Hey Pepsi, We Remain Perplexed. But These Brands Straight Slapp.
Taste Radio
What’s the point of PepsiCo’s new sub-line of prebiotic colas? Is it addressing genuine consumer demand for functional ingredients, or just riding the wellness wave? The hosts once again weigh in. They also highlight emerging shot brands gaining traction and take a closer look at how the viral “WaterTok” phenomenon may have influenced Keurig Dr Pepper’s acquisition of Dyla Brands. Show notes: 0:25: Take Two. Fun > Function. We Gotta Have More Ginger. Sturring The Pot. Thin Or Thick? Mike Takes A Hit. – The team kicks things off with behind-the-scenes banter, including a powdered...
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A Tip From A Top Brand? Quality & Convenience Are Essential.
Taste Radio
Convenience and quality don’t always go hand in hand, but Tip Top Cocktails is changing that perception, one perfectly crafted drink at a time. Founded in 2019, Tip Top is an Atlanta-based brand known for its spirit-forward, bar-quality offerings. Childhood friends Yoni Reisman and Neal Cohen launched the company with a simple mission: make great cocktails more accessible, no bartender required. Tip Top’s lineup includes time-honored classics like the Old Fashioned, Negroni, and Margarita, as well as modern favorites such as the Paper Plane, Penicillin, and Naked & Famous. Each...
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Be Timely. Be Great. Be Relentless. Why The GNGR Formula Works.
Taste Radio
How did GNGR Labs’ organic, cold-pressed wellness shots become a staple in New York City bodegas and land nationwide distribution at Wegmans? Founder Namik Soltan shares a story powered by purpose, product and unrelenting persistence. The hosts also unpack PepsiCo’s unexpected – and gutsy – announcement and explore how excellence fueled Tia Lupita’s acquisition. Show notes: 0:35: Shot Hoarders. Hey, Pepsi. You Forget Something? Honoring Tia. Chomping At The Bit. Good Sips. -The hosts open by heaping praise on GNGR Labs’ shots, followed by a few laughs and questions about Mike’s...
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Elevator Talk: Brainfood, BaoBlast, AVSOME, Bad Mermaid, High Ground Elixir
Taste Radio
The latest installment of Elevator Talk features leaders from Brainfood, BaoBlast, AVSOME, Bad Mermaid and High Ground Elixir. Watch founders and CEOs introduce their brands and provide a recap of recent news and updates. This week’s special co-host is Dayton Miller, a managing partner with BFG Partners, who shared his thoughts, questions and feedback with the participants. He is joined by Ray Latif, the editor and producer of the Taste Radio podcast. Founders and CEOs of early stage food or beverage brands are invited to join future shows to pitch their products, discuss recent news and get...
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When Is $200M In Sales Just The Beginning? When The Brand Is Yerba Madre.
Taste Radio
Yerba Madre is a brand nearly synonymous with its namesake ingredient. But in a country where most consumers have never even heard of yerba mate, a caffeine-laden herbal infusion native to South America, how do you build a household name around it? Guiding that vision is Ben Mand, who was named CEO of Yerba Madre in March 2024. Formerly known as Guayakí, the company has been pioneering yerba mate-based beverages since 1996, offering both loose-leaf and ready-to-drink formats. Today, the brand generates nearly $200 million in annual sales and is stocked in natural and conventional retailers...
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How To Go Viral In 60 Seconds? Sell Raw Cod. Not Celeb 'Tinis.
Taste Radio
What happens when a high-profile protein bar brand suddenly dives into frozen seafood? Naturally, the industry takes notice—and chaos ensues. In this episode, the hosts unpack David’s unexpected launch of raw frozen cod, a move that seems both strategic and defiant, sparking intense debate across the CPG world. They also delve into the debut of Love Potion, a new ready-to-drink espresso martini from “Bachelor in Paradise” alum Justin Glaze, exploring what it reveals about the saturated, and increasingly unpredictable, landscape of celebrity-backed beverages. Show notes: 0:35: Marion...
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Elevator Talk: NIKIGO, Zip Frut, TruJoy, Mamame, Jack’s Dad’s Hummus
Taste Radio
The latest episode of Elevator Talk features leaders from NIKIGO, Zip Frut, TruJoy Yogurt, Mamame Tempeh Chips and Jack’s Dad’s Hummus. Watch founders and CEOs introduce their brands and provide a recap of recent news and updates. This week’s special co-host is Tom Spier, the founder and managing partner of venture capital firm BFG Partners, who shared his thoughts, questions and feedback with the participants. He is joined by Ray Latif, the editor and producer of the Taste Radio podcast. Founders and CEOs of early stage food or beverage brands are invited to join future shows to pitch...
