This fall, Panera Bread's U.S. bakery-cafes will add a new version of its seasonal pumpkin spice latte and a new line of 'clean' bottled beverages that are free of artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners and preservatives as delineated on the company's 'No No List'. Panera's brewed teas, lemonades, smoothies, bottled milks and juices are already free of these artificial ingredients.
An extension of the brand's food policy ideals, Panera's newly 'clean' pumpkin spice latte is made with select ingredients including milk, real pumpkin, whipped cream, spices and salted caramel sauce. The latte will be previewed at a public sampling in Victor Steinbrueck Park near Pike's Place in Seattle, WA on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2015 at 7:00 a.m. PST and available at Panera locations nationwide beginning on Sept. 9, 2015.
"Our pumpkin spice latte has long been made with real pumpkin and without artificial caramel color -- and this year we're taking 'real' a step further," said Dan Kish, Panera Bread's Head Chef. "We're offering a 'Real Pumpkin Latte,' made entirely without artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners or preservatives, and letting the goodness of real pumpkin, milk and spices do all the work."
Testing is also underway to roll out 'clean' versions of the Company's vanilla, caramel and chocolate syrups, used in other barista beverages.
The bottled beverage line-up will add other 'clean' offerings nationally including BluePrint® cold-pressed Beet Red and Green juices, Harmless Harvest® Coconut Water and bottled Joia® Grapefruit Chamomile and Cardamom Soda.
"Our goal is to continue adding new flavors and lifestyle choices in beverage -- clean, but evolving with the tastes and seasons," said Kish.