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Bickford’s has launched a ready-to-drink iced coffee range, its first variety of products developed on its new bottling line. The release also coincides with the centenary year of Bickford’s Iced Coffee Syrup in production.

The family-business first started developing the syrup in November 1919 and continues to be in development today. With an established history in coffee, Bickford’s group marketing manager Chris Illman said the ready-to-drink iced coffee range – which includes dairy options of Classic Coffee and Extra Shot, as well as an almond milk based iced coffee – was the next step.

“As we enter the centenary year of our Iced Coffee syrup, a ready to drink coffee option was an obvious flavour to start with on our fantastic new production line,” said Illman.

“The response from consumers has been fantastic. In particular, the almond version has been given a resounding thumbs up.

“When we spoke to consumers, the feedback was that many almond products are thin and watery, so we worked hard to achieve the right mouthfeel as well as flavour and it seems we did a pretty good job.”

Bickford’s new production line, which features aseptic technology, was launched on 5 September, with prime minister Scott Morrison officially opening the new site.

The new iced coffee range will be introduced in Foodland, Drakes and OTR in South Australia, before extending out nationally through Bickford’s distribution network.

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