Sugar-free cold drip is naturally sweeter

The pairing of two celebrated Queensland food producers is such a sweet idea, the delicious product of their union needs only two ingredients.

Brisbane-based Merlo Coffee and Barambah Organics dairy have launched a flavourful and low-calorie cold press iced coffee, using a specially created blend of selected coffee and 100 per cent organic full cream milk.

Barambah Organics owner Ian Campbell, a university-qualified animal scientist and human nutritionist, said the first bottles of Cold Press Iced Coffee Powered by Merlo Coffee Roasters began running off his Darra production line last week with 20,000 bottles available nationally.

“What sets this iced coffee apart is its simplicity: it’s just coffee and organic, full fat milk. There are no added sugars, powders, vegetable gum, cocoa or other flavours,” Mr Campbell said.

“Barambah Organics is proud to be teaming up with Merlo, another premium Queensland company, to produce the best tasting coffee drink on the market – it’s also naturally good for you.”

Dean Merlo, who started building his coffee empire in 1992, said the partnership with Barambah Organics was a natural fit.

“We believe Merlo beans make the best coffee and Barambah Organics won the title of 2019 Dairy Australia Champion, so it’s a perfect blend,” Mr Merlo said.

“The coffee is a specially made blend of five origins from three different continents and has a real kick. It is cold-dripped for 22 hours to create a smooth, rich flavour and then blended with naturally sweet milk.

“It’s just like having a barista-made latte.”

Mr Merlo said all 15 Merlo cafes throughout Queensland as well as Merlo’s Melbourne store would stock the new iced coffee.

Barambah Organics dietitian Alex Robinson said the new Cold Press Iced Coffee Powered by Merlo Coffee Roasters was one of the lowest-calorie iced coffee options on the market.

“There’s only 185 calories in a 375ml bottle of our cold press iced coffee, which is a great deal less than other iced coffees,” she said.

“Having no added sugar really sets this product apart.”