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

Launched in September following more than a year of research and development.

“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 of Salada Foods Tamii Brown told the Jamaica Observer recently.

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

Originated in India many years ago, chai is traditionally prepared by brewing black tea with milk and water, then adding aromatic spices and sugar. The beverage has since gained popularity internationally, with chai lattes becoming a fixture on coffee-shop menus despite containing no coffee.

The roll-out of Salada’s chai latte product comes as the company continues to focus on operational efficiency and widening its market reach, while seeking to sustain revenue and profit growth.

Beyond its distinctive flavour, chai offers consumers an alternative source of caffeine through black tea, which contains antioxidants. Spices commonly used in the beverage, such as ginger and cinnamon, are also associated with potential health benefits, although the nutritional profile of the finished beverage depends on its formulation and preparation, particularly its sugar content.

The recent roll-out of chai latte tea to market forms part of Salada’s broader strategy to diversify its product portfolio, drive innovation, and identify new growth opportunities.

Its launch marks the seventh product innovation in the last 30 months and comes as the manufacturer seeks to broaden offerings beyond its established ginger and ginger-turmeric teas and coffee products.

Through its flagship Jamaica Mountain Peak brand, Salada currently offers three-in-one coffee mixes in original, cinnameg, caramel, and coconut cappuccino flavours, as well as a golden turmeric latte with pumpkin spice. Last November, the company introduced a sorrel hibiscus flavour, as it moved to add more non-coffee options to its growing product line.

BROWN…the product offers a milder caffeine boost than conventional coffee lattes and contains antioxidants from black tea and locally sourced spices

Although the chai latte remains in the early stages of market introduction, Brown said initial consumer 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.

As Salada works to build awareness of the product locally, the manufacturer is also eyeing international markets. Brown said the beverage’s formulation and packaging were strategically designed to meet export specifications, with consumer feedback in Jamaica expected to inform the company’s expansion strategy.

“We are looking forward to establishing chai latte in the Jamaican market as we build consumer awareness and gather market insights that can inform our international expansion strategy,” she said.

Gaining popularity internationally over the last few years, chai lattes have become a fixture on coffee-shop menus despite containing no coffee. The beverage can be served hot or cold.

The product’s roll-out comes as Salada continues to focus on operational efficiency and widening its market reach while seeking to sustain revenue and profit growth.

For the third quarter ended June 30, 2026, the manufacturer recorded gross revenue of $443 million — an increase of 16 per cent, while net profit more than doubled to $68.3 million. For the nine-month period, this translated to revenues of $1.28 billion as net profit reached $168.5 million.

“This performance reflects continued and healthy demand for the company’s products across both domestic and export markets,” the directors said in a report to shareholders.

As the company moves forward, Brown said product innovation will remain central to Salada’s growth plans, with further additions to its flavour profile expected.

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