Vegetable Milk Day (August 22) is a relatively new but rapidly growing holiday initiated by activists and organizations that advocate for animal rights, environmental protection and a healthy lifestyle. In 2022, sales of vegetable milk already amounted to PLN 387.1 million. Food companies quickly saw the growing popularity of plant-based products in the Polish market and - like the Inka brand - began to create their own lines of plant-based beverages. Agnieszka Staśkiewicz, Marketing Manager at Inka will talk about the fashion for vegetable milk.
FaD: Hi Agnieszka!
AS: Hello!
FaD: Agnieszka, the average consumer asked about associations with the Inka brand, would answer without a second thought: "cereal coffee”. How did the history of your brand begin with the creation of a new product in the form of plant-based beverages?
AS: It all started with a dream-to create drinks that will become a delicious and plant-based alternative to milk, just as our grain coffee - it's a delicious alternative to natural coffee. Our intention was to keep the drink mix as simple as possible and at the same time provide the same nutritional value as milk. We put a lot of work into developing recipes, packaging and communications. And so, after many months of testing, tasting, and designing, the first Inka herbal beverages were born.
Our drinks' market debut was exciting and the first reactions from consumers exceeded our wildest expectations. They liked our iconic cereal coffee with the addition of oatmeal vegetable drink. Then, we knew that we had created the perfect duet!
FaD: Do only vegetarians and vegans choose vegetable milk?
AS: Plant-based drinks are definitely no longer a product only for vegetarians and vegans. Currently, more and more people are turning to plant-based drinks, the main motive for buying which is curiosity-the desire to try something new, taste diversity, as well as health and environmental aspects. Problems of diet or food intolerance remain relevant, but they are no longer the main ones. Plant-based beverages are no longer a niche, but have become a staple. I hope that the well-known brand Inka has contributed at least a little to this-by reducing the barrier before buying them.
FaD: So, what exactly are the nutritional and wellness values of plant-based beverages?
AS: Plant-based drinks can offer a number of benefits, thanks to which many loyal fans come to them from year to year. First of all, they are naturally lactose-free and are fortified with vitamins and minerals such as calcium, vitamin D, B12 and folic acid. Depending on the type of drink, such as oatmeal, almond, or coconut, the nutritional content may vary.
For example, our flagship product Inka Oasis contains calcium, vitamins E, B6, B2, A, D, B12 and folic acid, without added sugar.
It's worth noting that customer value is also taste. Plant-based beverages offer more variety than traditional milk. Each type of plant-based drink presents a unique flavor profile, and we have at least a dozen of them on the market, from the best-selling oatmeal or almond flavor to the less popular pea or even potato.
FaD: Among Inka plant-based beverages, you can distinguish several product categories, for example, classic drinks (oatmeal, soy, almond...), flavored or the entire range of Inka Barista. Which of these drinks do Poles most often consume?
AS: My answer won't be a big surprise. Our number one taste is oatmeal from the classic line. Consumers appreciate it for its versatility and the possibility of universal use-from breakfast to "good morning", to cocktails or desserts. It has a delicate taste and the content of vitamins and minerals without added sugar makes it an ideal alternative to milk.
It is also worth noting that a growing number of consumers are turning to our Inka Barista line, which was created specifically for coffee lovers with fluffy foam. Drinks from this range are characterized by excellent foam, which is confirmed by Agnieszka Rojewska, the world champion in baristas.
In turn, flavored drinks are considered by our customers as a change in everyday life and the search for new interesting taste sensations. They have a smaller capacity, which makes them ideal on the road, at work or at school.
FaD: Do vegetable milk producers plan to surprise us with something else? Maybe Inka is working on new products that will soon appear on the Polish market?
AS: Of course! The plant-based beverage market is developing rapidly, and manufacturers are constantly looking for innovations that can meet the growing expectations of consumers. The Inka brand is also actively working on new products. We can't divulge all the details, but we are prioritizing the development of our beverages.
FaD: Agnieszka we sincerely thank you for your comprehensive answers. For all those who regularly consume plant-based milk or are just starting their journey with these products, on Plant-based Milk Day, we recommend that you evaluate the variety and taste of plant-based beverages!
AS: Thank you. The Day of Milk (or, more precisely, a plant-based drink) is a great opportunity to bring the world of beverages closer to consumers and show their dormant potential. Here, I would also like to thank all the consumers who choose our products and support the Inka brand. It is thanks to you that we can develop and bring new, innovative solutions to the market.
I wish you all a wonderful, "plant-based" holiday and lots of delicious, inspiring discoveries! Many of them can be found at inka.pl I recommend to check it out!
Junior specialist in Marketing Communications and PR.
He is a graduate of the University of Warsaw and the Main School of Agriculture. We have been in the HoReCa industry for more than 10 years. For many years, he has been associated with the Trip group, Sobienie Royal Golf and Country Club, and the Florentin Restaurant in Warsaw.
She graduated from the Faculty of Architecture of the Warsaw Technical University with a degree in Architecture for the Knowledge Society and Visual Communications at the Polytechnic University of Milan. A specialist in creating a mood. She has gained experience at home and abroad at numerous international seminars (Seville, Lisbon, Florence), fellowships at La Sapienza (Rome), etc. m.in. in Carmi e Ubertis and ADM Milano.
A manager with many years of experience in the cosmetics, food, and children's industries. During his career, he was associated with such companies as: L'Oreal, Samsung, Danone-Nutricia, Unilever. During his professional life, he was responsible, among other things, for the development of e-commerce sales and content in Poland and the countries of Central and Eastern Europe. 
