Califia Farms Introduces Black Label Cold Brew Coffee

Califia Farms has launched Black Label Cold Brew Coffees, a line of ready-to-drink (RTD), all black, cold brew coffees. The coffees are specially-roasted and have complex, yet smooth drinkable flavor profiles; unique amber glass packaging; accessibility, and traceable sourcing that benefits grower, environment and consumer, say company officials. Califia also hired beverage innovator and former head of Verve Coffee Roasters’ RTD, Brian Lovejoy, has joined as general manager of coffee.

“We are extending our leadership in coffee with a new line of cold brew that builds on the momentum of our RTD portfolio, and brings Califia’s unique approach to the pure coffee category,” says Califia Farms CEO and founder Greg Steltenpohl. “Positive disruption at the retail level is integral to every product we produce, as is our commitment to taste and sustainability. We believe that our new, on-the-go, fourth wave coffee products, developed with our new Califia Coffee Czar Brian Lovejoy, exceed expectations at all levels—especially when it comes to taste.”

In June, the company launched its dairy-free Nitro Cold Brew latte. Now, with Califia Black Label, the company is continuing its ‘Better Coffee for All’ mission, by making clear label, pure coffee alternatives to creamed and/or flavored and sugared bottled coffees, easily accessible.  

“We believe ‘clear’ labels are what today’s consumers want. Which, to us, means transparency and quality at every level—from the ingredients list all the way to ethical and sustainable sourcing,” says Steltenpohl. “Our new coffees are at the ‘unsweetened’ sweet spot of the cold brew coffee craze—pure, smooth, unadulterated, and with a complexity that comes from our unique cold brewing process and access to high quality beans through our new direct trade initiative with growers in Latin America and Ethiopia.”

Califia’s proprietary cold brewing immersion process ensures that the coffee beans in its Black Label Cold Brews have greater contact with water, which imparts more flavor and freshness. Califia’s new direct trade initiative nurtures relationships with its farmers to not only encourage sustainable practices and confirm that they reap the benefits of their labor, but also to work hand-in-hand with them to ensure that beans are harvested when they are at the height of their flavor.

Califia Black Label Cold Brew Coffees utilize a light Scandinavian-style roast profile that is clean, and bright, with rich, complex notes and flavors, officials say. The coffees come in three flavors: Black Mocha, a full-bodied brew with balanced acidity and chocolate aromatics; Signature Blend, with subtle aromatics and mild spice notes for depth and complexity (both of which are sourced from Colombia, Guatemala and El Salvador); and Single Origin, sourced from Ethiopia’s Yirgacheffe region, featuring delicate citrus, fruit and floral aromas.

The Black Label Cold Brew Coffees are packaged in 10.5-ounce amber glass bottles with convenient screw caps, rather than the crown caps found on most bottled coffees; and, like all Califia products, are completely vegan, dairy-free, GMO-free, soy-free and carrageenan-free. Currently available in select Whole Foods Markets, and at over 500 Target stores nationwide in October, Califia Black Label Cold Brew Coffees further extend the ‘Cold Brew Revolution,’ which has seen cold brew coffee increasingly adopted by consumers.

“Our mission is to capture exquisite quality and taste in a bottle—and to do it ethically, sustainably, and with an aesthetic that draws consumer eyes (and taste-buds) to the retail shelf,” says Lovejoy. “I’m excited to be part of the Califia team, whose flavor expertise, insight and instincts are truly amazing.  Most of all, I’m dedicated to the company’s mission to bring consumers the best, most carefully and deliciously curated coffee they will ever have.” 

Lovejoy brings 25 years of cutting-edge beverage experience to the Califia team. In addition to his leadership at Verve Coffee Roasters, Brian founded and ran several beverage companies, including Dr. Kefir's Sparkling Probiotic Beverages, KeVita Probiotic drinks, and Drinks that Work. Lovejoy also worked with Steltenpohl for seven years as Odwalla’s vice president of marketing and product leadership.