UPDATE: A viral sensation has taken the coffee world by storm, thanks to the innovative team at Academic Coffee in downtown San Jose, California. The café’s signature creation, the Banana Cream Pie Latte, has transformed from a seasonal offering to a national trend, captivating coffee enthusiasts everywhere.
The drink was launched in October 2024 as a holiday special, but it quickly became clear that it was more than just a seasonal treat. Frank Nguyen, owner of Academic Coffee, recalls the moment his team experimented with a banana-infused cream base that would change everything. “We created this base cream, and our head culinary expert suggested adding banana. The whole team loved it,” Nguyen stated.
As soon as the drink hit the menu, it generated immediate buzz among regulars, prompting Nguyen to keep it available beyond the holiday season. By early January 2025, lines formed out the door, fueled by social media buzz. “We were talking to new customers, and they mentioned seeing us on TikTok. We had no idea!” Nguyen said, reflecting on the surge of interest.
The drink’s popularity skyrocketed as TikTok users filmed their first sips and shared reviews across the platform. One user exclaimed, “So good! They make their own banana cream with fresh bananas, so you don’t get that artificial taste.” The excitement was palpable, with videos amassing tens of thousands of views, further propelling the drink into the spotlight.
However, by April 2025, overwhelming demand led Academic Coffee to temporarily halt production of the Banana Cream Pie Latte. Nguyen admitted, “We just couldn’t make enough banana. People were getting upset that we were sold out.” The team took a short break to retrofit their kitchens to accommodate the skyrocketing demand before reintroducing the drink.
During the hiatus, the banana latte trend spread like wildfire, inspiring coffee shops across California and beyond to launch similar banana cream beverages. According to data from ABC News, search interest in “banana cream latte” peaked in January 2025, coinciding with Academic Coffee’s viral success.
While Nguyen acknowledges that others have attempted to replicate the banana cream latte, he maintains that Academic Coffee was a significant catalyst for the trend. “I even saw it at Disneyland,” he laughed, sharing how he discovered the drink during a family visit.
The surge in popularity has also led to new beverage innovations at Academic Coffee. Collaborating with food influencer Eatsbyrachel, the café recently launched a vibrant guava matcha latte, featuring homemade guava jam and matcha—a drink that is currently outselling the banana latte. However, Nguyen insists it will remain a seasonal offering.
Reflecting on the impact of the Banana Cream Pie Latte, Nguyen stated, “After nine years of working in coffee, it’s rewarding to see that people finally know who we are.” As the coffee community continues to buzz with excitement, one thing is clear: the Banana Cream Pie Latte is more than just a drink; it represents a cultural moment that has left a mark on the beverage landscape.
Stay tuned for updates as Academic Coffee continues to innovate and inspire coffee lovers everywhere.
