Gummy supplement manufacturer TopGum launched Gummiccino, its new line of high-dosage caffeine gummies.
The product marks the first use of TopGum’s new proprietary microencapsulation technology designed to enhance flavour and boost absorption. The functional gummies are infused with an extract of robusta coffee beans (Coffea robusta) that perfectly captures the genuine aroma, flavour, and colour of coffee.
“Until now, coffee-flavoured caffeine gummies have had a limited market presence due to tendencies to develop a bitter flavour,” explains Amichai Bar-Nir, CEO of TopGum. “Thanks to our novel TopCaps technology, busy coffee lovers can finally experience the rich flavour of coffee in gummy form, with zero bitterness.”
“The product line represents the culmination of a lengthy and complex development process,” says Eli Edri, TopGum’s COO and VP of strategic partnerships. “Over the last couple of years, we worked on the development of a state-of-the-art microencapsulation technology—called TopCaps—that is uniquely tailored for gummies. This innovative technology allows consumers to savour the flavour and aroma of coffee-on-the-go, while energising themselves with a single chewy treat.”
The gummy delivery system has been capturing the nutraceutical market, with research showing that the gummy is fast becoming Americans’ favourite way to take supplements. According to Innova Market Insights, gummy supplement launches grew by 54% in the five-year period from 2017-2022 globally. This marks it as one of the fastest-growing supplement segments.
For its new coffee line, TopGum offers a choice of three popular, out-of-the-box flavours: espresso, cappuccino, and mocha. TopGum’s global customer base, which includes major food and supplement companies, can customise the Gummiccino matrix by adjusting dosage, flavour, colour, shape, and size.
Our TopCaps microencapsulation system allows the body to effectively absorb the caffeine by coating the caffeine particles with a natural substance that breaks down in the stomach
In addition to providing the full coffee sensory experience, TopGum’s gummies deliver a true functional dose of caffeine: Each serving of two coffee gummies contains 40 mg of caffeine, which is equivalent to a standard espresso shot. This makes it an appealing and convenient alternative for the 74% of Americans who drink coffee daily. It also appeals to consumers who simply need a quick energy boost.
According to the International Coffee Organisation, between June 2020 and June 2021, Europeans consumed 242 million kilograms of coffee. Including the UK (21.8 million kgs) and Switzerland (9.3 million kgs) into that figure, a staggering total of 273 million kgs of coffee were consumed.
“The new line represents a breakthrough in the caffeine gummy space,” added Edri. “Our TopCaps microencapsulation system allows the body to effectively absorb the caffeine by coating the caffeine particles with a natural substance that breaks down in the stomach, not the mouth. TopCaps technology will allow additional functionalities, which will be presented next year.
The company plans to leverage its TopCaps technology to formulate more innovative gummy-based products that cater to specific consumer needs. These projects will be led by the recently appointed head of R&D, Evgenia Lozinsky, who previously served as the CEO of PharmItBe. TopGum is establishing a specialised microencapsulation plant in Israel to bring its cutting-edge technology to the global market on a large scale.
The new line joins TopGum’s catalogue of nutraceutical-enriched gummies that are being commercialised on a private-label basis. The company also offers custom formulations to brands formulating gummies with their own ingredients. Using TopGum’s service, brands can take advantage of the growing gummy market faster than if they had to reinvent the technology on their own.