Leading plant-based brand Alpro today announces the launch of Alpro Matcha, the UK’s first ready-to-drink (RTD) soya-coconut based matcha drink.
Now launched on shelves in Sainsbury’s, with wider distribution across other major retailers by June, Alpro Matcha is a plant-based drink made with green tea matcha, combined with a soya-coconut base to provide a creamy texture and tropical taste. Versatile and served in a convenient 1L format, Alpro Matcha can be poured cold over ice, warmed, or foamed.
Fortified with 5 essential nutrients including Calcium, Iodine and Vitamins B9, D2, and B2, the new drink delivers on both taste and nutrition1, designed for afternoon occasions when 80% of matcha consumption occurs2.
Alpro’s launch responds to explosive growth in the matcha category, with matcha’s presence in tea and RTD products more than doubling from 5% in 2023 to 12% in the first 10 months of 20253. Research shows consumer interest is particularly strong among younger demographics, with 72% of green tea drinkers under 35 now enjoying hot matcha drinks at home or at work4.
Tom Kerr, Head of Category Management and Commercial Planning – Plant Based, Danone UK and Ireland said: “Matcha is growing at pace because it fits perfectly with today’s consumer habits and provides an on-trend alternative to traditional coffee, with a lower caffeine profile5.
“Barista is one of the most dynamic areas for the category as consumers, particularly among Gen Z and Millennials who are driving demand for simple, quality, ready-to-pour formats at home. This launch underscores our confidence in its future – not just for matcha and Barista, but for the plant-based sector across the board.”
Alpro is the first plant-based brand to bring a soya-coconut based RTD matcha drink to grocery, with the most competitively priced options on shelves.
It follows a year of significant innovation for Alpro in the UK, with the launch of its Alpro Kids range, limited-edition Cinnamon Roll Barista flavour, and major multi-million-pound investment by parent company Danone North Europe to source its most popular oat drink from 100% British oats.
The range is now available in Sainsbury’s and will launch across major retailers in the UK and the Republic of Ireland by June.
