Costa Coffee has revealed the thinking behind its new Maple Hazel Matcha drink, a seasonal addition that has proved popular with customers since launch. The drink, available iced or hot, was introduced as part of the brand's Autumn range.
A Seasonal Favourite Reimagined
Nishant Bhatia, Global Food and Beverage Innovation Director at Costa Coffee, explained that Maple Hazel has been a staple of the brand's autumn menu for five years. The decision to create a matcha version came from a desire to expand the flavour into one of the company's fastest-growing drink categories.
“Maple Hazel has become a much-loved part of autumn at Costa Coffee over the past five years, with customers returning to it year after year as a flavour that signals the start of the season,” Bhatia said.
Why Matcha and Maple Hazel Work Together
Bhatia described the Maple Hazel Iced Matcha Latte as an example of how the menu is evolving to reflect changing customer tastes. He noted that the earthy notes of matcha complement the sweetness of maple and roasted hazelnut, creating a drink that feels both familiar and unexpected.
The drink was deliberately developed as an iced-only beverage, recognising that customers are increasingly enjoying iced drinks all year round and are looking for new seasonal choices beyond traditional hot beverages.
Customer Response and Sales Impact
According to Bhatia, the response has been “incredible,” with Costa Coffee now the UK's largest seller of matcha overall. The Maple Hazel Iced Matcha Latte currently accounts for almost a third of the brand's Autumn matcha sales.
“It's clear customers are responding to the combination of a fast-growing category and an iconic seasonal flavour,” Bhatia added, describing the drink as another step in the evolution of the matcha range.
