The Best of 2025
THE Best in
Food & Beverage
Recognizing producers and brands that elevate food and beverage to exceptional standards through quality, innovation, and sustainable practices.
2025 Edition
The Best Food & Beverage of the Year — 2025 Edition
Celebrating 101 exceptional food & beverage brands driving innovation in functional nutrition, sustainability, plant-based alternatives, and premium gastronomy.
| Brand |
|---|
OLIPOP United States Prebiotic soda with plant fiber reaching $1.85B valuation - functional health meets nostalgic taste |
Poppi United States Apple cider vinegar prebiotic soda securing $2B PepsiCo deal - gut health revolution |
Liquid Death United States Canned water with 550% 5-year growth - edgy branding disrupting beverage category |
Beyond Meat United States Sun Sausage - first plant-based product not mimicking meat with 4-ingredient simplicity |
Impossible Foods United States NSF Certified for Sport status - athletic performance validation for plant-based protein |
Oatly Sweden Barista Edition oat milk - leading plant-based dairy with superior foam for coffee |
Califia Farms United States 100% recycled plastic (rPET) bottles across all products - sustainability milestone |
Chomps United States Clean-label meat sticks - transparent protein sourcing for wellness-minded consumers |
Melinda's United States Craft hot sauces with fresh vegetables and real pepper pulp - layered heat innovation |
DASH Water United Kingdom Wonky fruit sparkling water - upcycling 40% of discarded UK produce into £35M brand |
Blue Stripes United States Whole-pod cacao utilization - 70% waste reduction through shell-to-fruit innovation |
Tuggs United Kingdom Insect-based dog food - 95% less land/water/carbon than traditional pet nutrition |
Bay's Kitchen United Kingdom Low-FODMAP IBS-friendly sauces - digestive health accessible convenience foods |
DONE United Kingdom 5-vegetable-portion ready meals - nutritionally complete convenience with NHS backing |
Biovit United Kingdom Plant-extracted micronutrients with AI-powered personalization for NHS trials |
Karviva United States Unwined wine replacement drinks - alcohol-free Malbec & Rosé alternatives |
Nespresso Switzerland Reviving Origins program - supporting small-scale farmers and biodiversity |
Celsius United States Essential energy drinks with thermogenic benefits - functional fitness beverage leader |
Fairlife United States Ultra-filtered high-protein milk - 50% more protein with 50% less sugar |
Premier Protein United States 30g protein shakes for on-the-go lifestyles - muscle recovery convenience |
Tony's Chocolonely Netherlands Slave-free cocoa supply chain - fighting exploitation with traceable chocolate |
Juicy Marbles Slovenia Meaty Meat vegan lamb - 34g protein per portion using 3D fiber technology |
vEEF Australia Carbon-neutral plant-based meats - competitive pricing with 50% less plastic packaging |
Redefine Meat Israel 3D-printed whole cuts - replicating texture/flavor of premium steaks |
Quorn United Kingdom Mycoprotein-based alternatives - sustainable fermentation for meat texture |
MorningStar Farms United States Incogmeato line - plant-based proteins mimicking beef texture for flexitarians |
Gardein Canada Plant-based chicken filets - 23g protein with authentic poultry texture |
Tofurky United States Tofu-based deli slices - ethical vegan alternatives since 1980 |
Eat JUST United States Cultivated chicken and plant-based egg - cellular agriculture breakthrough |
The Vegetarian Butcher Netherlands Unilever plant-based meats - mainstream accessibility for meat alternatives |
Heura Foods Spain Mediterranean plant-based proteins - unique flavor profiles with sustainability focus |
Planted Switzerland Whole-cut plant chicken - fermentation and structuring technology |
Miyoko's Creamery United States Artisan vegan cheese and butter - cultured nut-based dairy alternatives |
Violife Greece Dairy-free cream cheese blocks - lactose/gluten/soy/nut-free with Travis Barker endorsement |
Health-Ade Kombucha United States Organic kombucha with live probiotics - gut health through natural fermentation |
Remedy Kombucha Australia Sugar-free kombucha - authentic fermentation for microbiome diversity |
Activia France Probiotic yogurt with Bifidus regularis - digestive wellness from Danone |
Yakult Japan Lactobacillus casei Shirota strain - scientifically validated gut balance |
Ben & Jerry's United States Fairtrade-certified ingredients - climate-conscious ice cream with social justice |
Patagonia Provisions United States Regeneratively farmed foods - outdoor apparel company's sustainable food line |
Whole Foods Market United States Local farm partnerships - regional sourcing with 365 organic private label |
Yeo Valley Organic United Kingdom British dairy with organic farming - family-owned sustainability commitment |
Lavazza Italy Tierra! regenerative coffee - community development and biodiversity focus |
Stone Brewing United States Craft coffee line from beer heritage - Arrogant Bastard and Xocoveza inspired roasts |
Quest Nutrition United States Complete protein bars - muscle repair with essential amino acids messaging |
Grenade United Kingdom Carb Killa bars - high protein, low sugar for active lifestyles |
Huel United Kingdom Nutritionally complete meal replacements - plant-based convenience with minimal impact |
Core Power United States High-protein milk shakes - 26g protein for post-workout recovery |
