Air Coffee Revolution: Starbucks’ AeroCano vs. Other Brands – Which One Wins?

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Air coffee — iced Americanos with injected air to soften the throat and create a silky foam — is fast becoming the next big thing in South Korea’s coffee scene. Starbucks’ Aeroccano, launched last month, sold over 1 million cups in just a week, breaking the chain’s record for the fastest-selling iced beverage. Franchise rivals like Paik’s Coffee and Compose Coffee have rolled out their own air-infused options, sparking what looks like an industrywide \”air\” race.

According to industry sources, Starbucks debuted the Aeroccano here last month as a global first, and sales hit 1 million cumulative cups within seven days. That works out to roughly 9,500 cups an hour — about 2.6 cups a second — making it the chain’s second best-selling item in that span after the Americano and quickly elevating it to a signature pick. That pace even topped other recent million-cup launches, like the Iced Sugar Cream Latte (9 days) and the Iced Black Glazed Latte (10 days).

The Aeroccano blends espresso shots and ice with injected air to form a fine foam layer. It preserves the Americano’s bold, slightly bitter profile while delivering a lighter, smoother mouthfeel. The foam’s cascading effect — bubbles drifting from top to bottom — adds a visually satisfying element that’s piqued consumer curiosity.

The trend has rippled across franchises. On the 19th, Paik’s Coffee introduced a season-limited Air Foam Americano, topping the drink with a dense foam layer and offering add-ins like honey, hazelnut, or brown sugar syrup to expand taste options. Compose Coffee joined on the 20th with its Airy Americano, which uses a micro-air layer to create a creamy texture and positions the drink as an everyday, easy-to-enjoy option thanks to its gentle throat feel.

Tasting all three side by side reveals distinct personalities despite the shared concept. The foam textures vary: Paik’s Coffee produces a very fine, dense foam with an ultra-smooth impression, while Compose Coffee’s foam has slightly larger bubbles and a lighter mouthfeel. Starbucks stands out for how much air it injects — the Aeroccano mixes air throughout the drink, not just on the surface, so it feels most true to its name. Its cascading foam effect was also the most pronounced.

Foam longevity differed, too. Starbucks’ layer held up almost until the cup was finished, with bubbles visible between the ice. The other two brands’ air layers dissipated more quickly. The signature silky throat sensation of air coffee is strongest right after preparation; as time passes, the difference from a regular iced Americano becomes less noticeable.
 

Pricewise, Starbucks’ Aeroccano is 4,900 KRW (approximately $3.68) for a tall, 200 KRW (approximately $0.15) more than a regular iced Americano (4,700 KRW (approximately $3.53)). Compose Coffee’s Airy Americano is 2,300 KRW (approximately $1.73) — 500 KRW (approximately $0.38) above its standard Americano — and Paik’s Coffee’s Air Foam Americano is 2,200 KRW (approximately $1.65), 200 KRW (approximately $0.15) higher than its usual version.

All three brands focus more on using air to change the drinking experience than on altering bean flavors. The strategy tweaks the sensory feel of the drink rather than the coffee’s core taste or recipe.

The industry’s emphasis on \”air\” reflects structural features of the domestic coffee market. With a year-round preference for iced coffee — the so-called 얼죽아 trend — brands feel pressure to introduce variety within the same Americano category. Starbucks says iced drinks have accounted for over 70% of its domestic Americano sales each year for the past three years.

Social media is also accelerating the shift. Fine foam and flowing visuals are highly shareable in photos and video, generating organic buzz. Aeroccano’s launch sparked a wave of online posts and reviews that boosted awareness quickly. Crucially, injecting air lets brands deliver a noticeable sensory change without overhauling beans or recipes, making it an efficient move.

An industry insider said, “Air coffee isn’t just a simple flavor tweak. It’s about designing a multi-sensory experience — a smoother throat feel, visual play from the foam — and that’s the real appeal.”