Salada offers Chai Latte as a milder option to caffeine

Salada Foods Jamaica Limited is expanding its range of instant beverages with Jamaica Mountain Peak Chai Latte, a spiced tea drink aimed at consumers looking for a milder caffeine boost than traditional coffee.

Launched in September after more than a year of research and development, the three-in-one beverage combines black tea with a masala spice blend and can be enjoyed hot or cold.

“Our Jamaica Mountain Peak Chai Latte is an extension of our latte line, which started with our Golden Turmeric Latte with Pumpkin Spice. The product can be consumed both hot and cold and is formulated with black tea and a masala spice blend of cardamom, cinnamon, clove, ginger, and piperine,” General Manager Tamii Brown told the Jamaica Observer.

“The product offers a milder caffeine boost than conventional coffee lattes and contains antioxidants from black tea and locally sourced spices,” she added, noting that Salada’s coconut-based creamer across its latte range delivers a familiar, creamy taste while catering to consumers seeking non-dairy options.

The roll-out marks Salada’s seventh product innovation in the last 30 months as the manufacturer continues to diversify its portfolio beyond its established ginger and ginger-turmeric teas and coffee mixes. Alongside its three-in-one coffee mixes (Original, Cinnameg, Caramel and Coconut Cappuccino) and Golden Turmeric Latte with Pumpkin Spice, Salada introduced Sorrel Hibiscus in November 2025 to broaden its non-coffee offerings.

Although the chai latte is still in the early stages of its market introduction, Brown said initial feedback has been encouraging. “It’s early, but the response has been encouraging. Our consumers have been largely positive about the introduction of the chai latte as they enjoy the flavour and savour the time it takes to drink the product,” she said.

Designed and packaged to meet export specifications, the beverage is also positioned for overseas growth as Salada gathers consumer insights in the local market. The launch comes alongside strong financial results: for the third quarter ended 30 June 2026, gross revenue rose 16 per cent to J$443 million while net profit more than doubled to J$68.3 million, bringing nine-month revenue to J$1.28 billion and net profit to J$168.5 million.

“At Salada, we are always innovating, and so, in terms of our plans to add new flavours, there is definitely more to come,” Brown said.

Source: Jamaica Observer, 28 October 2026.