Ingredient Spotlight - Articles - Page 13

Exotic fruits offer function, clean labels

Exotic fruits sweeten beverages, boost immunity

May 16, 2016

Although the U.S. Dietary Guidelines encourage Americans to eat more fruit, more than half are traditional options, such as bananas, apples, strawberries and oranges. Yet, as the beverage landscape has gotten more complex and exotic fruits have become more mainstream, consumers are experimenting with exotic fruits, including guaraná, lychee, dragon fruit, tamarind, pomegranate and mango for their exotic appeal, natural sweetness and enhanced, functional capabilities, according to ingredient suppliers.

Hops deliver on beverage flavor trends

Craft beverages drive demand for a variety of hops

Amanda Del Buono

April 15, 2016

Consumers have become more open to new flavors and innovations as interest in health and wellness and consuming natural and organic products continues to grow.

Coffee flavors increase in functional, protein beverages

Use of coffee flavor driven by health and wellness

Amanda Del Buono

March 15, 2016

Thomas Jefferson was quoted as saying, “Coffee — the favorite drink of the civilized world.” Today, coffee remains a favorite beverage and flavor in the United States. As such, beverage-makers are using the flavor within a plethora of categories, including ready-to-drink (RTD) coffees, spirits and craft beers.

Prevention influences use of antioxidants in beverages

Clean-label, natural trends contribute as well

Jessica Jacobsen

January 15, 2016

At an annual wellness appointment, most doctors will preach about living a healthy lifestyle to help prevent the development of illnesses. As more consumers embrace this proactive approach, beverage-makers are seeking ingredients that can support this health-and-wellness trend.

Green, herbal teas experience growth

Tea ingredients focus on quality

Amanda Del Buono

December 15, 2015

As health-and-wellness trends proliferate in the marketplace, consumers demand products offering functional benefits as well as great flavor. Used for thousands of years, tea has been a popular go-to for many health-conscious consumers whether in bagged, ready-to-drink (RTD) or through non-traditional categories like sports drinks and spirits.

Plant-based protein ingredients grow in fortified beverages

Protein-fortified beverages continue to gain popularity in mainstream channels

Amanda Del Buono

November 16, 2015

Water is the most abundant element in the human body, a fact that many learn in grade school. But, water isn’t the element that builds muscles, hair, bone and many other tissues in the body — that would be protein.

Beverages heat things up with spicy ingredients

Beverage-makers adding hot and spicy ingredient to alcohol and non-alcohol drinks

Jessica Jacobsen

October 16, 2015

In the 1959 film “Some Like It Hot,” the comedic stylings of Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon offer an entertaining twist about two musicians who witness the Saint Valentine’s Day Massacre and dress in drag to avoid mafia gangsters.

Botanicals usage within beverages continues to grow

Teas popular botanicals used by beverage companies

Jessica Jacobsen

September 16, 2015

Consumers know the importance of health and wellness. According to a survey conducted by New York-based Nielsen, consumers not only recognize the need to institute a healthy lifestyle, they also are willing to pay for it.

Demand for citrus flavors growing

Millennials, health perceptions drive flavor growth in beverages

Stephanie Cernivec

August 14, 2015

Last year, the beverage industry set high expectations for citrus flavors. In particular, lemon was predicted to be one of the Top 3 best-selling flavors in 2014, according to respondents of Beverage Industry’s 2013 New Product Development Survey.

Honey receives sweet honor

Ingredient recognized for its versatility, functionality

Barbara Harfmann

July 16, 2015

The pop song “Sugar, Sugar” by The Archies contains the catchy line “Honey, honey, ah, sugar, sugar, you are my candy, girl, and you got me wanting you.” Although they weren’t singing about beverages, “honey, honey” is being used as a “sugar, sugar” substitute by beverage-makers and health-conscious consumers in hot and iced teas, water, and more.