Summer is the time of year when bars, ice cream parlours and hospitality venues have an opportunity to expand their offerings and tap into new consumption trends. Chilled creams, granitas, frappés, bubble tea and soft-serve ice cream are no longer simply alternatives to coffee, but valuable tools for increasing profitability and building customer loyalty.
For over twenty-five years, **Natfood** has been developing semi-finished products and solutions for the Ho.Re.Ca. sector, supporting thousands of businesses in creating beverages and preparations that keep pace with market trends. We discussed this with **Samantha Boretti**, the company’s Marketing Specialist, who shares insights into the products taking centre stage this summer and the new offerings set to be unveiled at RHS 2027.
**For those who are not yet familiar with Natfood, could you tell us who you are and what your mission is in the Ho.Re.Ca. sector?**
“Natfood specialises in the production of semi-finished products for preparing food and beverages exclusively for the Ho.Re.Ca. channel.
Our products can be found in bars, ice cream parlours, tea rooms, hotels, B&Bs and even large-scale venues such as amusement parks and water parks.
Our core business is coffee shop solutions, particularly **Gin-co**, our ginseng coffee brand, alongside **Orzeus**, our espresso barley coffee range. Around these products, we have developed a comprehensive portfolio that caters to consumers throughout the year: chilled creams, sorbets, granitas, teas, herbal infusions, hot chocolate and many other specialities, all supported by dedicated professional equipment.”
**Summer is the most important season for many businesses. Which products are essential on the menu of a bar or coffee shop today?**
“Summer is a particularly profitable season for many Italian hospitality businesses.
Among the most popular products are undoubtedly **chilled creams**, such as our **Cremosito**, which can be served as a coffee cream for a mid-morning or afternoon break, or as a coffee sorbet at the end of a meal.
Of course, granitas, sorbets, frappés and soft-serve ice cream are also must-haves.
However, the real innovation for summer 2026 is our **Fruit Creams** range: chilled creams prepared in a slush machine using a neutral base that is both gluten-free and lactose-free, enriched with our Da Vinci fruit purées in strawberry, mango, peach, exotic fruit and red berry flavours. The result is a fresh, light and refreshing product, with a texture similar to sorbet or ice cream, perfect for the hottest days.”
**If we were to create the ideal summer menu for an entire day, which products would you recommend for different consumption occasions?**
“The day can start with a refreshing breakfast featuring **Yo Cream**, our yoghurt-flavoured chilled cream, served with fresh fruit, fruit salad, honey or dried fruit and nuts.
After lunch, the star is **Cremosito**, a cool and creamy coffee break.
In the afternoon, there is plenty of choice: fruit- or cream-flavoured **frappés**, **bubble tea**, particularly popular with younger consumers, and, of course, **granita**, one of summer’s great classics, loved by adults and children alike.
For the evening, we recommend cocktails and mocktails made with our **Da Vinci fruit purées**, which are also perfect for anyone looking for a non-alcoholic alternative.”
**Today, product quality alone is no longer enough. How important is presentation in shaping the customer experience?**
“It is extremely important. That is why Natfood supports its customers not only with products and equipment, but also with dedicated communication materials, including posters, menus, signs and display stands that help consumers discover new offerings within the venue.
We also supply all the necessary serving accessories, such as glasses, cups and espresso cups, specifically designed
