When decorating one’s first home, the phrase “less is more” often is celebrated by minimalist designers who are encouraging homeowners not to overdo it when it comes to décor. In the beverage market, less is more is taking on another meaning as more consumers are seeking beverages that contain less sugar. Yet, as beverage formulators adjust to these evolving palate trends, flavor houses are recognizing the new normal of providing low- and no-sugar products while still preserving taste profiles.
“With 71 percent of consumers looking at the sugar content on the nutritional facts panel the consumer drive for sugar reduction has, and continues to, greatly impact the beverage market,” says Nina Riggins, marketing manager of Taste for Kerry, Beloit, Wis., citing 2017 Kerry Primary Research. “Consumers want reduced sugar products, but aren’t willing to sacrifice on taste. Therefore, taste solutions are critical in navigating the complex space of reduced sugar beverages. Some of these challenges can be tackled with a combination of natural flavors and extracts with flavor modulation tools that restore sweetness perceptions and mouthfeel that is lost in reduced sugar beverages.”