Traditionally seen as a last-minute addition to waffles, milkshakes, and sundaes, the popular whipped topping from a can is now making its way into the coffee market. Conagra Foods, the owner of the Reddi-wip brand, has launched its Barista line of cream-based products—Nitro Creamer and Sweet Foam—designed to offer consumers a coffeehouse experience at any time of day, without the hassle of coffee shop lines or high prices. The Nitro Creamer is intended to be dispensed throughout beverages, while the Sweet Foam is meant to sit on top. This new Reddi-wip line aligns with several key trends that consumers desire today: it is gluten-free, contains real sugar, and has no artificial sweeteners, flavors, or preservatives. Both varieties are made with only six ingredients and provide 40-45 calories per serving.
“Given the continued strength of coffee sales and the fact that many consumers already use our regular Reddi-wip in their coffee, we recognized an exciting opportunity to introduce a cream-based innovation that could better replicate popular coffee drinks and the coffeehouse experience, all from the comfort of home or work,” stated Ryan Clark, president of Conagra’s refrigerated and frozen division. With the rise in premium coffee consumption in the U.S., Conagra is strategically positioning itself to cater to the value-added options that consumers seek with their favorite brews. The Barista line is packaged in a sleek black, white, and gold spray can, in contrast to the classic bright red Reddi-wip. According to Conagra, the new products offer a unique flavor profile that differs from regular Reddi-wip whipped topping, while both still deliver the creamy sweetness and vanilla notes that consumers love. Notably, unlike regular Reddi-wip, Barista does not contain corn syrup, an ingredient whose health implications have been widely debated.
In addition to providing delightful flavors, the Barista line also contains essential nutrients such as calcium, making it a more health-conscious choice for coffee lovers. The Reddi-wip Barista products are set to ship to retailers this month and will soon be available nationwide, bringing an innovative option to those seeking an elevated coffee experience without compromising on quality or health. — Christopher Doering