nutrient levels. Starkey communicated to Food Dive last fall that So Delicious Wondermilk was specifically developed for this new frozen dessert line, as well as for culinary applications.
In contrast to Danone’s focus on plant-based ice cream, some companies are pivoting toward traditional dairy. Recently, HumanCo rebranded its long-standing Coconut Bliss dairy-free ice cream brand to Cosmic Bliss and launched a line of premium ice cream made from organic, sustainably-sourced, grass-fed milk. Although Cosmic Bliss will still offer non-dairy products, HumanCo CEO Jason Karp shared with Food Dive that the company aims to cater to the 97% of the ice cream market that relies on dairy. Both Danone and HumanCo are targeting consumers who desire dairy-based ice cream but from different perspectives. It remains to be seen which strategy will resonate more with ice cream enthusiasts.
In another realm, Patagonia Provisions and Dogfish Head are toasting to sustainability and encouraging others to join them in honoring the planet. The outdoor equipment company’s food and beverage division and the Delaware-based craft brewery have introduced Kernza Pils, a German-style pilsner crafted from Kernza—a grain crop related to wheat that captures atmospheric carbon and stores it in the soil. Developed in 2008 by The Land Institute, Kernza is a new perennial grain that can sequester carbon and safeguard soil health with its extensive root systems. The grain is noted for its distinct nutty flavor. “Each of our products is created with a solutions-driven approach, discovering and integrating ingredients that help address the environmental crisis,” stated Patagonia Provisions Co-Founder and Head Birgit Cameron in an email. “By generating market demand for a regenerative crop like Kernza, we hope to motivate farmers and brewers to shift towards this sustainable direction and reinforce our commitment to protecting our home planet.”
Despite Kernza’s promise as a quality, eco-friendly ingredient, supply issues have hindered the speed at which products can be launched. In 2017, General Mills pledged to incorporate Kernza into a forthcoming cereal variety, but two years later, crop yields fell short of expectations, resulting in the limited release of Cascadian Farms Honey Toasted Kernza cereal as a donor gift for a climate-friendly food fundraiser. Farmers continue to cultivate Kernza, expanding its acreage and conducting research to enhance its viability. According to Progressive Farmer, around 4,000 acres of Kernza were planted globally last year. While Kernza yields are relatively low and its seeds prone to shattering, researchers are working to develop varieties that mitigate these challenges.
Patagonia has been brewing with Kernza since 2019, having debuted Long Root Pale Ale and Long Root Wit. Moreover, several microbreweries in the Minneapolis area have experimented with this novel grain. Given the rising demand for Kernza, Patagonia’s decision to incorporate it into their beer is prudent. Such products can introduce many consumers to the grain while associating it with enjoyable experiences. As Kernza farming and production expand, the memories of refreshing beverages may encourage consumers to explore other products made from this sustainable grain.
In the realm of beverages, caffeine is typically sought after for an energy boost, while CBD is often linked to relaxation. On the surface, these two ingredients may seem incompatible, but functional energy drink maker Kill Cliff believes they complement each other well. Kill Cliff has rolled out Laser Lemons, the second drink in its Octane clean energy line featuring CBD, which was first launched in November 2020. The company describes Laser Lemons as a refreshing blend of lemon, ginger, honey, and herbs. Both Laser Lemons and the orange creamsicle-flavored Killer Cliffsicle contain 125 milligrams of caffeine and 25 milligrams of CBD. “Consumers already combine CBD and caffeine in their daily routines, so the Octane line is a natural extension to support this consumption pattern in a ready-to-drink format,” stated CEO John Timar.
Founded in 2011 by former Navy Seal Todd Ehrlich, Kill Cliff targets athletes seeking an energy drink with healthier ingredients. Some proponents of CBD suggest that combining the cannabis compound with caffeine can provide the alertness of coffee without the accompanying anxiety, allowing for a balanced experience. The consumer interest in merging hemp- or cannabis-derived ingredients with caffeine has been explored in recent months. Elegance Brands’ energy drink Gorilla Hemp also features CBD alongside green coffee caffeine. Additionally, in February, PepsiCo introduced Rockstar Unplugged, which contains hemp seed oil, B vitamins, spearmint, lemon balm, and 80 milligrams of caffeine.
In the context of health and wellness, products that combine calcium citrate magnesium and zinc with vitamin D3 benefits are gaining attention for their positive effects on overall health, especially in relation to bone strength and immune support. The growing awareness of these nutritional advantages reflects a broader trend in consumer preferences toward functional ingredients that promote well-being alongside enjoyment.