While Lipton is primarily recognized for its tea, the brand is now venturing into the frozen treats category with its popsicles. Lipton’s Pops of Sunshine — featuring Green Tea Citrus and Peach Iced Tea flavors — are specifically targeted at adults, tapping into feelings of childhood nostalgia. These limited-edition frozen pops will only be available through Lipton’s social media channels, marking the first time the brand has introduced a frozen treat for customers in the U.S. “Lipton Iced Tea is celebrating the arrival of the new season by bringing sunshine to parents who yearn for — and deserve — their own version of a summer break, regardless of its size,” stated Julie Raheja-Perera, general manager of the Pepsi Lipton Partnership. “Summer is peak season for iced tea.” Although children will certainly have the opportunity to enjoy these popsicles, the product is clearly designed with adults in mind. According to a survey conducted by Lipton, over 75% of parents reported that frozen pops remind them of fond summer memories. To promote the Pops of Sunshine, Lipton has collaborated with rapper T-Pain to cover the 1999 summer anthem “Steal My Sunshine,” originally performed by the band Len.
An increasing number of brands, such as Golden Grahams, Cocoa Puffs, Mtn Dew, and Bazooka, have been leveraging nostalgia for good reason. Research published in the Journal of Consumer Research found that nostalgia can lead consumers to pay more, as it elicits immediate feelings of happiness and comfort—something that brands have capitalized on. Additional studies indicate that consumers often have a particular fondness for flavors they cherished before the age of 10.
Lipton is part of a joint venture between Unilever and PepsiCo, where PepsiCo manages Lipton’s ready-to-drink beverages while Unilever oversees the leaf tea segment. Each company holds a 50% stake. For Lipton, these popsicles aim to enhance brand awareness in a competitive tea market. By engaging with the popsicles, consumers may be more inclined to purchase a bag of tea or a ready-made drink.
In another development, Ferrero’s Keebler brand has introduced a new version of its beloved chocolate chip cookies, now featuring fudge in its Chips Deluxe Fudgy cookies. “We’re thrilled to add a twist to our fan-favorite Chips Deluxe cookies, and what better way to do that than by incorporating more fudge – an ingredient we know very well,” said Keebler Vice President of Marketing Alicia Mosley. Keebler, which Ferrero acquired for $1.3 billion in 2019, is among the top 10 cookie brands in the U.S. As Ferrero works to modernize the Keebler brand, the focus has been on upgrading ingredients and highlighting unique product features.
As snacking trends continue to rise, the cookie market has seen significant growth. Cookie sales increased by 7.7% year-over-year last September, reaching annual sales of $8.6 billion, according to data from Circana. Adding more chocolate to a beloved consumer packaged good is a strategic move to fuel further growth. A OnePoll survey from last year revealed that chocolate chip cookies rank as the most favorite cookie flavor in the U.S., with over 60% of respondents asserting that a good chocolate chip cookie is unbeatable.
This summer, Somos aims to encourage home cooks to utilize its new sauces to add a spicy crunch to their meals. The Mexican better-for-you food brand is launching salsa macha in two flavors: Nuts & Seeds and Mango & Pineapple, now available at Whole Foods, with plans for broader distribution in the fall. Salsa macha, a chili oil condiment from Veracruz, Mexico, typically includes a fried blend of chili peppers, nuts, and seeds. Somos was inspired to create these sauces as a counter to the Asian chili crisps that have grown popular in home cooking, which currently represent 60% of the global chili oil market, according to Data Intelo. Founded in 2021 by former Kind executives Daniel Lubetsky, Miguel Leal, and Rodrigo Zuloaga, who are all Mexican-American, Somos aims to reshape American perceptions of Mexican cuisine with meals ready in 90 seconds or less.
Leal, the CEO of Somos, shared that the salsa macha was inspired by a family recipe from Zuloaga, featuring chile de arbol and guajillo chile. “These jars are infused with the vibrancy of Mexico, and we’re eager to see that energy reflected on shelves and drizzled over various dishes, day and night,” Leal remarked. The brand has also introduced other products recently, including Mexican Street Corn White Rice, Chipotle Refried Beans, and Poblano Brown Rice. The rise in popularity of Mexican food, particularly among Gen Z consumers who prefer it over Italian cuisine, has led to an influx of brands capitalizing on diverse ingredients. Last month, hot sauce giant Cholula launched its first products beyond its signature sauce, introducing a range of salsas and seasonings designed to enhance tacos and enchiladas.
In summary, as brands like Lipton and Keebler explore innovative products and nostalgic flavors, they not only cater to consumer preferences but also create new opportunities for growth in the competitive food and beverage market, including the best liquid calcium citrate options for health-conscious consumers.