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From Apothecary To Icon. The Rise Of Fernet-Branca In America.
Taste Radio
How did a 180-year-old Italian digestif become one of America’s most beloved bar staples? Though Fernet-Branca has enjoyed a storied legacy in Europe since its creation in 1845, it remained a niche curiosity in the United States for much of its life. The intensely bitter, herbal liqueur was appreciated only by the most adventurous palates. Today, however, it's a fixture behind the bar from upscale cocktail lounges to neighborhood dive bars, most often knocked back in shot form and celebrated for its distinct flavor profile. Who better to trace Fernet-Branca’s unlikely rise than Edoardo...
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Will MAHA Target Plastic? And, How The ‘West’ Is Won.
Taste Radio
Could plastic packaging be the next target on MAHA’s hitlist? Have we reached peak chili crisp? Has Dubai chocolate already jumped the shark? The hosts dig in and debate, then spotlight a new $450 million fund that’s fueling emerging food and beverage brands. We also sit down with Tara Lindley of High West, who talks about how the revered whiskey brand balances innovation with market demand. 0:35: No Ski, Just Apres. A CPG Hub. Bright News, Big Money. Dubai Snickers. Hoarding Crisp. THC Bs. – John is back home and in the studio, though he's still craving the Guinness from his recent...
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The Hip-Hop Icon Building A Whiskey Brand For Everyone
Taste Radio
A hip-hop icon. A lifelong bond. A shared passion for craft spirits. And a warehouse full of aged whiskey. When these elements came together, they gave rise to Amber & Opal, a premium honey botanical rye whiskey that’s turning heads in the spirits industry. Launched in 2024, Amber & Opal was co-founded by Ja Rule, Herb Rice, Sandy Sandiford, and Kelvin Barton. A rye whiskey blended with orange blossom honey and an elegant mix of botanicals, including cinnamon, fig, ginger, and black tea, the spirit was crafted to bridge worlds: approachable for newcomers, yet complex enough to...
info_outlineWhy did it take government pressure for Kraft Heinz to clean up its act? The hosts unpack the conglomerate’s pledge to drop artificial dyes from its products by 2027, and what it says about Big Food’s priorities. The episode also features interviews with the founders of two remarkable early-stage brands: Maura Duggan of Fancypants Baking Co. and Allison Elliott of Farmer Foodie.
Show notes:
0:35: The Biggest Apple. Pin It, Emma. Hey, Big Food - Why Now? Gamey-Time. Clear Use Case. – The hosts review the recently held BevNET Live Summer 2025 in New York City and how the event reflected a sense of positive energy throughout the beverage industry as well as the growing power of founder-driven innovation to meet modern consumer demands. They also discuss Pinterest's foray into e-commerce via a co-branded coffee launch with Emma Chamberlain along with Kraft Heinz’s decision to remove artificial dyes by 2026 and whether companies should act proactively in response to clean label trends. Mike busts out some Berski, a new brand of ancestral meat sticks made with beef liver and heart, while John highlights Brightland’s new line of everyday olive oils.
26:06: Interview: Maura Duggan, Founder & CEO, Fancypants Baking Co. – Maura shares her journey from baking decorative cookies in her apartment in 2004 to launching a full-fledged CPG brand in 2024. She discusses the company's transition from fresh bakery sales to packaged consumer goods, emphasizing their commitment to high-quality, nut-free ingredients and their signature small, crunchy cookies. Maura highlights the strategic use of bright red packaging and a playful peacock mascot to stand out on shelves, the importance of limited-edition flavors to keep consumers engaged, and the advantages of self-manufacturing.
41:45: Interview: Alison Elliott, Founder & CEO, Farmer Foodie – Alison talks about the origins of Farmer Foodie, which is known for its shelf-stable, dairy-free and gluten-free Cashew Parm products, her background in farming and social impact and how she started Farmer Foodie as a food blog and transformed it into a CPG company during the pandemic. Alison also discusses overcoming the challenges of landing retail placement, differentiating in a nascent category, and her products’ appeal beyond vegan consumers.
Brands in this episode: Fancypants Baking Co., Farmer Foodie, Olipop, Liquid Death, Chamberlain Coffee, Top Of The Mornin’, Jell-O, Crystal Light, Kool-Aid, Berski, Archer, Yaza, Brightland, Graza, Mariona, Brez, Cann, Moshi, Kif