When it comes to fashion, the saying “What’s old is new again” can be used quite frequently. And when it comes to beverage formulation, that same adage still applies. According to Beverage Industry’s 2012 New Product Development Survey published in January, many traditional flavors were among the top flavors used in 2012 with three popular citrus fruits landing in the Top 10. As the No. 3 top flavor, lemon was used by 49 percent of respondents. Coming in at No. 8 and No. 9, orange and lime were utilized by 46 and 43 percent of respondents, respectively.
“The market for citrus continues to demonstrate growth; we believe that to be primarily due to consumer preferences for natural flavors or natural products, and citrus, in particular, does well with that underlined preference due to the versatility of citrus and its wide user acceptance across cultures,” says Douglas Rash, vice president of global sales for Treatt, Lakeland, Fla.