The BevNET team had a busy first day of Expo West as they scoured the North Hall, Fresh Ideas Tent and more. Here’s a quick look at what you’ll find in our latest Expo West news reap: ☕ Is the coffee cup half empty or half full? Minor Figures (#N218) would argue the latter, as despite dropping its 8.5 oz. RTD coffee line late last year, the oat milk specialists are launching a 32 oz. Chai Concentrate, set to enter foodservice outlets this June but also potentially poised for retail launch. Brewed strong at 4-to-1, it’s a marked difference from dominant category players like Oregon Chai and Tazo, both of which are 1-to-1 concentrates carrying a lower price point; Minor Figures’ version may end up around $15.99. 🥤 Kool-Aid and aguas frescas are not the same. Yet the bright red drink mix is something of an inspiration for California-based startup TUYYO (#N1271) as it builds the market for a natural, powdered take on the traditional Mexican staple, sold in 8.5 oz. multiserve tubs (12 servings) in three flavors for around $8.99. Now in around 200 stores, including H-E-B accounts in Texas, Town & Country stores in the Pacific Northwest and California independents like Berkeley Bowl and Rainbow Foods, the brand has arrived at Expo West ready to build out its distribution. 💧 Hydration is hot, but is there room for a premium product? Malibu-based KOR (#N622), best known for its flagship functional cold-pressed juice shots, believes so as it introduces its new three-SKU Hydrate line – available in Orange Ginger, Citrus Refresh and Superfood Quench – featuring 30% cold-pressed juice per bottle (so yes, it’s perishable), but get an added boost of electrolytes (potassium, magnesium) and B vitamins. ✈️ Coffee shots have been tried before (remember FORTO?) but Explorer Cold Brew’s (#8711) take on a small-format on-the-go product is going for something slightly more elevated. Its TSA-compliant 2 oz travel size bottles – available in 4-packs for $22.49 – are now moving into brick-and-mortar retail. Read the full Expo West recap on BevNET. | 
