Purple Drop, a beverage brand bringing Chicha Morada—a traditional Peruvian drink made from purple corn—to U.S. shelves, has been named a 2026 Startup CPG Shelfie Award winner. The recognition arrives roughly five months after the brand launched its shelf-stable canned beverages in May 2026. Founded by husband-and-wife team Roger and Maria Velasquez, Purple Drop aims to introduce contemporary U.S. consumers to the Peruvian staple through modern packaging and retail distribution. "Our mission is simple: make Chicha Morada as recognizable and accessible in the U.S. as other globally inspired beverages that have successfully crossed into the mainstream," the brand said in a statement. Since launch, Purple Drop has expanded through retail partnerships, community events, e-commerce channels, and industry trade exposure. The Velasquezes bring nearly two decades of combined marketing and brand-building experience to the venture.
Why It Matters
The award underscores growing operator and consumer appetite for authentic, culturally rooted beverages positioned outside traditional soft drink categories. For retailers and foodservice operators, Chicha Morada represents a differentiated SKU in the functional/ethnic beverage segment—a category that has continued to gain shelf space as U.S. consumers seek less mainstream drink options.
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Written by FBM Publications Editors
