Banana Coffee: From 1970s Korean Banana Milk to Today’s Global Coffee Trend
Dubai, September 8, 2025 (Qahwa World) – Strange at first glance yet irresistible in taste, banana coffee is the latest drink captivating coffee lovers worldwide. While many assume it is a brand-new invention born on social media, this quirky yet comforting beverage has its roots in 1970s South Korea, when banana milk became a national icon. Today, the drink is enjoying a renaissance as it sweeps across cafés, kitchens, and digital platforms globally.
A nostalgic beginning: Banana milk in Korea
The story of banana coffee cannot be told without tracing back to 1974, when the Korean food company Binggrae launched banana-flavored milk. At the time, the government sought to promote dairy consumption in the aftermath of war, and bananas were rare and expensive. Blending banana flavor into milk made the product aspirational, fun, and nutritious.
Banana milk quickly became part of Korean childhood and culture. By 2010, Binggrae was selling around 800,000 bottles per day, and total sales exceeded 5.3 billion bottles. As the Korean Wave (Hallyu) spread worldwide, banana milk also traveled abroad. In the U.S., Japan, and Southeast Asia, the drink became a hit, fueled further when BTS’s Jungkook was spotted drinking it in viral clips. Exports jumped from 700 million won in 2010 (~$509,000 USD) to 15 billion won in 2013 (~$10.9M USD), cementing banana milk as a global product.
From banana milk to banana coffee
This cultural legacy laid the foundation for banana coffee. Just as orange, cherry, and berry notes have long been associated with specialty coffee, banana found its place as a natural complement.
The ripe fruit’s natural sweetness and creamy texture soften the bold bitterness of coffee, producing a balanced, smooth drink. Beyond flavor, bananas add real health benefits: potassium, fiber, and blood-sugar regulation, making banana coffee both indulgent and wholesome.
The digital boom and viral moment
Banana coffee’s recent explosion owes much to TikTok and Instagram, where short videos showcasing frothy banana lattes and iced banana coffees have gone viral.
According to Yelp, consumer interest has skyrocketed:
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Searches for “banana bread latte” rose 6,267% year-over-year.
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“Banana latte” searches climbed 1,573%.
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“Banana coffee” itself surged 348%.
What started as quirky user-generated content quickly evolved into a mainstream movement, as people across the globe experimented with recipes and shared their creations online.
From indie cafés to corporate giants
Independent cafés in Asia, Europe, and North America have been quick to put banana coffee on their summer menus. But larger players are also joining the trend. Starbucks, for example, has begun testing a banana-flavored protein cold foam in select markets, positioning banana coffee as more than just a fleeting fad.
Flavor experts explain its appeal: banana adds natural sweetness and body without overpowering coffee’s complexity. It offers nostalgia for those familiar with Korean banana milk while introducing novelty for global audiences.
Easy recipes to try at home
One reason for banana coffee’s global popularity is how easy it is to prepare at home.
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Quick Iced Banana Latte: Dissolve 2 tablespoons of instant coffee in a splash of hot water. Add ice cubes, pour in about 10–12 ounces (300 ml) of banana milk, and shake vigorously. The result is creamy, frothy, and café-quality with almost no effort.
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Classic Espresso Latte with Banana Milk: Pull two shots of espresso with your favorite beans. Add a teaspoon of sugar if desired, stir in the hot espresso, then add ice. Top with banana milk, stir again, and enjoy a smooth, layered drink perfect for warm afternoons or after dinner.
These simple recipes make the trend accessible to anyone, regardless of whether they own an espresso machine.
A bridge between nostalgia and modernity
Banana coffee is more than just a quirky social media hit. It represents the blending of nostalgia with innovation. Rooted in Korea’s 1970s banana milk culture, the drink now resonates with a generation that craves both authenticity and novelty. Its nutritional edge, viral appeal, and commercial adoption suggest it could remain on menus far longer than typical internet fads.
As global coffee culture continues to evolve, banana coffee stands as proof that sometimes the most unexpected combinations deliver the richest stories — and the most refreshing flavors.
