Inspired by Goguma lattes that can be found in South Korea, Whitney Bond of the Little Leopard Book blog created a sweet potato latte. This Korean drink is typically made of sweet potato puree, milk, sweetener, plus either green tea or espresso for a boost. Determined to replicate the Korean recipe in her own kitchen, Bond created her own twist with a sweet potato, milk, honey, cinnamon and a green tea bag.
The recipe involves thinning out a potato puree with a milk of your own choosing (coconut, almond, soy or regular) and adding a few additional ingredients for sweetness.
Although the pumpkin latte has reached cult status in America, yams and other root vegetables are not yet seen as equal alternatives, despite having flavors that may even be naturally sweeter than pumpkin.
Yam Tea Lattes
Little Leopard Book's Sweet Potato Latte is a Hearty Cold Weather Drink
Trend Themes
1. Root Vegetable Lattes - The rise of root vegetable lattes could disrupt the dominance of pumpkin lattes in coffee shops and lead to new ingredient combinations.
2. DIY Korean Drinks - As more people experiment with making Korean-inspired drinks at home, there is an opportunity for companies to market specialty ingredients and equipment.
3. Alternative Milk Products - As consumers seek out dairy-free and plant-based options, there is a need for innovative and sustainable alternative milk products to pair with root vegetable lattes.
Industry Implications
1. Coffee Shops - Coffee shops can incorporate root vegetable lattes into their menu offerings and promote them as a unique and seasonal alternative to pumpkin spice lattes.
2. Food and Beverage Retailers - Food and beverage retailers can market root vegetables and specialty ingredients for making homemade lattes, capturing the trend of DIY Korean-inspired drinks.
3. Alternative Milk Producers - Producers of alternative milk products can capitalize on the demand for plant-based options and create new products that pair well with root vegetable lattes.