Advancements in masking solutions help elevate functional beverages
Sugar reduction, sustainable protein aid in masking utilization
As more consumers look at beverages as more than just a vehicle for sustenance and hydration, but also as a utility to perform daily tasks, new product development is taking on binary roles. “Consumer demand for functional beverages is growing at least in part because there is dual value of refreshment and fortification,” says Casey McCormick, director of product development at Sweegen, Rancho Santa Margarita, Calif. “This surge has opened opportunities for new products and brands to produce fortified beverages with a ‘health halo,’ yet a feeling of indulgence or satisfaction.”
However, McCormick explains that these dual-purpose beverages can complicate taste profiles.