Brooklyn, New York-based Explorer Cold Brew has acquired Savorista, a specialty coffee brand focused on decaf and half-caf coffees, as Explorer works to build a multi-brand “caffeine-conscious” coffee platform.
The companies announced the deal Jan. 13. Financial terms were not disclosed.
In the acquisition, Explorer said it is bringing the Savorista brand, associated intellectual property and its customer base into the “Explorer family.” Savorista founder Kait Brown will provide transition support and then continue to help shape the brand’s vision and storytelling, according to the announcement.
Both brands promote reduced-caffeine or caffeine-free products as a differentiating factor for consumers seeking to control their caffeine intake. The acquisition effectively adds roasted, bagged coffee to Explorer’s existing portfolio of bottled coffee concentrates and ready-to-drink coffee products.
“I built Savorista to craft astonishingly delicious decaf for the coffee lovers who want to savor the ritual and flavor of great coffee without the impact of too much caffeine,” said Savorista founder Kait Brown. “Explorer’s national distribution and passionate community will accelerate Savorista’s growth, bringing even more caffeine-conscious coffee options to our customers and fans everywhere.”
Founded in 2020 by mountaineer Cason Crane, Explorer built its early business around cold brew concentrates before expanding into canned lattes. Its products are currently sold nationally through retailers such as Whole Foods Market, Fresh Thyme and Amazon.
In early 2023, the company announced it closed a $2.5 million seed round, which followed a previous $1.5 million funding round in 2021.
Savorista was founded in 2018 by Brown and her husband and business partner, Daniel Fernandes. Brown previously worked in strategy and consulting, including at management consultancy Bain & Company, according to her LinkedIn profile.
The company has positioned itself in the “caffeine-conscious” niche through decaf and half-caf whole-bean and ground coffees, using decaffeination methods it describes as natural, including water-based processing and sugarcane-derived ethyl acetate.
Explorer founder Crane said, “Savorista strengthens our leadership in caffeine-conscious coffee and marks the first step in building a multi-brand platform for how people actually drink coffee today.”
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Nick Brown
Nick Brown is the editor of Daily Coffee News by Roast Magazine.
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