UPDATE: A small coffee shop in San Jose, California, is making headlines as its signature Banana Cream Pie Latte goes viral, transforming the coffee landscape across the nation. Frank Nguyen, the owner of Academic Coffee, reported a sudden surge in demand that has left customers clamoring for this unique beverage.
Just last October, Nguyen’s team created the Banana Cream Pie Latte as a seasonal offering. After experimenting with flavors, a culinary expert added fresh bananas to their cream base, resulting in a drink reminiscent of banana cream pie. The addition of Biscoff cookie crumbles as a “crust” quickly captivated local coffee lovers. By early January 2025, lines formed out the door as the drink gained traction on TikTok, with videos amassing tens of thousands of views.
“We had no idea we were trending until customers told us they saw us on TikTok,” Nguyen said. The latte’s creamy texture and fresh ingredients drew rave reviews, with social media users praising its authentic taste. One TikTok user exclaimed, “They make their own banana cream with fresh bananas, so you don’t get that artificial taste.”
However, by April 2025, the overwhelming demand forced Nguyen to halt production. “We just couldn’t make enough banana,” he admitted. Fans took to TikTok to express their disappointment, leading to a flurry of emotional posts urging the cafe to bring the drink back. In response, Academic Coffee temporarily closed to upgrade its kitchen to meet demand and recently reintroduced the popular latte.
The banana latte trend has since sparked a wave of similar offerings across California and beyond, with many shops attempting to replicate Academic Coffee’s success. Data from ABC News confirms that while Dutch Bros. Coffee launched a similar drink a year prior, it was Academic Coffee’s version that truly ignited the viral sensation in early 2025. “Academic Coffee is likely the cause of the viral sensation of the banana cream latte,” noted data journalist Frank Esposito.
Nguyen took the phenomenon in stride, even discovering the drink featured at Disneyland during a recent visit with his daughter. “I tried it—I thought it was too sweet. But it’s all good. We’re happy to have helped do something big in the Bay Area,” he said.
In light of the drink’s success, Academic Coffee has launched new innovative beverages, including a guava matcha latte in collaboration with food influencer Eatsbyrachel. This vibrant drink features homemade guava jam and is already outpacing the banana latte in sales, although Nguyen confirmed it will only be available seasonally.
As the one-year anniversary of the Banana Cream Pie Latte approaches, Nguyen reflects on the journey of his cafe. “After nine years of working in coffee, it’s rewarding to see that people finally know who we are,” he expressed.
With the coffee world buzzing, Academic Coffee’s trajectory is a testament to the power of social media and community. As more customers seek out the viral sensation, all eyes will be on Nguyen and his team to see what they will create next.
