GoKawiilCoffee shops, restaurants roll out pine and forest-inspired flavors
A New York Times report highlights a growing trend of food and drink makers using forest-themed flavors such as pine, juniper, sage and rosemary. Examples include a Smoky Mountain Latte at Knoxville's K Brew, botanical sodas from Forest Water, a $28 Forest Old Fashioned cocktail in Manhattan, and syrup maker Torani naming Forest Pine its flavor of the year.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
The trend suggests food companies are responding to consumer demand for flavors associated with nature and calm, according to PepsiCo scientist Ashley Doolin, who said interest in 'outdoor-inspired, botanical and earthy flavors' is rising across markets. This could signal a broader shift away from traditional seasonal flavors like pumpkin spice toward wellness-associated tastes, though it remains unclear how widespread or lasting the shift will be.
- Forest flavors like pine, juniper, sage and rosemary are appearing in cafes, bars and creameries.
- PepsiCo says consumer interest in earthy, outdoor-inspired flavors is rising across markets.
- Torani naming Forest Pine its flavor of the year signals industry-wide attention to the trend.
Rishi Tea Juniper Berry Loose Leaf — If forest flavors are calling to you, this juniper-forward loose leaf tea lets you experiment with earthy, woodsy notes at home, similar to the botanical drinks cafes are now crafting. It's a simple way to explore the pine-and-herb trend without heading to a specialty cafe.
See Rishi Tea Juniper Berry Loose Leaf on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: entrepreneur.com — Sherin Shibu, 2026-09-29
Published there as: “Here’s Why Your Next Latte Might Taste Like a Walk in the Woods”
Read the original report → The summary and analysis above are GoKawiil's own, written from reporting by the source above. Facts and quotes belong to the original publisher.