Nestlé Switzerland Precision fermentation proteins - sustainable ingredient innovation at scale |
PepsiCo United States Mountain Dew redesign with functional beverages - gaming and energy convergence |
The Coca-Cola Company United States Entering prebiotic soda market - responding to OLIPOP/Poppi disruption |
Danone France Evian circular brand 2025 pledge - 100% recycled plastic bottles achieved |
Unilever United Kingdom Plant-based transformation across brands - Magnum, Hellmann's sustainability |
Mondelez International United States Cell-cultured cocoa development - climate-resilient chocolate sourcing |
Mars United States $35.9B Kellanova acquisition - premium snacking portfolio expansion |
Tru Fru United States Frozen chocolate-covered fruit - white and dark chocolate raspberry innovation |
Ferrero Italy Vegan Nutella - chickpea and rice syrup replacing dairy across Europe |
Lindt Switzerland Excellence line with sustainable cocoa - premium chocolate with traceability |
Valrhona France Grand Cru chocolate with terroir expression - professional chocolatier favorite |
Dick Taylor Craft Chocolate United States Tanzania 65% dark with scholarship program - supporting women-run farms |
Amedei Italy Chuao single-origin - world's finest bean-to-bar artisan chocolate |
Mast Brothers United States Brooklyn bean-to-bar - craft chocolate with artistic minimalist packaging |
Momofuku United States Chili Crunch and restaurant-grade pantry goods - David Chang's flavor empire |
NUGGS United States Advanced soy protein texture simulation - hyper-realistic plant-based nuggets |
Gozney United Kingdom Portable pizza ovens - chef-endorsed premium home cooking equipment |
Patrón Mexico Cristalino tequila with Live Nation festivals - 27,000+ cocktails at Dreamville |
Corona Mexico 100th Anniversary Beach 100 campaign - Olympic sponsorship and travel sweepstakes |
Sprite United States Obey Your Thirst campaign reinvention - new generation talent partnerships |
Heinz United States Mustard line expansion - ketchup brand diversification strategy |
Kellogg's (Kellanova) United States Snacking powerhouse post-cereal spinoff - Pringles, Pop-Tarts, Eggo focus |
General Mills United States Blue Buffalo pet food growth - premium natural ingredients expansion |
Conagra Brands United States Birds Eye and Healthy Choice - value-oriented frozen food strategy |
Maple Leaf Foods Canada Plant-based protein expansion - sustainable meat and alternative protein leader |
Tyson Foods United States Hybrid meat products - blending animal and plant proteins for flexitarians |
Amy's Kitchen United States Organic vegetarian frozen meals - family-owned natural food pioneer since 1987 |
Simple Foods United States Clean-label plant proteins - minimalist ingredient transparency |
Sunfed New Zealand Pea-based chicken alternative - antipodean plant protein innovation |
VBites United Kingdom Europe's largest vegan brand - extensive meat/cheese alternative range |
Kraft Heinz Not Company United States NotHotDogs and NotSausages launch - joint venture plant-based expansion |
Yo Egg United States Sunny-side up analog - retail expansion of vegan liquid egg and yolk |
Wonder Veggies United States Probiotic-infused produce - bringing good bacteria to the produce aisle |
Melt&Marble Sweden Precision-fermented fats - yeast-derived marbling for plant-based meats |
Lidl Vemondo Plant! United Kingdom 25% plant protein by 2030 goal - affordable vegan accessibility |
FERIDIES United States Gourmet Virginia peanuts - Southern heritage snack with premium positioning |
California Olive Ranch United States Extra-virgin olive oil from sustainable California groves - domestic EVOO leader |
Zingerman's United States Ann Arbor artisan food community - deli, bakery, creamery excellence since 1982 |
Zabar's United States NYC gourmet institution - 90 years of specialty foods and gift baskets |
Dean & DeLuca United States Luxury gourmet retail - curated international delicacies |
Fauchon France Parisian luxury gastronomy - premium tea, pastries, and confections |
Fortnum & Mason United Kingdom Royal warrant gourmet grocer - British heritage luxury hampers since 1707 |
Eataly Italy Italian marketplace experience - authentic regional products with dining |
La Grande Épicerie France Le Bon Marché gourmet hall - Parisian luxury food destination |
Harrods Food Halls United Kingdom Knightsbridge luxury provisions - premium global delicacies curation |
KaDeWe Feinschmecker Germany Berlin's gourmet floor - Continental Europe's finest food hall |
Peck Italy Milan gastronomic temple - Italian specialty foods since 1883 |
Culina Singapore COMO Group fine foods - premium meats, seafood, artisan cheese since 1994 |
The Chocolate Factory United States Ultra-premium artisan bars - single-origin coffee and culinary experiences |
Cocoa Runners United Kingdom 100+ craft chocolate makers curated - farm-to-bar with tasting subscriptions |
Rural Route 1 Popcorn United States Wisconsin Driftless Area gourmet popcorn - farm-to-bag Midwestern tradition |
Whitley's Peanut Factory United States Hand-cooked Virginia peanuts - Southern small-batch craftsmanship since 1986 |
Goode Company United States Texas BBQ and specialty foods - slow-smoked meats with Gulf Coast authenticity |
Selection Standards
Excellence Criteria
Our industry-specific criteria ensure that only the most deserving receive THE Best distinction in Food & Beverage.
01
Product quality
02
Sourcing ethics
03
Innovation
04
Brand authenticity
05