The Churro Chata Dairy-Free Ice Cream Sandwich is Award-Winning
Laura McQuarrie — April 7, 2026 — Lifestyle
References: klimon & prnewswire
KLIMON's Churro Chata dairy-free ice cream sandwich was named a 2026 Food and Beverage Innovation (FABI) Favorite by the National Restaurant Association Show, and PeaMilk (a combination of water and pea protein) is the primary ingredient in this creamy, horchata-flavored frozen dessert sandwich. "We're watching a fundamental shift in food culture," said Alex Cotraviwat, Founder and CEO of Klimon. "Desserts and beverages are no longer the add-on. They're becoming the reason people show up. The new expectation is indulgence without compromise. Cleaner ingredients, dairy-free options, and a premium experience that actually delivers."
KLIMON is set to showcase the award-winning, cinnamon-spiced, dairy-free Churro Chata frozen dessert sandwich, as well as its entire dairy-free product lineup, at the upcoming National Restaurant Association Show.
KLIMON is set to showcase the award-winning, cinnamon-spiced, dairy-free Churro Chata frozen dessert sandwich, as well as its entire dairy-free product lineup, at the upcoming National Restaurant Association Show.
Trend Themes
1. Dairy-free Indulgence - Rising consumer demand for decadence without dairy creates room for premium plant-based desserts that rival traditional ice cream in flavor and texture.
2. Plant-protein Bases - Pea-protein and other water-forward plant proteins are redefining base formulations, enabling creamy mouthfeel while delivering cleaner-label ingredient narratives.
3. Dessert-as-destination - With desserts becoming the primary reason for visits, experiential and signature frozen novelties are shifting dining traffic patterns and menu strategies.
Industry Implications
1. Food Manufacturing - Novel ingredient sourcing and processing techniques for pea-protein-based bases can upend production lines and create new categories of dairy-free frozen confections.
2. Foodservice and Restaurants - Operator emphasis on show-stopping, shareable desserts is altering menu engineering and customer flow dynamics within casual and specialty dining venues.
3. Packaging and Cold-chain - Evolving formats for premium frozen novelties and the need for extended shelf-stability introduce opportunities for innovative insulation, portioning, and distribution solutions.
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