Why is the 1-liter iced americano taking over cafe menus?

Cafes from South Korea and Japan to Yanji in China are rolling out 1-liter iced americanos, and the trend is spreading as temperatures rise. The large size appeals through value for money and a strong visual that travels well on social media. It follows earlier trends such as 400-times hand-shaken coffee, donut coffee, and canele lattes that also started in South Korea.

South Korean shops sold 1-liter products as early as 2015, and Japan, Thailand, and Taiwan followed. In China, coffee was long seen as a premium purchase, so the format did not take off until prices fell and demand grew, starting in Yanji. Consumers weighing iced americano or hot americano which is better for weight loss still choose based on calories, and an americano cafe must judge whether a bucket-sized drink brings lasting traffic or fades as a short-lived hit.

As temperatures warm up, the cold drink sector is buzzing again, and one of the most eye-catching trends this year is cafes rolling out 1-liter iced Americanos. From South Korea and Japan to Yanji in China, this large-capacity coffee wave is quickly sweeping the country. Why has it so swiftly captured the hearts of office workers? Is it extreme value for money, or the social media buzz from its visual impact? At the same time, is bucket-sized coffee suitable for all cafes to sell long term? This article will trace the popularity of the 1L iced Americano, analyze the reasons behind its rise, and explore how stores can use it to draw traffic without being undermined by a short-lived hit. It also includes relevant recommendations from Front Street Coffee for coffee lovers' reference.

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As spring arrives, temperatures gradually climb, and the cold drink market ushers in a new wave of sales. The "Plus-size" trend has also quietly swept through the entire beverage industry.

From giant bucket milk tea and king-size fruit tea to coffee now offering 1-liter versions, it has truly become a life-extending elixir for office workers.

What sparked the 1L iced Americano trend?

Like 400-times hand-shaken coffee, donut coffee, and canelé lattes that once flooded social media, the 1L iced Americano trend also originated in South Korea.

As early as 2015, many coffee shops in South Korea began selling 1-liter products, and later Japan, Thailand, Taiwan, and other regions followed suit with giant coffees.

However, at that time, demand for coffee in other parts of China was not yet that high, and coffee was still seen as a relatively premium consumption, so 1L coffee did not immediately take off.

It was not until recent years, as coffee became more affordable, that 1L iced coffee began to gain popularity starting from the Yanji area in the past year, and as the weather warmed, cafes in other regions also gradually followed suit with 1L products.

Why has the 1L iced Americano quickly swept through cafes nationwide?

Today, more and more consumers prioritize value for money when making purchases, and large portions can more intuitively convey a sense of "good deal." Although the coffee concentration is not very high at this volume, it exactly meets office workers' caffeine needs.

According to observations, 1L iced Americanos are priced between about 18 and 28 yuan, sending a signal of "super value." Buying a bucket of 1L iced Americano can also be shared with several friends. Whether enjoyed alone or shared among multiple people, it is much cheaper than buying regular-sized iced Americanos individually.

Another reason for its popularity is the strong visual impact of the bucket size. Compared to regular 200-300ml cups, a 1L iced Americano is highly eye-catching both in promotion and when consumers take photos to share, and it also makes people think of a certain store's 1L product first when they crave an iced Americano.

In addition, unlike everyday cups, some bucket cups are short and large-capacity. If the container material is sturdy enough, consumers are more willing to keep the cup for creative reuse and then take photos to share. Fun and interesting cup designs can attract more attention, thereby driving consumption and boosting demand.

How long can 1L coffee stay popular?

Like many flash-in-the-pan internet-famous coffees, 1L coffee is better suited as a limited-edition hit, and it is not recommended for cafes to sell such products specifically long term.

After all, 1L is simply too large a volume, and drinking it is quite taxing on the kidneys. Although it can be shared, the repurchase rate is actually not as high as other coffees, mainly because the product itself has limitations and lacks much room for creativity.

It can be seen that currently 1L coffee only includes iced Americano and iced latte, and among them only iced Americano has really broken out. On one hand, after the ice melts, iced Americano does not change much in taste apart from a lower concentration; on the other hand, its cost is also low.

In an iced latte, however, the milk does not taste ideal after the ice melts. At the same time, if a 1L version were offered, the milk cost would also be very high, making it difficult to directly reflect value for money in pricing.

That said, cafes offering 1L products can indeed bring short-term traffic to the store. But note that this opportunity should be used to create a good in-store consumption experience, improve service, and manage product consistency, so that customers who originally came only to check in have a chance to become returning customers.

Overall, bucket-sized coffee is indeed a selling point and a highly cost-effective way to attract traffic and attention.

Image source: Internet

The above content is compiled by CoffeeHunters, a coffee news website.