Third wave coffee goes corporate

September 14th, 2017, 2:29 pm

Nestle SA agreed to acquire a majority stake in U.S. cafe operator Blue Bottle Coffee as the Nespresso owner seeks to bolster its lead in the java market amid increasing demand for upscale blends.

The Oakland, California-based company operates shops in the U.S. and Japan and is expected to reach 55 stores by the end of 2017, up from 29 a year earlier, Nestle said in a statement Thursday. It didn't disclose financial details.

#2: Post by **stherric** » September 14th, 2017, 2:33 pm

Just saw that on instagram. Hopefully they will be able to leverage Nestles coffee IP to deliver better products.

#3: Post by **RyanJE** » September 14th, 2017, 3:27 pm

Wonder what the long term play really is. Nestle after a higher end brand? Trying to prevent a quality pre ground pre packed player?

Never personally had BB pre ground stuff so not sure if it's good. If they can figure out an instant coffee / pod brewer that rivals fresh made coffee i might bite. It seems doable with nitrogen flushing and single serve pods etc.

#4: Post by **JerDGold** » September 14th, 2017, 4:07 pm

I dunno, I'm a blue bottle subscriber, and have been for about two years. I've been pretty happy with the service, but change is scary. I'll definitely be more aware of what comes to me over the next few months.

#5: Post by **TomC** » September 14th, 2017, 4:26 pm

I think there'll be pod machines and it's pre-dosed coffee on the market soon that'll match the best efforts of most of our snobby home gear. As it should be.

#6: Post by **Beezer** » September 14th, 2017, 4:36 pm

I think there'll be pod machines and it's pre-dosed coffee on the market soon that'll match the best efforts of most of our snobby home gear. As it should be.

Did you see this article? Sounds like at least one roaster is making good coffee pods, at least according to what Sprudge says.

http://sprudge.com/april-coffee-pods-pa ... 25333.html

September 14th, 2017, 4:49 pm

Yep. My main point is with deep pools of money like Nestle, and all their R&D, the convenient pod machines will only get better.

#8: Post by **RyanJE** » September 14th, 2017, 5:08 pm

Beezer wrote:Did you see this article? Sounds like at least one roaster is making good coffee pods, at least according to what Sprudge says.

http://sprudge.com/april-coffee-pods-pa ... 25333.html

I'm not giving up my espresso gear, but would happily take an alternative for drip in the AM..

Making espresso is fun, that's half the reason I do it.

#9: Post by **slipchuck** » September 14th, 2017, 6:59 pm

Maybe they can find a way to put nitro in the pod to keep it fresher

Randy

#10: Post by **chris_n** » September 14th, 2017, 7:35 pm

pods are already nitrogen flushed at packaging.