Dive Summary:
- Coca-Cola on Wednesday announced the launch of Habu, a new herbal drink that is being rolled out in Thailand. (The Bangkok Post has coverage of the launch.)
- The tea beverage will be made with roselle, licorice, luo han guo and cogon grass for a taste that a Coca-Cola representative told Bloomberg Businessweek is “not bitter," even though drinkers can "taste the presence of the four herbs.”
- The move comes as Coca-Cola saw a 17% uptick in sales in Thailand during the first half of 2013.
Dive Insight:
Coca-Cola's international offerings have attracted attention this year as soda consumption in the U.S. has declined (as noted in the company's second-quarter earnings report), even while Asia sales have increased. Coke is also exploring new sweetener options in Argentina while defending its use of aspartame to Americans.