Dessert and Cafe Trend News — 2026-04-27

Today's New Menu Highlights

Ediya Coffee — Launches 2 new PET coffees, completing a 5-product lineup

• Category: Beverages (RTD/PET)
• Launch Date: April 23, 2026 (Permanent)
• Key Features: Released two new products, "Triple Low Sugar Latte" and "Triple Decaffeinated Americano," completing a 5-product PET coffee lineup. The brand is targeting health-conscious consumers with low-sugar and decaf options.
• Why it matters: Struggling with stagnant growth between low-cost chains and premium brands, this is Ediya's strategic move to secure new revenue through the RTD market.

1 sources

getnews.co.kr

[오늘의 신상품] 이디야커피, PET 제품군 총 5종 라인업 구축 外 오뚜기·폴바셋·메가MGC커피·아모레퍼시픽

Paris Baguette — Opens dessert-specialty store "Cafe de Dessert"

• Category: Bakery / Dessert Specialty Store
• Launch Date: April 2026 (Planned expansion in the second half of the year)
• Key Features: Opened "Cafe de Dessert," a specialty store capturing the vibe of Paris. It highlights a premium dessert environment distinct from standard Paris Baguette locations.
• Why it matters: The country's top bakery chain separating its dessert category into a standalone specialty store is a direct response to the surge in demand for premium desserts.

Knotted, A'TWOSOMEPLACE, Starbucks — Expanding Ube-based products

• Category: Dessert / Beverage
• Launch Date: Around April 19, 2026 (Varies by brand)
• Key Features: Desserts and drinks using "Ube," a purple yam from the Philippines, are popping up across major cafe and dessert brands. Their vibrant purple color and exotic flavor are spreading rapidly, fueled by social media visual trends.
• Why it matters: Following the boom in Dubai chocolate and pistachio, this highlights that "exotic ingredients" with visual appeal and unique flavors remain key drivers for Gen Z consumers.

1 sources

zdnet.co.kr

외식업계 사로잡은 우베…투썸·스타벅스 등 관련 제품 출시 - ZDNet korea

Franchise Trends

• A'TWOSOMEPLACE: Achieved record-high results for three consecutive years in 2025 (582.4 billion KRW revenue, 36.3 billion KRW operating profit; +12% revenue and +11% operating profit YoY). However, narrowing the profit margin remains a challenge. The company stated, "We are expanding our demand base through category expansion."

• Ediya Coffee: Celebrating its 25th anniversary, the brand is facing a decline in key management indicators after losing the #1 spot in number of stores. Caught between low-cost chains (Mega Coffee, Compose Coffee) and premium brands (Starbucks, A'TWOSOMEPLACE), it is looking for a breakthrough in the PET and RTD market.

• Mega MGC Coffee & Paul Bassett: Participated in the new product race on April 23. Check original sources for specific product details.

• Brand Reputation (April): According to the Korea Corporate Reputation Research Institute, the top coffee brand rankings are 1st Starbucks, 2nd Mega Coffee, and 3rd A'TWOSOMEPLACE.

Convenience Store & Bakery New Arrivals

• Paris Baguette — Cafe de Dessert: Launched as a premium dessert-focused space with a Parisian vibe. It signals the start of a full-scale strategy for specialized "dessert cafe" formats in the domestic bakery market.

• Ediya Coffee — 2 New PET Lattes & Americanos: The "Triple Low Sugar Latte" and "Triple Decaffeinated Americano" will be available via retail channels like convenience stores, completing the 5-product lineup.

Trend Keywords of the Day

1. Ube: The purple yam from the Philippines is emerging as a new "super ingredient." Brands like Knotted, A'TWOSOMEPLACE, and Starbucks are leading the trend. It's a combination of visual-focused social media consumption and interest in exotic flavors.

2. RTD/PET Coffee War: As cafe visits plateau, the RTD (Ready To Drink) market is benefiting. Beyond Ediya’s 5-product lineup, the industry is accelerating the launch of functional products focusing on low sugar, decaf, and high protein.

3. Specialized Dessert Stores: Strategies like Paris Baguette's "Cafe de Dessert"—separating desserts into dedicated stores—are spreading. The 2026 KIBA (Korea International Bakery Fair) also highlighted the strengthening of "K-Bakery" competitiveness through frozen dough, smart equipment, and premium ingredients.

Global Comparison

Globally, Starbucks mainstreamed the Dubai chocolate trend on January 6, 2026, with the launch of "Iced Dubai Chocolate Mocha" and "Iced Dubai Chocolate Matcha." Both drinks feature pistachio cream cold foam, combining three mega trends: pistachio, Dubai chocolate, and matcha. South Korea is showing similar trends with exotic ingredients, though the domestic market often filters these through an "Asian lens," prioritizing ingredients like Ube.

Upcoming Events

• KIBA 2026 (Korea International Bakery Fair): Held in April 2026. This key industry event showcases solutions like frozen dough and premium ingredients, offering a glimpse into future product directions.

• 2026 Seoul Coffee Expo (Ended April 19): New beverage ingredients and dessert products showcased under the "Blend the World" slogan are expected to hit the market starting in May.

• Paris Baguette 'Cafe de Dessert' Expansion: Once additional locations are confirmed, it will likely become a major factor in the competitive landscape of the premium bakery cafe market.

Action Items for Readers

• Menu Planners: Since Ube, pistachio, and Dubai chocolate trends are running concurrently, develop "fusion signature drinks" that combine these ingredients to maximize social media appeal. Pairing these with low-sugar or decaf versions—like Ediya's PET line—can help capture health-conscious consumers.
• Cafe Owners: Benchmark Paris Baguette's "Cafe de Dessert" by considering an interior refresh that separates your dessert section into a dedicated, visually appealing space. Even small cafes can see an increase in average spend by promoting 1-2 signature Ube or pistachio items using OMO (Online-to-Offline) marketing.